Esme Wissinger is receiving their B.S. in Forest and Rangeland Stewardship with a concentration in Forest Management from the Warner College of Natural Resources. Esme worked at the Environmental Learning Center during their time at Colorado State University and found joy in communicating with people of all ages about natural resources.

Q: What degree will you receive? 

A: B.S. in Forest and Rangeland Stewardship with a concentration in Forest Management, May 2023 

Q: Why did you choose Colorado State University? 

A: I chose CSU both because of the location in Fort Collins and the academics of the forestry program. I knew I wanted to leave Missouri and it is hard not to love Fort Collins. Additionally, the emphasis on field skills in the program, and of course the Mountain Campus, were major selling points. 

Q: What’s your favorite thing about CSU? 

A: My favorite thing about CSU has been the wonderful community I have found here. Whether I am with friends from class, faculty members, or CSU staff, I feel supported and valued. 

Q: Did you receive any scholarships or awards in college? 

A: CSU Honors Scholarship, 2019-2023, Presidential Scholarship, 2019-2023, Philip A. Connolly Memorial Scholarship, 2022-2023, William B. Fay Memorial Scholarship, 2021-2022, Riordan Family Scholarship, 2021-2022, Pulliam Scholar, 2021-2022 

Q: What are your career goals? 

A: I want to work to connect people to the outdoors and green spaces. I am not sure what this will look like in the long term, but I know that I have a lot of passion for the outdoors and would love nothing more than to inspire that passion in others. 

Q: What was your favorite class and why? 

A: My favorite class was Forestry Field Measurements, which was a two-week course taken at the CSU Mountain Campus. Not only was my time at the Mountain Campus valuable to my learning, but it allowed me to connect with other students in my course of study, which was particularly difficult in 2021. 

Q: Do you have any advice for incoming freshmen? 

A: Expect plans to change. If attending college during a pandemic has taught me anything, it was that there is so much that can not be planned for. That uncertainty may be scary, but things will eventually fall into place.

Q: What was the most rewarding part of your CSU experience?

A: The most rewarding part of my time at CSU was being able to see myself and those around me grow. I met most of my social circle in the Outdoor Leadership Residential Learning Center my first year and being able to grow alongside this amazing group of students has been so rewarding.

Q: What was your favorite non-academic experience at CSU?

A: My favorite non-academic experience at CSU was working for CSU’s Environmental Learning Center. As an environmental educator at the ELC, I have gained real-world experience in the field while working with a fantastic group of people.