Paying It Forward: CALS Alumni for Student Success

Eight years after graduating from NC State University, Katelyn Stack remembers firsthand the value of receiving career guidance during college. Now, she’s offering that same support to current students through the CALS Alumni for Student Success (CASS) Program. 

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences launched the CASS Program in 2023 as a collaboration between CALS Academic Programs and the CALS Alumni and Friends Society. The initiative connects CALS alumni with current students for one-on-one career coaching, helping students explore career paths, ask questions and build professional confidence.

A fifth-generation corn and soybean producer, Stack grew up surrounded by agriculture. Her journey to CALS began as part of the inaugural class of the STEAM Program, and her dream of attending the university became a reality thanks to the Gordon Family Farm to Philanthropy Scholarship.

“Having someone in the industry who’s been there made a huge difference for me. I wanted to be that person for someone else.”

While at CALS, she majored in agricultural business management and secured an internship with John Deere through a CALS career fair. The internship in sales and marketing for the forestry and construction division included a summer at the company’s world headquarters in Moline, Illinois. 

After earning her bachelor’s degree in 2017, Stack started her career working in crop protection at Bayer Crop Science, then transitioned to the ag finance sector at AgSouth Farm Credit. But her connection to CALS didn’t end with graduation. She joined the CALS Alumni and Friends Society Advisory Board to stay involved and give back. That’s where she first learned about the CASS Program and eagerly signed up.

“I remembered how important it was to have mentors I could talk to,” Stack says. “Sometimes, as a student, you feel like you have to be perfect, like you can’t mess up. But having someone in the industry who’s been there made a huge difference for me. I wanted to be that person for someone else.”

The CASS Program serves as a bridge between generations of the Wolfpack and creates meaningful opportunities for connection, networking and professional growth. In just two years, the CASS Program grew from 33 alumni coaches to 70, and over 100 students signed up for the 2025–26 academic year. 

In a recent survey, 70% of CALS alumni expressed an interest in connecting with students, and CASS offers a clear and rewarding pathway to making those connections possible.

“Through this program, alumni not only strengthen their ties to the CALS community but also play a vital role in shaping the future leaders of our industries,” says Amy Juliana, director of alumni engagement for CALS.

Flexible Support, Real-World Connections

When Nathan Hoyle joined the CASS Program, he was already balancing a demanding schedule as a university ambassador, CALS ambassador, chancellor’s aide and vice president of the Agricultural Business Management Club, while working full-time. 

He learned about CASS through NC State’s Rurally Engaged Agricultural Leaders program, which encourages students to grow as future professionals. Hoyle needed a mentor who could meet him where he was.

Hoyle was paired with Gary Upchurch, an alumnus who understood the value of flexibility and meaningful connections. A 1976 horticulture graduate, Upchurch has remained deeply connected to CALS. A long-time member and past president of the CALS Alumni and Friends Society Advisory Board, he was inspired by the opportunity to mentor current students.

“My coach was very supportive of me and always there when I needed him.”

Upchurch has been a registered landscape contractor with New Garden Landscaping and Nursery since 1991. His years in the industry gave him valuable experience communicating with others and helping them identify their goals. As a CASS alumni coach, he believes his greatest contribution lies in helping students build real-world networks that can jump-start careers. 

“Hoyle was on a mission,” Upchurch recalls. “He didn’t need direction; he needed connections. He’d ask, ‘Do you know anyone at this company?’ And if I didn’t know someone directly, I usually knew someone who did.”

The pair met virtually and in person, adjusting to Hoyle’s hectic schedule. 

“My coach, Gary Upchurch, was very supportive of me and always there when I needed him,” Hoyle says. “He understood that college is a busy time and made time to meet face-to-face multiple times per semester. These sessions helped me navigate my career goals, gain insight into opportunities and grow as a leader.”

After graduating with a degree in agricultural business management in May, Hoyle secured a job with Atticus LLC, an agricultural chemical company based in Cary, North Carolina.

“Not only did I meet my goals,” Hoyle says, “but I expanded my network and got a strong jump start in the industry.”

Sharing Professional Expertise 

When senior Morgan Harris switched her major from chemical and biomolecular engineering to agricultural business management, she faced unfamiliar territory. Determined to become a farm manager, with no farming background, she joined the CASS Program seeking mentorship from someone with industry knowledge.

That’s where Stack stepped in.

Stack’s experience in ag finance offered Harris professional insight and personal encouragement. The two met virtually and by phone, and the connection was reassuring for Harris.

“Katelyn Stack felt like a trustworthy friend whom I could ask anything,” Harris says. “She helped me figure out the right questions to ask and how to make informed decisions about my future.”

Harris entered her junior year with a clear goal: to gain hands-on experience under the guidance of a farm manager. With Stack’s support, she navigated job applications, weighed her options and secured a summer internship with CORRAL Riding Academy, working under its equine manager.

“My first goal was to find out exactly what I wanted to do,” Harris says. “Now I know that the type of job I have is what I would love to do for a career.”

No Script Required

One of the CASS Program’s best perks is its flexibility. As a career coach, Stack has guided students without a rigid playbook, focusing instead on individual needs.

“What’s unique about CASS is that it’s just you and your coachee,” Stack says. “It’s not a checklist or a strict curriculum. You work together to figure out what support looks like.”

Stack understands why some alumni might hesitate to volunteer. “Some say, ‘I still feel like a student myself. How can I guide someone else?’ But you don’t have to come in with all the answers,” she explains.

“If you’re willing to show up and support a student, that’s what matters. You can make a bigger impact than you think.”

The reality, Stack says, is that students aren’t looking for a teacher, but for a trusted sounding board. “They just need someone to talk through decisions with, someone to say, ‘You’re on the right track,’ or ‘Here’s another way to think about it.’ It’s not about having a perfect plan. It’s about being present.”

For coaches who want structure, the CASS Program is developing templates and talking points to help guide conversations. But Stack emphasizes that these tools are optional.

“I don’t want anyone to feel like they have to come in with worksheets and a timeline,” she says. “If you’re willing to show up and support a student, that’s what matters. You can make a bigger impact than you think.”

Becoming a Career Champion

Every CASS career coach contributes to the program’s impact.

Coaches like Upchurch bring decades of industry knowledge and relationships, while younger alumni are more familiar with student resources and campus life. This cross-generational collaboration creates a fuller support system.

The CASS Program helps Upchurch stay connected to the ever-evolving university. “Volunteering is as much a benefit to me as it is to the students,” he says. “I get to see what they’re currently facing, and I have something to offer.”

He also recognizes that students need advocates. “Many of them don’t come from farming or ag business backgrounds. They’re finding their own way, and sometimes they just need someone to talk to and believe in them.”

Stack agrees. “By becoming a coach, you’re helping shape the future of our industry. You might work alongside these students one day, or work for them. Why not share what you’ve learned and help them find their path, just like others did for you?”