Sammie Osley: Bridging Plant Science and Environmental Assessment

Sammie Osley’s journey to a career in environmental assessment has been anything but linear. From her early days cultivating plants at the University of Florida to her current role as a research program assistant at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Osley has built a career dedicated to improving public and environmental health. Now, as she pursues her online Master of Environmental Assessment degree at NC State, she is preparing to make an even greater impact. 

Osley’s academic journey began at the University of Florida, where she graduated in 2022 with a degree in Plant Science. As president of the Environmental Horticulture Club, she was responsible for cultivating nearly 4,000 poinsettias for the club’s annual sale. While she loved this kind of hands-on work and her foundation in plant science, her coursework opened her eyes to a broader field of study. 

The Journey to Environmental Assessment 

“My plant science courses gave me a peek into this world, which is what initially drew me to pursue this field,” said Osley. “As I further considered my career path, I knew that I wanted my work to relate to the health of the environment and the public.” 

After spending time working at NC State’s Mountain Horticultural Crop Research and Extension Center, her interest in environmental stewardship deepened. It was there that she discovered the Master of Environmental Assessment program, and it seemed like the natural alignment of her professional goals and her plant science background. The program enhances human health and environmental outcomes by connecting scientific research with practical applications in decision-making, regulation and environmental management. 

“I was drawn to this program due to the flexibility … as I intended to work full time while in the program,” Osley explained. After initially enrolling as a non-degree seeking student in 2023, she officially joined the master’s program a year later, confident it would help her develop the expertise needed for her career. 

Experience in the Program

Now fully immersed in the Master of Environmental Assessment program, Osley has found her experience to be overwhelmingly positive. The variety of courses and experienced faculty have equipped her with a well-rounded understanding of environmental assessment, while its flexible online format has allowed her to balance work and study. 

Osley has found a wealth of support within the program itself. She highlighted the role of faculty members like Assistant Teaching Professor Tamara Pandolfo as being especially significant. “Dr. Tamara Pandolfo has stood out to me in the way she excels in her role as both a professor and advisor. She provides practical and helpful resources and is a quick responder to questions about the program,” Osley shared. “She is constantly creating opportunities for success for her students.” 

When asked how she manages her coursework and professional responsibilities, Osley credits the online asynchronous format of most course activities. This has allowed her to balance the demands of full-time work and part-time study. “It certainly requires good planning and time management to succeed in this program while working, but it is entirely doable,” she said. 

“I feel that the course structure is designed in a way to support the success of its students, as well as the varying schedules they each have,” she explained. 

Advice and Future Plans 

Her advice to others considering an online program is rooted in her own experience. “Time management is key while working full time and also being a student. Finding balance among work, school, social life and family life is the key to success. Start assignments early, and you will thank yourself when an exam due date is approaching, and you have already completed 70% of the assessment,” she emphasized. 

Osley sees the master’s degree program as a critical step toward broadening her career prospects. “I feel confident the Master of Environmental Assessment will support my future career endeavors and allow me to broaden the scope of opportunities I was previously seeking,” she said. 

She has also been able to directly apply the knowledge gained from her coursework to her job at the EPA. The course activities not only apply to her current role, but the program has positively influenced her future career prospects in unexpected ways. It has opened doors to opportunities in various areas within the environmental field and provided a supportive network to help her pursue these new options. 

Reflecting on her time in the program, Osley is grateful for the opportunity to pursue her degree while continuing to grow professionally. She feels ready to take on the next stage of her educational journey with confidence. When asked about her experience, she said, “I am grateful I chose to move forward with this program and am excited to further progress in my degree!” 

Ready to advance your career in environmental assessment with the online Master of Environmental Assessment degree from NC State Online? Visit the program page or online.ncsu.edu/programs for a full list of degree and certificate programs.