undergraduate students
The first two decades of our Program (2000-2020), we were focused entirely on undergraduates. We offered minors and majors under different names, from “Environmental Studies” and “Environmental and Sustainability Studies” in the Special Programs in Liberal Studies (pre-2020) to the current BA in Environment & Sustainability (2020-present). There are hundreds of alumni of the Environment & Sustainability Program dating back to the early 2000s. If you’re an alumna/alumnus, please email us at evs@uncg.edu – we would love to hear from you and reconnect!
Check out the stories of some of our amazing undergraduate award winners.
graduate students
Selected alumni Profiles
P.B.C. in Environmental Humanities
B.A. in Mass Communication, Campbell University, 2003
Morgan found that an online program was the only way she could pursue a degree while working full time and raising family. She values UNCG’s longstanding commitment to sustainability and its four-pronged approach (environment, economics, equity, and aesthetics).
For her master’s final project, Morgan completed an amazing thesis about environmentally responsible marketing in the UNC System. She’ll be putting those things into practice in her work as Associate Director for Social Media Strategies in University Communications here at UNCG.
B.S., Natural Resources Policy and Administration, North Carolina State University, 2021
For her master’s final project, Tana worked with the Eno River Association on stewardship activities. Her main responsibility was monitoring one of the preserves, which includes invasive species removal. In addition, she participated in tree plantings, trail building, and a variety of other workdays. She also utilized ArcGIS to create maps that help improve our understanding of the preserve, developed guides to assist volunteers, and worked on a species inventory. She led bio-blitz events with volunteers at local conservation sites, work she’ll continue in Maine with the Northern Forest Canoe Trail.
A.D. in Business Administration, Wake Technical Community College, 2011
Kerri is an accomplished environmental educator and advocate with a BA in Environmental Sciences and a minor in Biology from UNCG, alongside an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration from Wake Technical Community College. A Summa Cum Laude graduate and recipient of the Provost Student Excellence Award, she also holds certifications in Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Business Core.
At Juniper Grove Sanctuary, Kerri leads sustainability initiatives and community engagement programs, blending her deep connection to nature with a commitment to fostering environmental stewardship.
B.A., Anthropology, UNCG, 2020
B.A., Environmental Studies, UNCG, 2020
Drew says, “I really enjoyed GES 697–my capstone course–because it was fully customizable and allowed me to focus my research on regional planning and resilience. At the culmination of this capstone course, I successfully delivered a 52 page research report and presentation titled Regional Resilience: Theory and Practice.”
Shortly after she graduated, Drew was hired as a Planner for the City of Reidsville and was recently promoted to Director of the Planning & Community Development Department. She says, “This position is directly relevant to the coursework and research I conducted while in the MSSE graduate program. In this position, I work with the community and development department to oversee a variety of issues related to zoning, land use and urban development.”
B.A., Environment & Sustainability, UNCG, 2019
May chose the MSSE because it allowed her to customize her degree and gave her the flexibility to complete courses online asynchronously. May particularly enjoyed classes that focus on the society and equity aspect of sustainability. For her final project, she completed a transportation internship with the City of Greensboro. Ultimately, May looks forward to a career in a conservation-based nonprofit.
May advises: “While the program is delivered in an asynchronous format, you need to have proper time management skills to balance coursework and other activities.”
B.S., Nutrition, UNCG, 2020
After becoming interested in sustainability as an undergrad at UNCG, Breanna wanted to stay at the University to continue her education through the MSSE. The diversity of course offerings and content keeps Breanna engaged in her work. But, adjusting to a completely online degree program has been a challenge, especially when it comes to communicating with classmates.
Breanna completed an internship at the Deep Roots Market, a community-owned grocery store located in Greensboro, NC. She hopes to continue this work in food security and food deserts.
B.A., Sustainable Development, Appalachian State University, 2020
Building a community within the Program is important, though the online modality poses unique social challenges, Julia says. Julia advises future students to not be afraid to reach out to professors, because they want to see students succeed.
Through her final project as an education intern at the Greensboro Science Center, Julia made professional connections and explored the realm of environmental education. Julia is now working as an AmeriCorps member at FEMA in California.
B.A., Liberal Studies, UNCG, 2019
Along with her interests in sustainability, the online modality and flexibility of the MSSE drew Mary to the Program. Making a difference in their local community is a reality for Mary, who initiated a community composting operation in Transylvania County, NC, for her final project.
Mary is hopeful that through public education about food waste and climate change, the composting program will be a step towards a zero waste community.