Baucom Earns NC Environmental Education Certification

Grace Baucom, a senior double majoring in Extension Education and Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems, was recently awarded the NC Environmental Education Certification by Secretary of the NC Department of Environmental Quality Elizabeth Biser. The North Carolina Environmental Education Certification Program encourages professional development in environmental education and acknowledges educators committed to environmental stewardship. This program establishes standards for professional excellence in environmental education for formal and non-formal educators.

The goals of the Environmental Education Certification Program are to increase environmental literacy, provide practice in environmental education teaching methods and foster community leadership. The program enhances the ability of educators and organizations to provide quality programs and resources, benefiting local communities while investing in the future of North Carolina’s environment. “It is an honor to award Grace with her Environmental Education Certification. I was so impressed with all her accomplishments at NC State, and I know I will be seeing more of Grace in the future as she pursues her career goals,” noted Secretary Biser upon presenting the certificate.

Baucom stated “It was such an honor to be presented with my Environmental Educator Certification by Secretary Biser, especially while surrounded by so many wonderful people who have been an important part of my professional development and personal growth over the last four years. This certification program has been formative in my understanding of what it means to be an effective educator, and I am deeply grateful for all the lessons I have learned, relationships I have built, and confidence I have developed through my participation. Many, many thanks to Secretary Biser, Lisa Tolley and Marty Wiggins of the NC Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs, and to all who attended the presentation.” You may learn more about the ceremony here. Congratulations Grace on your certificate and your continued success at NC State and in the future.