Alyssa Crouson

I strongly believe in the Seussian insight that nothing will ever change unless someone cares enough to do something about it. The cause that I feel most passionate about is environmental conservation and justice, I want a profession created to protect and empower the earth and the people on it. Sustainability and being a vessel for change is what gives me purpose. The Climate Change and Society program made the most sense for me and my career plans. I have been striving to fulfill my purpose of environmental stewardship, and by joining this program I am able to expand my knowledge and learn valuable skills for future jobs in sustainable project management. I completed my bachelors in English and political science with a minor in environmental science at NC State. Since doing so, I have committed my time to learning all that I can so that I can educate and prepare businesses and individuals on climate change and all the pressing externalities.

Rehana Hassan

I am a resident of Balochistan, the largest province in Pakistan. I have earned both graduate degrees in Environmental science. Currently I am enrolled in the Climate Change and Society program. It is a privilege for me to have been selected from Sardar Bahadur Khan Women’s University Quetta for a project called “Developing the generation of female environmentalists.” When considering my interests I have always found comfort in the landscapes of my region, which range from mountains to vast deserts and long coastal areas. However beneath this beauty lie climate challenges such as unpredictable monsoons, prolonged droughts and encroaching desertification caused by climate change. These challenges directly impact the safety and livelihoods of communities which drives my determination to address them. My journey in this field is dedicated to understanding and tackling these climate issues by seeking solutions. My ultimate goal is to protect Balochistan’s environment and improve the lives of its residents.

Addie Jackson

I have spent my voice focusing on democratizing access to science and aiding in the facilitation of climate action and aiding in the generalized education on science. Whether it was summers I spent at camp providing experiential learning opportunities to children to reduce fear and develop a desire to learn about the environment or the hands on climate activism I’ve done with the Fridays for Future campaign, utilizing the ways in which talking about and promoting the needs of climate action have been such a joy for me. This led to my academic pursuits of Environmental Studies and Strategic Communications at High Point University for my undergraduate degree as well as my admittance into this program. I hope to build my understanding of communicating the issues of climate change and accomplish research as to what role the narratives we promote and tell ourselves about climate change have to play in solving the climate crisis.

Lily Johnson

I have always had a deep respect for the ocean and the environment. I grew up spending most summers and holidays with my family at our cottage on a tiny island in the Outer Banks of NC, which instilled in me a respect and passion for the ocean and all it provides from an early age. My grandparents, who lived on the island, taught me how important it is to utilize and preserve the natural resources that the earth and the ocean provide for us. I have always carried that knowledge with me and made every effort to pass it on, especially in my academic career. I graduated in May 2022 with my Bachelor’s in English and Political Science and a certificate in Business and Technical Communication from East Carolina University. During my undergraduate and beginning graduate career, I took part in a field study in the Outer Banks of NC gauging local education and opinions on climate change and I also studied abroad on the northern coast of Ireland studying sustainable farming and renewable energy sources. These experiences helped me to better understand the climate, social, and political issues we are facing today. After graduating, I took some time off from studying and moved up to Martha’s Vineyard to work as a bus driver for the Vineyard Transit Authority. Living on an island so close to the ocean and surrounded by such immense scenery has really solidified how much I want to do everything I can to protect our climate and natural resources, and I know that studying in the CCS program is a step in the right direction. I am excited to deepen my knowledge and understanding of our climate and natural resources so that I am better prepared to advocate for it in the future.

Nathan Lee

Like many other students in the CCS program, my formative years lead me to a deep appreciation of the environment. Spending my adolescent years in the Boy Scouts of America and rising to the rank of Eagle Scout, I had the pleasure of spending my time throughout the US in the outdoors. For my undergraduate studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, I chose to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies due to my interest in helping preserve those same opportunities for further generations. Under the CCS Master’s program at NCSU I would like to expand on my knowledge so I can be more impactful towards a sustainable future.

Mark Massing

Dr. Massing received his BS in computer science at Florida Atlantic University and then earned an MS in Public Health from UNC-Chapel Hill, an MD from Duke University and PhD in epidemiology at UNC-CH. He joined the program to learn more about climate change and its implications for the health sector.

Uzma Miraj

I am from the Northern Areas of Pakistan. I pursued my Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences from Fatima Jinnah Women University Rawalpindi, Pakistan. My dedication to environmental studies and my passion for the natural world began during my childhood. Growing up, I observed various changes in the environment around me, such as glacier retreat, fluctuations in crop production, soil erosion, and variations in river water levels. These observations fueled my curiosity and desire to understand the complexities of climate and associated environmental changes. Currently, I am enrolled in an incredible opportunity, a fully-funded scholarship to pursue my MS in Climate Change and Society at North Carolina State University. I am thrilled about this opportunity to study aspects of climate and environmental changes at a renowned institution like North Carolina State University.

