Climate Change Science

North sees straight to the problem and gets straight to fixing it.

Are you concerned about climate change and how it will impact you and future generations? Did you know that we can still avoid the worst impacts? At Northern Vermont University-Lyndon, we are training the next generation of scientists to address the climate crisis head-on. 

The new climate change science program at NVU-Lyndon prepares students with a passion for environmental issues to become effective leaders and problem-solvers. This innovative program allows students to understand climate change in an interdisciplinary manner: you’ll develop a strong foundation in atmospheric and environmental sciences, including biology, chemistry, and geology, as well as the communication skills needed to become an effective advocate.

One of the first programs of its kind in the nation, our climate change science program offers small classes and a supportive faculty who will challenge you to grow as a scientist and leader in this critical field.

A CULTURE OF HANDS-ON LEARNING

As an NVU-Lyndon climate change student, you’ll enhance the knowledge you gain from your coursework with hands-on, real-world experience with internships, professional development opportunities, and more. You’ll learn the science behind climate change in classes like meteorology and physical climatology then learn to apply the science in real-world situations. You’ll be able to communicate the realities of climate change, massive storms, and political issues after taking classes in public speaking and presenting to groups around the region on climate change risk. 

Upon graduation, you’ll be able to communicate the realities of climate change, its impacts on weather, ecological systems, and our food and water supply after taking classes in public speaking and presenting to groups around the region on climate change risk.

Beyond the Classroom

Starting in year one, you’ll establish an understanding of important meteorology concepts and tools through our atmospheric sciences department. From there, you’ll have opportunities to embark on faculty-guided storm chasing trips, track weather changes in our weather center, and learn to communicate the science and risks to the public.

Student Advocacy

You’ll have the option to join The Climate Consensus, a group of students and faculty dedicated to making an impact in our community. Most recently, students have produced videos for social media, presented at local meetings and schools on the impact of climate change, organized a local climate strike, and ran a half marathon in recognition of the growing global movement to increase awareness.

Facilities

Climate Change students at our gorgeous, hilltop NVU-Lyndon campus get hands-on training in our modern facilities. We have a weather deck with an excellent view for observing the weather and launching weather balloons. We also have dedicated computer lab and research space for atmospheric and climate change sciences students.

High-Impact Internships

With alumni and professional connections across the world, our students always find invaluable internships to kick-start their careers. Recent internship locations include Southwest Airlines, National Severe Storms Laboratory, National Weather Service, AccuWeather, and the Vermont Institute of Applied Meteorology. 

Networking and Conferences

The student-led Northeasetern Storm Conference allows attendees to present new research in the field to fellow colleagues. Learn more about the conference on the Lyndon AMS and NWA chapter website. Climate Change students also attend the American Meteorological Society conference as a way to connect with climatologists from across the country.

Faculty Committed to Your Success

The faculty support and small classes help students excel. “There’s a lot of one-on-one with professors,” says Maison DeJesus ’22. “If you don’t understand something, you can meet with them, and they’ll explain it. The amount of help they offer is great.”

Atmospheric Sciences / Meteorology

​Make your impact with an atmospheric sciences degree from Northern Vermont University.

NVU-Lyndon’s nationally renowned atmospheric sciences program offers motivated students with a passion for meteorology, weather, and climate the opportunity to learn from experts and graduate with a degree that opens doors.

Recent graduates have gone on to work at organizations like The Weather ChannelAccuWeather, and WeatherNation, while others have obtained paid opportunities to pursue graduate school in top meteorology programs around the nation. You’ll finish the program prepared to work in a variety of careers and can focus your studies by pursuing a concentration in broadcasting, climate change, graduate school, private industry, or the National Weather Service/military.

The atmospheric sciences curriculum is updated frequently​ to keep pace with developments in science as well as evolving career opportunities. For example, climate change is now incorporated into the core atmospheric sciences courses as a degree requirement. This prepares our graduates to be leading meteorologists, ready to address climate change whether in graduate school, as broadcast meteorologists, or research scientists.​ Interested in a degree in climate change science? View the full climate change science degree here.

