Solving Local and Global Challenges, Together

Join us in congratulating our own Dr. Nils Peterson, who has received the 2026 Outstanding Mentor Award! 👏

This award, given by the Conference of Southern Graduate Schools (CSGS), honors Dr. Peterson’s success mentoring graduate students in the NC State College of Natural Resources.

"Being a recipient of this award makes me incredibly grateful for how much our college supports graduate student mentoring. Our students are a joy to work with and take over critical leadership roles in the conservation world when they graduate, so it is a privilege to work with them here at NC State." -Dr. Nils Peterson, professor in the Department of Forestry & Environmental Resources (@ncstatefer)

NC State students have launched the Women in Sport Club (@womeninsportncsu), a new organization focused on leadership development, mentorship and career exploration related to women in sports.

Founded by Emma Busenbark `28 and Laurie Clarstrom `26, the club is open to all students and offers networking events, professional development and industry exposure. The group aims to create a supportive space for students interested in advancing women’s roles across the sports industry.

“Ultimately, the mission and goal is just to make women feel like they are empowered and supported through their time at NC State, whether that is them being student athletes or being sport management majors." -@emmambusenbark

Visit the link in our bio to learn more.

Meet Ryan Byrd ’27—a dual major in paper science & engineering and chemical engineering. He has been building real-world experience with internships at International Paper and Marcal Paper, while working toward becoming a process engineer. 💡

Beyond the classroom, Ryan hosts the Byrd & Bear 5K, raising over $50,000 for autism awareness and showing leadership in his community. His #NCStateCNR journey highlights perseverance, community involvement and the power of pursuing your goals with purpose.

Click the link in our bio to learn more about Ryan`s journey.

Happy first day of classes, #NCStateCNR Pack! A new semester is here—fresh starts, big goals and endless possibilities. You’ve got this! 🐺📚

Lauren Henderson ’25 is turning her passion for sports into advocacy for women and girls everywhere. 🏅

Basketball and softball were Lauren’s first loves, but after 10 years, she suffered a back injury. This ultimately led the #NCStateCNR alumna to her true calling: advocating for women in sports and sport management. Today, she is pursuing her master’s degree in sport leadership at Virginia Commonwealth University.

“I’m going to get my master’s degree, and I want to use that in conjunction with the College of Natural Resources and my sport management degree to hopefully one day become a WNBA general manager, where I can not only focus on my love for basketball and help organize logistics, but then help use that platform of a WNBA team to create or continue working on certain initiatives to help promote girls and women in sports and other underrepresented groups.” —@laurenghenderson

Check out the link in our bio to read more about Lauren.

Gregory Godwin `24 turned his passion for the outdoors into a purpose-driven career in wildlife conservation. 🌿

After graduating from NC State with a degree in fisheries, wildlife and conservation biology, Gregory began working with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission—first as a conservation technician and now as a wildlife conservation biologist for District 4.

"Some of the most rewarding days are when I get a text saying, “Gregory, listen to the quail I have on the farm,” or “Look how many wild turkey poults I have on my trail camera.” Interactions like these remind me that I am not only making a difference on a personal level, but also positively contributing to the success of a variety of species in our state." —@gregorypg48

Check out the link in our bio to read more about Gregory`s journey.

New research from NC State’s Department of Forest Biomaterials (@ncstatefb) shows that electrification, biomass power and efficiency could drastically cut greenhouse gas emissions in U.S. pulp and paper mills. ⚡🌿📄

“We’ve found that there is a path toward zero emissions for these mills, but only if that progress is made in the electrical grid,” - Dr. Lokendra Pal, the EJ “Woody” Rice Professor in Paper Science and Engineering

Click the link in bio to read more about how NC State researchers are leading the change toward clean energy.

📸: Dr. Lokendra Pal (left) and Maria González, lead author and Ph.D. student in the Department of Forest Biomaterials, showcase the “Wolfpack Baby” pilot paper machine in the Paper and Pulp Testing Laboratory.

We hope that all of our students, faculty and staff have a wonderful winter break! ❄️ #NCStateOnCampus

Through the Women in Sport Spring Series, faculty and students in NC State’s College of Natural Resources are expanding opportunities for women in sport management and recreation. 🤝 🌱

Led by Dr. Kim Bush and supported by Wolfpack Women in Philanthropy, the initiative offers networking, mentoring, clinics and the annual Women in Sport Leadership Summit, connecting students with professionals shaping the future of the industry.

“I see both the desire and the need for more involvement from people of underrepresented genders in all roles surrounding athletics.” —Dr. Kim Bush

Click the link to see how NC State is helping the next generation of women sport leaders grow, connect and thrive.

Students at NC State are getting hands-on training that prepares them for real-world fire management, and new resources are making a huge difference. Thanks to more than $5,000 in donor support, students now have access to essential safety gear and equipment. 🔥

These resources allow students to safely participate in prescribed burns, gaining real-world experience that complements their classroom instruction. This fall, students applied their skills to 939 acres of forest, preparing them for Firefighter Type 2 certification and careers in fire management.

“Students voluntarily come out with us as an extracurricular activity, and fire equipment and PPE are really expensive. Some of the shirts and pants are $250. We want to be able to lend out safety clothing and equipment. So the gifts fulfill a real need.” —Dr. Jennifer Fawcett, NC State Extension specialist in wildland fire

Click the link in our bio to learn more about this impactful program.

📸 via @ncstateextension: NC State students conducted a prescribed burn at Calloway Forest Preserve in Raeford, North Carolina, as part of Fire Week 2025.