Students
Students in the CCS Masters program come from a variety of backgrounds and investigate the interface between climate change and society at different scales and in different forms. Half of them are full-time students and the other half are part-time.
Certificate Program students include recent graduates of Bachelor’s programs and a number of mid-career individuals from industry leaders such as the Weather Channel.
In their own words
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.
Sascha Godfrey
For much of my life, my interests have been divided between climatology, animal welfare, and medicine, and I felt imminent pressure to pick just one discipline as the object of my career. Despite this, I always knew that choosing only one of these fields would leave me exceptionally unsatisfied. At NC State, I was exposed to the idea of One Health, which is a public health approach that emphasizes the connection between the health of humans, animals, and the environment. After realizing that one can study the integral role that climate science plays on public health, I chose to enroll in the Masters of Climate Change and Society. The interdisciplinary nature of the CCS program allured me for its blend of climatology, public policy, and communications courses. Currently, I am completing the CCS program in an accelerated fashion, as I am taking masters courses while finishing my bachelor’s of statistics and completing pre-medical course requirements. Upon graduation from the CCS program, I plan to pursue an MD/PhD in environmental epidemiology, and later in my career, I hope to influence animal law. It is my goal to see that the well-being of all living things is attended to, and I am excited to learn more about the role that climate change plays on human, animal, and ecosystem health.
Dominic Greco
0
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.
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.
Sarah McCollum
There is an urgent need for us to help the general public understand the worth of our natural environment outside of commodities. Like other students, I grew up in awe of the nature around me that many overlooked and throughout my undergraduate career it was clear we cannot only communicate with science. I received my Bachelors in Environmental Science from the University of Lynchburg with a minor in Sustainability Studies. With the longing to make a difference, I began taking business, economic, law, and graphic design courses to help translate what I have learned to non-scientists of the world. I knew there was more to learn outside of my small college which is why the interdisciplinary CCS Masters program excites me. I look forward to taking more serious steps in climate-related issues I am passionate about. This summer I presented my independent thesis research on the socioeconomic benefits of the carbon market at the AESS Conference (Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences) in Portland, OR. I am a part of 3 national sustainability groups and I look forward to collaborating further with this talented group of CCS students.
Sadia Munney
With a bachelor’s degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, I bring a unique perspective to this field. My academic background has provided me with insights into sustainable tourism practices, environmental conservation, and the socio-economic impacts of tourism on communities. Growing up in a region highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as rising sea levels and extreme weather events, I have witnessed firsthand the critical need for sustainable strategies to protect ecosystems, livelihoods, and industries like tourism that are deeply affected by environmental changes. By pursuing the Master’s in CCS program, I aim to integrate my expertise in tourism and hospitality with advanced knowledge of climate science and policy. This will enable me to develop innovative solutions for creating sustainable tourism models, fostering climate resilience, and advocating for policies that align economic development with environmental preservation. North Carolina State University’s emphasis on practical applications and collaboration makes it the ideal institution to help me achieve my goal of making a meaningful impact at the intersection of climate change and society.)
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.
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.