If your organization has a need that you believe could be served by an applied research project supported by UNC Asheville faculty, let us know. We can match you with a dedicated student to develop a proposal. We would be happy to share information from your organization with interested students and have them follow up with you directly to further develop ideas. For more information, please email Dr. Casey King, cking10@unca.edu.
McCullough Institute at UNC Asheville
Welcome to the McCullough Institute
The McCullough Institute for Conservation, Land Use, and Environmental Resiliency is designed to be a national model for applied research addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing communities today. The institute focuses on land use and conservation, urban planning, sustainable agriculture, and environmental resilience and sustainability—fields that are critical to building healthier, more sustainable regions.
About the McCullough Fellowship
About the McCullough Fellowship
Launched in summer 2015, the McCullough Fellows Program offers a competitive, mentored research experience for UNC Asheville students. Fellows design and complete faculty-advised, applied research projects in partnership with local organizations across Western North Carolina. Each fellowship includes student funding, materials support, and stipends for faculty mentors and community partners, ensuring meaningful collaboration and real-world impact.
Highlighting Student Success
The McCullough Fellowship program provides intensive mentorship and hands-on learning opportunities during the summer and fall semesters. Students gain practical, career-relevant experience in areas such as data analytics and mapping, environmental and administrative law, emerging technologies, and ecosystem preservation—while addressing critical needs identified by community-based businesses and organizations.
Named in honor of Dr. Charles T. McCullough Jr., who devoted his life to civic and environmental advocacy, the institute was established through a $1 million endowment from Dr. McCullough and his wife, Shirley Anne McCullough. In addition to advancing applied research, the institute works with faculty to develop professional certifications in environmental studies and policy, expanding career pathways and job opportunities for students pursuing environmental and sustainability-focused careers.
How Three Students' Fieldwork is Advancing the Sciences and Supporting Communities in Western NC
Meet a few of the 2025 McCullough Fellows as they share their research experiences and reflect on how the fellowship helped them to achieve their goals while giving back to their communities.
UNC Asheville McCullough Fellow Lights the Way Toward a Greener Future
Senior chemistry student and McCullough Fellow Adam Wold is driving real sustainability research at UNC Asheville — applying curiosity, science, and hands-on work to power meaningful environmental impact and chart a greener future.
McCullough Fellows 2024
The prestigious McCullough fellowship allows undergraduate students to spend the summer deeply engaged in applied research addressing challenges in land use and conservation, urban planning, sustainable agriculture, and resilience and environmental sustainability—all in collaboration with community partners and under the guidance of expert faculty mentors.
Senior Seminar Scholars - Felipe Ahumada: Economics
Senior economics major Felipe Ahumada took a different research route and applied economics to the prestigious McCullough Fellowship, which focuses on conservation, land use, and environmental resiliency
Students Take On Sustainability Research
A Celebration of the 2023 McCullough Fellows
Sustainability Education at UNC Asheville
This Year’s McCullough Fellows Explore Mushrooms, EVs, Food Justice and More
McCullough Fellows: Then and Now
UNC Asheville Sustainability Students’ Journeys After Graduation
Then and Now, Part II
UNC Asheville Sustainability Students’ Journeys After Graduation
A Summer of Sustainability
Five New McCullough Fellows Take on Real World Research
McCullough Fellows Working locally for global impact
The McCullough Fellows program at UNC Asheville empowers undergraduate students to dive into faculty-mentored, applied research that tackles real environmental, land-use, and sustainability challenges in Western North Carolina. Through competitive fellowships that provide funding and professional support, students collaborate with local partners on projects spanning conservation, urban planning, sustainable agriculture, resilience, and more — blending academic inquiry with hands-on impact in the community.
Meet the 2025 McCullough Fellows
Project: “From Awareness to Action: The Role of Native Pollinators in Influencing Public Support for Conservation Efforts”
Community Partner: Bryan Tompkins, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Faculty Advisor: Caitlin Brez, Psychology
Project: “Hydrogeochemistry of a Southern Appalachian Wetland Post-Helene”
Community Partner: Kathryn Loughran, Botany Research Specialist, NC State Plant Conservation
Faculty Advisor: Jeff Wilcox, Environmental Science
Project: “Assessing Tropical Storm Helene Damage on UNCA’s Chestnut Ridge Forest to Guide Recovery”
Community Partner: Andy Tait, Forestry Director, EcoForesters
Faculty Advisor: Jonathan Horton, Biology
Project: “Controlled Pastured Poultry Impacts on Soil Properties and Biomass in Silvopasture Systems”
Community Partner: Lyric East, Farmer, Wild East Farm
Faculty Advisor: Jake Hagedorn, Environmental Science
Project: “Exploring Planting Patterns with Native Plants to Maximize Ecosystem Services”
Community Partner: Copland Rudolph, Asheville City Schools Foundation
Faculty Advisor: Jennifer Rhode Ward, Biology
Project: “Using Aquatic Macroinvertebrates to Assess Hurricane Helene’s Effect on Stream Health and Ecology in the Swannanoa River Watershed”
Community Partner: Renee Fortner, Director of Programs, RiverLink
Faculty Advisor: David Gillette, Environmental Science
Project: “Climate Emergency Preparedness in the Form of Self-Sufficiency”
Community Partner: Dulce Mirian Porras, Semilla de Vida Huertos and Elevate AVL
Faculty Advisor: Sara Sanders, STEAM Studio
Project: “Designing Green-Solvent Processable Polymers for Organic Solar Cells”
Community Partner: Rob Simon, Sugar Hollow Solar, Commercial Inside Sales Coordinator
Faculty Advisor: Jeromy Rech, Chemistry
Collaborate with Us
Collaborate with Us
Our Staff and Advisory Board
Casey King
Lecturer of Environmental Science, Director of Sustainability
Office: 006 Karpen Hall
Phone: (828) 350-4556
Email: cking10@unca.edu
- Leslie Casse, Chair
- Annie Ager, Camp Director for Project HNG
- Marielle DeJong, Donor Engagement Officer, The Pisgah Conservancy
- Jay Leutze, Senior Advisor, Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy
- Monte Parsons Gaillard, The French Broad River Garden Club Foundation
- Susan Roderick, Retired Asheville GreenWorks Director, Environmental Advocate
- Ford Willis, Town and Mountain Realty
- Mary Bruce Woody, Environmental Advocate
- In Remembrance of Oscar Wong (1940-2025), Highland Brewing Co.