A huge Wolfpack congratulations to our 381 new graduates! 🎓🎉 Your hard work, resilience and passion have led you to this incredible milestone, and we’re honored to celebrate all you’ve accomplished. #NCState26 @NCState
📸: Relive some of today’s commencement and reception memories.
Exploring the College of Natural Resources means finding the places that make it feel like home. ❤️ 🐾
From studying in Jordan Hall Library, to relaxing at the Floating Grove, to stopping by The Exchange between classes, every corner of the College of Natural Resources has something special to offer.
Katherine Griffey '26 and Andrew Hardjosuwito '28 take us along as they share their favorite spots, reminding us that #NCStateCNR is more than a college, it’s a community.
Congratulations to our very own Dr. Caren Cooper, who has been selected as a recipient of the 2026 Alumni Association Outstanding Research Award and inducted into the NC State Research Leadership Academy. 🎉
Dr. Cooper, a professor in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, created and co-leads the Citizen Science Campus, which has engaged thousands of students in citizen science and supported faculty from multiple colleges in launching new citizen science projects. She has also created a graduate certificate in participatory sciences with two new graduate courses.
“Being selected for this award is an exciting recognition of my commitment to ensure NC State is an interdisciplinary leader in the participatory sciences, within programs across Colleges and Academies. It signals to me that, as part of the Research Leadership Academy, I should continue to build the credibility, stature, and impact of the Citizen Science Campus programs that support other faculty and students in their research, teaching, and leadership in participatory sciences.”
Over the past few years, Dr. Cooper has received several awards to help her further her research. These include awards from the Center for Human Health and Environment, the National Science Foundation, Spencer Foundation and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Last week, we held a ribbon cutting ceremony for our student patio space funded by the Pulp and Paper Advisory Board. 🎉
Speakers included our very own Dean Myron Floyd and Dr. Jingxin Wang, along with Allen Sanders ‘85, executive director of the Pulp and Paper Advisory Board and paper science and engineering alumnus.
We’re still reflecting upon the unforgettable memories from NC State’s spring graduation. ❤️🎓
Take a look back at some of the weekend’s highlights, including wonderful speeches from student speaker Tonya Henderson Gatling and Harry Sideris, an NC State alumnus and former member of the Natural Resources Foundation Board. Harry and his wife, Catinna, created the Sideris Family Scholarship in 2021 to support NC State students pursuing a dual major in chemical engineering and paper science and engineering.
Meet this spring’s college graduate commencement speaker: Ana Cubas-Baez. 👋 🎓
A soon-to-be #NCState26 alumna, Ana is graduating with a Ph.D. in forestry and environmental resources. She enrolled at NC State as a Fulbright Scholar in 2020 to earn her master’s degree in natural resources.
In 2024, Ana was named a member of the Kiets Climate Leaders Program (@kietsclimateleadersprogram ), and she also completed an international research internship with the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry and the Rights and Resources Initiative.
As part of her dissertation, Ana's work has focused on forest governance, conservation and climate change, from studying how rural households in the Peruvian Amazon experience forest-based climate change mitigation initiatives to examining private forest landowner decision-making in the southern United States.
After graduation, Ana plans to continue building a career focused on forests, conservation, sustainable natural resource management and climate policy after graduation.
"I grew up surrounded by forests, and from an early age, I felt a strong connection to nature and a deep desire to protect the natural world. That connection is what first led me to study forestry engineering.
During my undergraduate studies and later, while working for an environmental nongovernmental organization, I began to see that many forestry challenges were more than technical matters. They were also about people, policies and complex socio-environmental dynamics. That experience inspired me to ask deeper questions about who benefits from conservation initiatives, who participates in decision-making and why decisions about forests differ across contexts." -@cubasanita
🔗 Read more about Ana at the link in our bio.
Meet this spring’s college undergraduate commencement speaker: sport management major Isis Stamm.
A soon-to-be #NCState 26 alumna, Isis is turning her passion for sports into a career in athletics. During her journey at NC State, she worked as a recruiting intern for NC State Football (@packathletics ), supporting recruiting operations, coordinating visits and assisting with event execution. She also served as a club lacrosse operations assistant, gaining experience in team logistics.
Outside of NC State Athletics, Isis has been an active member of the Women in Sport Club (@womeninsportncsu ), and she also worked as a student marketeer with Red Bull.
After graduation, Stamm plans to continue working in her current role with NC State Football’s recruiting department, further developing her experience in collegiate athletics while pursuing future opportunities in football operations.
“One of the most meaningful aspects of my academic experience has been courses that focused on the operations and management side of sports. These classes allowed me to connect what I was learning in the classroom to my hands-on experiences in athletics.
Being able to apply real-world scenarios to coursework helped reinforce my understanding and gave me confidence in my ability to succeed in the industry. It also helped me better understand the strategic and business side of sports beyond what is visible on the surface.” —@isstamm
🔗 Read more about Isis at the link in our bio.
Meet Kate Creech, a soon-to-be #NCState26 graduate majoring in parks, recreation and tourism management. 🎓 🐾
During her time in #NCStateCNR, Kate has been involved with the Tourism Management Association (@tmancsu ), where she serves as treasurer. She is also currently a James Buzzard Leadership Development Program fellow for the 2025-26 cohort. She is a recipient of the Moses and Rea scholarships.
After graduation, Kate looks forward to working in the hospitality industry, specifically in hotel sales. She hopes to gain experience building relationships with various customer groups and creating memorable guest experiences.
One of her favorite memories at NC State is running to the Belltower after the NC State men’s and women’s basketball teams advanced to the Final Four in 2024. “The energy on campus was unforgettable, and celebrating with thousands of other students made it such a special moment.”