Emily Ogburn

I received my undergraduate degrees in Ecological Science and English from University of Kentucky and my master’s in Ecology from State University of New York—Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, New York. I have spent my career conducting scientific research in the fields of wildlife ecology and agricultural entomology. I joined the CCS program to learn more about climate change science and communication because I believe climate change is the greatest scientific issue of our time. As we move forward on climate change policy, it is crucial that social and environmental justice is an integral part of the process. I am excited to learn more about climate change science, communications, and policy and the important connections among all three.

Hunter Reed

My fascination with the natural world has been a quiet influence for the majority of my life while growing up in Charlotte, NC, so I chose to pursue an undergraduate degree in geosciences to better understand anthropogenic climate change. After receiving such a science-driven education, I was in search of a graduate program that provided more balance between the societal implications and mitigation avenues with the the most up-to-date climate science, and the Climate Change & Society program has met that need. As a military spouse, I’ve been fortunate to have traveled to several states and countries during my undergraduate studies that all exhibit the impacts of a changing climate. It is my hope to work as an intermediary between the scientific realm and the public to strike realistic solutions for the current climate crisis.

Alexandra Steele

Alexandra Steele has more than 20 years’ experience as an on-air meteorologist. She has worked both nationally and in local television markets forecasting the weather. She spent over ten years as an evening anchor on The Weather Channel as well as an on-air meteorologist at CNN. She also spent years in Atlanta, Georgia (WANF), in Washington, DC (WJLA) and in Hartford-New Haven (WTNH) markets. Alexandra is a member of the American Meteorological Society and has earned the Television Seal of Approval. She is also an Emmy-nominated meteorologist. Alexandra graduated from Brown University with a Bachelor of Arts and Science and has a Masters Degree in Journalism from Northwestern University. She completed her Meteorology Degree in Connecticut concurrent to working at WJLA-TV. Prior to her on-air television work, she worked in both London and New York City for ABC News. Alexandra is married and has a daughter and is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Climatology.

Kenyon Taylor

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.

Meharwar Uppal

As an environmentalist, I was always interested in having a scientific understanding of all the climatic events, how they are interrelated, and how we can find a logical solution within the given resource. In my undergraduate studies, I opted for environmental science to perfectly land for climate change studies and pursue it as a profession. Coming from Pakistan, which is the eighth country worst affected by climate change, I did my undergraduate research work on heat waves. I’ve worked with many organizations including WWF Pakistan, PDMA Punjab, Resilient Future International, and Pak Green Enviro Engineering Pvt. Ltd. To polish my skills, I found the Climate Change and Society program a perfect match for my dreams and aspirations. I was so fortunate to be selected for a fully funded master’s degree under the project, “Developing the Next Generation of Female Environmentalists.” I have also been Vice Chairman Pak Youth Society and Secretary Society for Environmental Actions (SEA), LCWU back in my country. Now I’m aiming to learn more about these extreme climatic events, and their compound effects for instance, of heat waves, and how I can effectively play my role in bridging the gap between climate change literacy and the broader public.

Vahely Vega

Since I was young, I have been passionate about science and the environment. However, it wasn’t until I studied at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, that I realized I could address these aspects through journalism —a tool that connects information to society to generate responsible social actions. With that in mind, I completed my bachelor’s degree in Journalism with a second major in Physical and Environmental Geography in 2023, a combination driven by my desire to understand the human relationship with nature and communicate it effectively to others. Following my graduation, I was determined to continue studying, and after a long time searching for graduate programs aligned with my interests, I found the Climate Change & Society master’s program, and I thought: “This is it!”. Now, I’m filled with excitement for this new academic adventure and the upcoming learning opportunities. I believe the CCS program will be a rewarding experience that will significantly impact my goal of researching and communicating all that englobes the climate subject in an accessible and actional way. Particularly, for disadvantaged communities and in my first language, Spanish.

Shonni Wiggins
My fascination with climate change began in middle school while attending math and science camp at the School of Math Science in Durham, NC.  Also, living in eastern North Carolina I have experienced how hurricanes, tornadoes, and flooding can be devastating.  I have seen how these weather events have worsened over the years and their impact on vulnerable communities in my area.  I have a B.S in Environmental Studies from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.  While attending NCAT my advisor encouraged me to learn more about the Climate Change and Society Program at NC State to further my interest in climate change.  I enrolled in the Climate Change and Society program because I want to learn more about the science behind the changes in our climate.  Upon receiving my degree, I would like to apply it to a career working with at-risk communities affected by climate change.

Collin Yates

I’m a graduate student in the Climate Change and Society program at N.C. State University, where I previously earned my Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences from the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources. Passionate about bridging policy and data analysis, I apply my skills to projects at the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, focusing on water resources and climate change. My interest is deeply rooted in the integration of scientific knowledge with practical applications. Through the CCS program, I aim to deepen my understanding of climate change’s societal impact and collaborate with peers and professionals to drive effective and actionable solutions.