Meet first-year #NCStateCNR student Natalie Nameth. 👋

A member of the Environmental First-Year Program, Natalie is pursuing opportunities to deepen her understanding of marine science and explore solutions to environmental challenges.

It was thanks to scholarships that she was able to make her decision about which college she would attend. Natalie is a recipient of the Bob Kellison Family Extraordinary Opportunity Scholarship, which bridges the financial gap facing many students.

“I was going to do biomed, but in my junior year [of high school] I took a climate change biology class and I was so interested in it. I started looking into the climate sciences but I have always been interested in aquatic life, so my goal is to research coral reefs from an environmental perspective.”

Natalie is currently a member of NC State`s EcoVillage and the Marine Science Club. She is also an Extraordinary Opportunity Scholar.

🔗 Visit the link in our bio to learn more about Natalie and other new members of the Wolfpack.

📸: @ncstate

Congratulations to our own Dr. Jason Bocarro, who was recently inducted into the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration! 👏

Bocarro joined the #NCStateCNR faculty in January 2006. He is the Owens-Shelton Distinguished Professor of Leadership with a Global Perspective and program director of the James Buzzard Leadership Development Program. He was also recently selected as a 2026-27 Office for Faculty Excellence Faculty Fellow.

His research focuses on how sports, nature and green spaces, recreation, and public spaces can help people live healthier and more connected lives. Much of his work explores how communities can design environments and programs that encourage physical activity, especially for children and families who may face barriers to participating in sport and recreation.

“Being inducted into the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration is really meaningful because having worked in the field in three countries (Canada, England and the U.S.), I have seen firsthand the profound impact the profession can have on people, communities, and quality of life across different cultures,” Bocarro said.

“I am deeply honored that my work has been recognized by respected colleagues within the profession and privileged to join an Academy filled with exceptional leaders from across the country. I`m excited to get to know some of these leaders better and hope that will benefit our department and students at NC State.”