Alumni
We fuel Pack pride by creating powerful experiences that connect our alumni, friends, students and partners to NC State — and one another — for life.
Making a Difference
Bolstered by an exceptional education and valuable real-world experiences, College of Natural Resources alumni leave our halls ready to work hard to drive innovation and tackle global challenges that affect us all. They are leading the way in fields like sustainability and conservation, paper science, recreation and tourism, public policy, business, law and environmental science.
Our alumni go far, but many also stay near. They are making North Carolina a better home for all its residents by driving three of the state’s top five industries: forestry, wood products, and tourism and golf.
Stay Connected
The College of Natural Resources is a small community on a big campus. Our faculty, staff and students are a family who learn and solve problems together, support one another and build networks that span the world and last a lifetime.
After you graduate, you remain a valued part of our community. By giving your time, talent and resources to the college, you can support our important work, especially in developing the next generation of natural resources leaders.
Check out some ways you can stay connected with us and with NC State.
Hayden Rudd, a Ph.D. student at NC State College of Natural Resources, has been named a finalist for the prestigious 2025 NOAA John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship Program. 🎉 🌊
For a year, Hayden will serve as a legislative fellow in Congress, applying her knowledge of chemistry, hydrology, and resource management to address coastal and marine policy challenges. This fellowship will further her interest in sustainable water systems and community health, which is already driven by her groundwater pollutants and water resource management studies.
“This opportunity will advance my understanding of how scientific research can best serve the needs of environmental policy makers, which will enhance my ability to contribute to research that actively supports sustainable water management and coastal community health.”
Click the link in the bio to learn more about Hayden`s fellowship program.
Meet doctoral student Muhammad Ikbal Putera. 👋
After years of determination, Ikbal became the first park ranger from Komodo National Park in Indonesia to pursue his doctoral degree in parks, recreation and tourism management (@ncstateprtm). Through his transformative journey to NC State, Ikbal aims to break barriers and inspire others.
"Having the privilege of pursuing a doctoral degree here gives me the opportunity to connect NC State with Indonesians and, most importantly, inspire more park rangers to pursue graduate degrees in parks, recreation, and tourism management. This was my dream, and it came true. If I can do it, so can you."
Check out the link in our bio to read more about Ikbal`s inspiring journey to #NCStateCNR.
Welcome back, Pack! 🐺🐾
We hope everyone has a wonderful start to the new semester. Here`s to new experiences, new goals and new achievements. 📚
Over the past four years, Lauren Pharr has been in search of one of the Southeast’s most endangered species: the red-cockaded woodpecker.
Lauren, a graduate student in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources (@ncstatefer), is conducting research on the federally-threatened bird species for her doctoral degree in fisheries, wildlife and conservation biology. Her research primarily focuses on the reproductive success of the species. She is specifically investigating the potential causes of a phenomenon known as partial brood loss, which occurs when some of the nestlings within a brood die.
“It is rewarding to know that whatever information I find will be beneficial to species’ conservation, and I see myself continuing work in the threatened and endangered species space.” —@ldpharr
Check out the link in our bio to learn more about Lauren’s research.
Meet Susannah Weaver, a junior pursuing a bachelor’s degree in parks, recreation and tourism management (@ncstateprtm). 👋
Susannah is currently a member of NC State`s @caldwellfellows program and Impact Delta, a community engagement program in which groups of students work together to address a local social issue through @ncstatesle. Through Impact Delta, Susannah and other students in her group are assisting Habitat for Humanity of Wake County to help create affordable housing.
"The outdoors has continuously been my positive outlet — a space where I can express myself, be present and find peace amid life’s stressors. Whether it’s hiking in the mountains or simply enjoying a local park, nature has a way of rejuvenating my spirit."
Check out the link in our bio to learn more about Susannah.
With nearly $7.5 million in funding, the NC State Christmas Tree Genetics Program is leading a project to accelerate the genetic improvement of Christmas trees across the United States.
📹: Check out some of the highlights of the team’s research.
Meet Cadence Davis, a first-year student who is one of 35 students in the 29th class of the @park_scholarships program.
She`s always been interested in fashion and now she’s combining it with her passion for sustainability. As one of 13 students in the sustainable materials and technology program’s class of 2028, Davis thoroughly enjoys the program`s resources and state-of-the-art equipment.
“It’s a really small major and really tight-knit and there are so many different opportunities that I feel I wouldn’t have gotten had I picked a bigger, more well-known major. Everything is so personalized."
Check out the link in our bio to learn about Cadence`s journey to #NCStateCNR.
Best of luck in all your future endeavors, #NCState24! 🎓🎉 Take a look back at today’s celebration of our 216 summer and fall graduates at @ncstate`s McKimmon Center.
Our own Dr. Erin Seekamp has been appointed as the executive director of NC State`s newly launched Climate and Sustainability Academy. 🙌
The academy will connect and oversee the Coastal Resilience and Sustainability Initiative, focused on the coast and its watersheds, and the Sustainable Futures Initiative, working to bring together students, staff, scholars and practitioners to imagine and implement sustainable solutions for society.
Learn more through the link in our bio.
📸: Dr. Seekamp stands in front of the Ocracoke Lighthouse during a research trip in May.
This summer, Fenton McKown, an NC State junior majoring in fisheries, wildlife and conservation biology (@ncstatefer), spent three months as a Summit Steward in the Adirondack Mountains. During this time, he assisted in wildlife conservation and helped preserve the alpine ecosystem through encouraging visitors hiking to carefully navigate the trails and avoid damaging the plants. 🏔️🌲
“It was very rewarding to make a genuine difference in the conservation of alpine plant species. They never ceased to amaze me in their sheer beauty and ability to survive the insanely harsh conditions of the alpine zone.”
Click the link in the bio to learn more about Fenton’s experience in the Adirondack Mountains.
