Meteorology Alumni

MSU Denver's Meteorology program was a life changing experience for me. I took a chance and pursued this degree as a second Bachelor's while in my mid 20's, and I sure am glad I went for it. Thanks to the guidance from the professors, I learned more than I ever could have imagined on the subject. I was fortunate enough to work part time for a private weather forecasting company while I was a student. It eventually led to a full-time job with them and due to the remote nature of the job, I relocated to Jackson, WY to live in the mountains.

Alan Smith, Class of 2014, Snow Forecaster

Studying meteorology at MSU honed my curiosity for the atmosphere. The comprehensive knowledge given to me created an opportunity for me to explore ANY career in meteorology. I chose to pursue broadcasting and really enjoy sharing my weather passion with the general public.

Alex O'Brien, Class of 2016, Broadcast Meteorologist at KOAA 5 in Colorado Springs

I already knew when I started at MSU Denver that I wanted to be a meteorologist, however, growing up I always thought that meant presenting the weather for a television audience. After a brief stint in the private sector I was able to land my dream job, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service. One of the greatest things about the meteorology program at MSU Denver is how supportive the faculty and classmates are. This program is truly geared towards the success of the students and without the mentoring from the professors I would have never found my career path.

Brandon Thorne, Class of 2016, NWS Forecaster

Dr. Ng motivated me to stay focused on my school work, even when there were tornadoes to be chased. Look at me now!

Dann Cianca, Chief Meteorologist at KION News Channel 546, California

I was only at MSU Denver for two years to get a 2nd Bachelor's, but the short time with the professors in the meteorology program helped prepare me for grad school and the experience I gained with instruments currently help me as I'm the meteorologist for Los Alamos National Laboratory

David Bruggeman, Class of 2013, Meteorologist for Los Alamos National Laboratory

MSU Denver’s Meteorology program was an important part of my success. Access to a variety of classes and internship opportunities meant I was able to explore multiple elements of a very diverse field of study. Because of this, I was able to find my interest in instrumentation and pursue it! I now work for the State of Georgia’s Environmental Protection Division as a field meteorologist. I am charged with maintaining their network of meteorological instrumentation and validating the data for submission to the EPA’s national air quality database.  

Dwight Blanche (Class of 2016), Field Meteorologist, Georgia Environmental Protection Division

At MSU Denver, the Meteorology program sparked my interest for the statistics of weather, climatology, and how the modern change in climate will impact Earth and its inhabitants. The Meteorology professors guided me to graduate school where I completed a M.S. and Ph.D. program at the Climate Change Institute, University of Maine. I enjoyed my time at MSU Denver so much that I invited Dr. Keah Schuenemann to be part of my graduate committee where she continues to help me grow as a climate scientist.

Jeff Auger, Class of 2013, Postdoctoral Researcher

The meteorology program at MSU Denver instilled a passion for the weather and a penchant for research that inspired my career path. Through classes and the interaction, encouragement, and high expectations of the professors, I developed the skills needed to succeed in graduate school at Texas A&M Corpus Christi, where I am pursuing a PhD. My current research includes measuring precipitation and cloud microphysical properties using satellite data.

Lindsey Hayden, Class of 2013, Research Assistant Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi

The meteorology program at MSU Denver helped me further explore and develop my passion for atmospheric science. The faculty in the program genuinely care about the well-being and success of their students. The classes that I took in the meteorology department helped me apply my theoretical knowledge to become a better forecaster. Through job listings within the department, I was able to land a job at MeteoStar, where I worked for two years before moving to Norman, Oklahoma to work towards my PhD in meteorology at the University of Oklahoma.

Noah Brauer, Ph.D. Meteorological Research Scientist, CIRES

I decided to become a meteorologist when I was nine. MSU Denver allowed me to get the degree to make my dream come true. Its proximity to NCAR allowed me to work as a student on meaningful research while I pursued my degree. I feel extremely fortunate!

Wendy Abshire, Education Program Director, American Meteorology Society

Working through earning a BS degree in Meteorology from MSU Denver not only helped to satisfy my deep curiosity about the world around me, it also simultaneously allowed me to land a student assistant job at NCAR. These things together opened many doors, prepared me for grad school in atmospheric science, and launched my incredibly rewarding career focused on education of others in weather ocean, and climate science.

Wendy Abshire, Class of 1985, Education Program Director at American Meteorological Society