Her biggest piece of advice for students entering parks, recreation and tourism management?
“There are so many different opportunities within the parks, recreation and tourism management major, and you’ll meet people with a wide range of interests and career goals. Try as many things as possible early on, and talk to as many people as you can.
Get involved with clubs, internships, intramural sports, and campus events that help you explore different areas of interest. You will figure out what excites you the most by doing, so take advantage of the resources in CNR, NC State, and your peers to lead you exactly where you need to go.” —@katecreechh
Meet Hannah Miller, a soon-to-be #NCState26 graduate who will be earning her bachelor's degree in environmental sciences. 🎓 🐾
During her time at NC State, Hannah has served as an ENVFY Peer Leader, chair of philanthropy and co-president of Epsilon Eta Iota, and secretary of the Forestry and Environmental Resources Leadership Board. She has also been a James Buzzard Leadership Development Program Fellow, CNR Ambassador, and a member of the Campus as a Classroom and the Environmental Resources Water Assessment Training programs.
After graduation, she will be working as a fisheries and aquatic technician with the Center for Aquatic Technology Transfer, which is in partnership with Virginia Tech and the U.S. Forest Service. As part of her job, she will be traveling across Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina, working in national forests, with a particular focus on monitoring and restoration in forests impacted by Hurricane Helene.
"Together, these past four years, we have learned side by side, whether in lecture halls, Schenk Forest, Rocky Branch, or even Carter-Finley Stadium. Through the small and big moments, we grew into capable, intelligent individuals. Where my capabilities might be stretched to their limits and fall short, I know others can pick up the slack.
Together, we will contribute to a future to be proud of. Even if you feel lost now, I know that the best will come your way if you keep searching for it. Do not underestimate what we have learned at this institution. We are the future, and the future is bright."
Meet Catherine Stucker, a soon-to-be #NCState26 graduate who will be earning her bachelor’s degree in sport management. 🎓🐾
During her time in the college, Catherine has served as a CNR Ambassador and been a member of the James Buzzard Leadership Development Program and the Women in Sport Club (@womeninsportncsu ). She has interned with Wolfpack Sports and USA Baseball.
After graduation, Catherine looks forward to working as a corporate partnerships intern for NC Courage. After her internship ends in October, she plans on applying for full-time job opportunities within the sport industry and potentially starting her MBA the following year.
As she gears up herself to graduate next week, she has offered words of encouragement for the class of 2026 on commencement day:
“We all have different amounts of chapters. We have different beginnings, different ends, and even different "meals" along the way. But right now, Class of 2026, our chapter is the same and we are all on the same page. What you do tomorrow, the day after, and the year after that is going to be very different from the person sitting to the left and right of you.
But we are all moving one step closer to our goals. You know the goal I’m talking about—each of ours is different, but you know deep down what yours is. Everyday you are one step closer to that goal of yours.” —@catherinemstucker
Meet Jamie Ashlock, a soon-to-be #NCState26 graduate who will be earning her master’s degree in natural resources. 🎓🐾
For the past two years, Jamie has been involved with the Forestry and Environmental Resources Graduate Student Association, this year serving as president. She has also been involved with the NC Museum of Natural Sciences, where she volunteered in the Naturalist Center for a year and a half.
As she gears up herself to graduate next month, she has offered words of encouragement for the class of 2026 on commencement day:
“The first time I stepped foot onto campus, or should I say drove around campus with Dr. Frederick Cubbage, my attention shifted to a particular sign with a slogan coined by NC State. If you have ever walked up and down Morril and Dan Allen Drive, I am sure you have seen it as well. “Think and Do.” Although I, like many of you, pass this sign or an adjacent everyday, as my time here at NC State began to dwindle, my attention was brought back to it.
Think about the emotions you felt upon your first day at NC State–excited, nervous, maybe even a little daunted, or perhaps you felt completely calm, ready to begin. Now bring some awareness to how you are feeling this morning; maybe you are feeling some of these same emotions, as you flip the page into the next chapter after NC State.”
Meet Catherine Kirch, a soon-to-be #NCState26 graduate majoring in sustainable materials and technology. 🎓 🐾
For the past three years, Catherine has been involved with the Sustainable Materials and Technology Student Association (@smtsa_ ), where she currently serves as vice president. She is also a James Buzzard Leadership Development Program fellow and a member of the Marine Science Club. In her spare time, she volunteers at the SPCA of Wake County and Museum of Natural Sciences.
During her time in #NCStateCNR, Catherine has been the recipient of several scholarships, including the Jerry H. Fox, David D. Morgan Sr.; Thomas Forshaw; and Wood, Science, and Technology scholarships.
One of her favorite memories at NC State is being a part of the Buzzard Leadership Development Program. “It has been so special to form such a tight-knit cohort this year, and going to Washington DC to visit the British Embassy and National Academy of Sciences has been a highlight! It's been so inspiring to hear from such a diverse and accomplished set of industry leaders, and has had a significant impact on my post-graduation and leadership development goals.” —@cath_0013
After graduation, Catherine looks forward to starting as a process development engineer at Nomaco Inc. in Zebulon, NC. She hopes to expand her technical background in process and product development engineering to one day work in a sustainable project development/management role.
Her biggest piece of advice for students entering sustainable materials and technology? ‘Your undergrad is a great time to explore all that you are interested in, and you never know where it will take you — it's how I ended up with a Marine Science minor and spending a semester in Morehead City at NC State's CMAST facility. Our major has so many elective credits built-in to the degree, take advantage of them and everything else NC State has to offer."
