Meet the EVSS Office Administration
Our staff and graduate assistants are committed to making the Graduate Program in Environmental and Sustainability Studies the best it can be! We would like to introduce those who work behind the scenes with the Masters of Environmental and Sustainability Studies Program and Sustainable Agriculture.
Interim Program Director: Courtney Murren
Hello! My name is Courtney Murren, and I am a Professor of Biology at the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø. I will be serving as the Interim Director of the Master of Science in Environmental and Sustainability Studies (EVSS) Program for the 2025–2026 academic year.
My research lies at the intersection of ecology and evolutionary biology, focusing on plant functional traits, phenotypic plasticity, and the ways in which organisms respond to environmental variation. I have mentored many undergraduate and graduate students, collaborated on interdisciplinary research projects, and remain committed to fostering strong mentorship and applied learning in environmental studies.
I have been involved in the EVSS program for many years through teaching, advising, and serving on graduate committees. The EVSS program’s interdisciplinary structure and broad faculty expertise offer students a dynamic and supportive environment to pursue their research and career goals.
As Interim Director, I look forward to working closely with students, faculty, and community partners to support the program and help students successfully navigate their time at CofC.
Program Coordinator: Lucy Davis
My name is Lucy Davis and I am the Program Coordinator for the Masters of Environmental and Sustainability Studies Program, which means I am here to help you determine your class schedules, navigate your research projects, apply for funding, and help you make the best out of your graduate experience here at the College! I am also the Coordinator for the Masters of Environmental and Sustainability Studies Student Gardens. I help manage our planting rotations, our education and outreach events, and our collaborations with other ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, South Carolina community organizations. I have been affiliated with the Masters of Environmental and Sustainability Studies since 2015 and have been Program Coordinator since February of 2018. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions! My door is always open.
Graduate Assistant: Melanie Thorn
My name is Melanie Thorn (Mel), and I am a Graduate Assistant for the Masters of Environmental and Sustainability Studies Program. I started the EVSS program in Fall 2025. I support the program with website development, newsletters, professional development events, and more. I received my Bachelors in Environmental Policy and Peacebuilding from Juniata College in Pennsylvania in 2023. After graduating, I served as an AmeriCorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassador, monitored the American Eel (Anguilla rostrata) population in the Mullica River watershed with the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve, studied Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) populations and created an Atlantic and Gulf coast regional website for recreational and commercial crabbers through Project Terrapin. My research interests are estuarine systems and coastal management. I am eager to build a strong community here with potential and current students, faculty, and partners. I am always happy to chat!
Graduate Assistant: Adelaide Wedholm
Hello! My name is Adelaide Wedholm, and I am a Graduate Assistant for the Masters of Environmental and Sustainability Studies Program for the 2025-2026 academic year. I graduated from Coastal Carolina University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Sustainability and Coastal Resilience. During my time at CCU, I served as the Youth Core Ambassador for the United Nations Regional Center of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development. I contributed to local research projects studying water quality with Winyah Rivers and the ecology of Switch Cane (Arundinarai tecta) with CCU. My most adventurous experience was completing a scuba diving internship in Sodwana Bay, South Africa. Additionally, I completed certifications in the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI Standards) and Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) training. My research interests include wetland ecology and restoration. I am excited to start this role and grow connections throughout the community!