Academics and Research
NC State prepares students and innovations for a more sustainable world.
Sustainability-focused education equips students to solve complex global challenges. Each of NC State’s 12 colleges connects with sustainability, including departmental concentrations on agriculture, natural resources, earth sciences, marine sciences, atmospheric sciences, engineering, landscape and architectural design, management, education, economic policy and social sciences.
Simply put – sustainability is inherently part of NC State’s curriculum.
NC State provides real-world experience for students to engage with sustainability.
Not all learning happens in a classroom. Numerous co-curricular opportunities await, allowing NC State students to make a meaningful impact.
- Join the Campus As A Classroom internship program to advance campus sustainability.
- Live on campus in the sustainability-themed EcoVillage.
- Take a semester to study ecology along the N.C. coast or study abroad.
- Become a better leader through Student Leadership and Engagement or serve through a sustainability-focused Alternative Service Break trip.
- Innovate in the lab through undergraduate research opportunities or build a business with help from the NC State Entrepreneurship Initiative.
- Learn and put sustainability ideas into practice through the Sustainability Stewards or the Social Innovation Fellows.
NC State researchers solve serious sustainability challenges.
Our faculty, students and partners work across disciplines to address problems impacting the environment, economy and society. This multidisciplinary experience begins with Wicked Problems, Wolfpack Solutions, a virtual course created for all incoming first-year and transfer students.
NC State connects research to the real world, innovating in sustainability-related areas, including energy, transportation, materials, human health, economic solutions and policy.
Sustainability-Related Research Centers and Partners
NC State applies sustainability knowledge to improve lives.
As a land-grant university, NC State has hundreds of outreach programs that leverage the academic resources of the university. By partnering with our faculty and students, you can find solutions that can improve the sustainability of the people, businesses, and communities in North Carolina.
K-12 Outreach
NC State educates North Carolina youth about sustainability efforts through programs such as 4-H, The Science House, The Engineering Place and the FREEDM Systems Center.
Professional Development
Infuse sustainability into your career through the Sustainable Forestry Teacher’s Experience, NC Clean Energy Technology Center workshops and certificate programs, Natural Resources Leadership Institute, and Manager of Environmental Health and Safety Certificate.
Industry and Community
The Industrial Extension Service (IES) supports N.C. businesses by increasing productivity, efficiency and quality. North Carolina Cooperative Extension delivers unbiased, research-based information to N.C. citizens. Poole College of Management Business Sustainability Collaborative helps businesses and leaders succeed. People First Tourism connects local entrepreneurs with travelers. Natural Learning Initiative promotes the importance of nature in daily lives of children.
Collaboratory at NC State
Collaboratory is NC State’s tool to expand and advance our external engagement and public service with North Carolina and beyond.
