North Carolina has a plethora of amazing natural elements such as our mountains and seas and everything in between! Growing up here, I didn’t realize just how special our natural surroundings truly are and how important they are to every other aspect of our lives. I recently graduated from the University of North Carolina at Asheville with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Management and Policy. By choosing that program, I was able to learn about the environment from its natural side and from the political and economic viewpoint. I am so excited to continue my education and join the Climate Change and Society program here at NC State University to better understand climatological features and the impact humans are having on them. I hope to leave this program with the knowledge to make a difference and protect our environment.