Alumni

William T. Russ II

Class of 2003

A bachelor of science from the Environmental Studies Program at the University of North Carolina at Asheville provided me with the knowledge to succeed in a career in fisheries biology.  With a concentration in ecology and environmental biology, I gained an understanding of how ecosystems function and how natural communities are all connected.  Through the internship program with the department, I gained valuable experiences as a fisheries technician with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  The degree from UNC Asheville further prepared me for a master of science at Tennessee Technological University, where I studied the distribution, life history, and potential environmental impacts to a federally listed fish species, the Spotfin Chub.  Currently I am employed by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission where I am the western region aquatic biologist; I am responsible for tracking and monitoring state and federally listed nongame species of fish, mussel, crayfish, and snails.