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

As a Lyndon ATM student, you’ll enhance the knowledge you gain from your coursework with hands-on, real-world experience with internships, professional development opportunities, and more. 

Atmospheric sciences majors who select the broadcast career concentration work with our on-campus TV studio for live on-air experience in conjunction with our Electronic Journalism Arts Department.

Over half of our juniors and seniors have participated in paid forecasting internships within our Vermont Institute of Applied Meteorology (VIAM). They provide operational winter weather forecast support to the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans).

You’ll also engage in professional activities, building your network of peers early. Atmospheric science students regularly attend and present at national conferences such as the American Meteorological Society and American Geophysical Union annual meetings. They also conduct research projects with faculty. Students are working to better predict power outages ahead of wet snow and ice storms, learning how shortwave radiation has been changing in the Northeastern U.S., and using regional climate models to understand how climate change will impact regional weather.

NVU-Lyndon’s student chapter of The American Meteorological Society/National Weather Association is an award-winning, student-run club which organizes fundraisers, hikes, and social gatherings. The club also hosts the annual Northeastern Storm Conference, the largest and longest-running student-organized event in the nation.

Northeastern Storm Conference

Featuring over 300 students and professionals from a wide variety of institutions around the northeast and beyond, the annual, student-run Northeastern Storm Conference allows its attendees to present their newest research in the field of atmospheric sciences to their fellow colleagues. Learn more about the conference on the Lyndon AMS and NWA chapter website.

Vermont Institute of Applied Meteorology

The Vermont Institute of Applied Meteorology (VIAM) gives ATM students the chance to put their education into real-world practice. They conduct research, create forecasts, and communicate with clients. The longest-running VIAM project is operational winter weather forecast support to the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans). 

Climate Consensus

The Climate Consensus group was established in 2014 by Lyndon students and faculty to teach undergraduate students about effective ways to communicate basic climate change science to non-scientists and improve public understanding of climate change science and the consensus gap, moving us toward a more sustainable future. Learn more about the group and its work here

Student Internships

Jason Shafer

Sarah Levesque

Internship at Local 22 and Local 44

Sarah Levesque interned at Local 22 and Local 44 in Colchester, VT under the supervision of Chief Meteorologist Sean Parker. For her internship, Sarah created graphics, constructed weather blurbs, and did green screen work.

Jason Shafer

Sarah-Ellen Calise

Internship at the University of Grenada in Spain

Sarah-Ellen Calise spent a summer studying abroad at the University of Granada in Spain, where she completed an internship that involved assessing calibration factors for cloud radar, examining how aerosols impact cloud formation, and assisting with the installation of a cloud radar at the university. 

Jason Shafer

Radek Przygoski

Internship at WTNH News 8 in New Haven, CT

Junior Radek Przygodzki completed an internship at WTNH News 8 in New Haven, CT. He created weathercasts by working in front of the green screen and other TV studio equipment, as well as updating the forecast by using numerical weather models and other forecasting methods.

Facilities

John Marshall Observation Deck

Our observation deck, close to our atmospheric sciences classrooms, provides 360-degree views and is an ideal location to observe weather and launch weather balloons. 

The Donald and Carmella Dalton Weather Center

The Donald and Carmella Dalton Weather Center, which students may access for research at any time,  contains four 40″ monitors that display latest conditions, radar, satellite, and model forecasts, as well as climate data.

Broadcasting Studio

Students in the broadcast concentration have access to the Electronic Journalism Arts (EJA) department’s facilities, which includes WSI Max weather graphics computers (the same as TV stations) and EJA’s full television studio. Students create daily live broadcasts, available on News 7’s Facebook page.

Our Faculty

Aaron Preston

Aaron Preston

Visiting Assistant Professor

Email Address

Phone

802.626.6496
David Siuta

David Siuta

Research Scientist

Email Address

Phone

802.626.6238
George Loriot

George Loriot

Part-time Faculty

Email Address

Phone

802.673.7455
Janel Hanrahan

Janel Hanrahan

Associate Professor

Email Address

Phone

802.626.6370
Jason Kaiser

Jason Kaiser

Data Systems Administrator

Email Address

Phone

802.626.6685