Featured Presentations on Hurricane Helene

Sept. 27 marked the one-year anniversary of the devastating storm that tore through Western North Carolina. The Catamount community stepped up then and continues to help in the rebuilding process today. RASC will feature presentations on research done in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and how WCU faculty and students’ scholarly endeavors have benefited the community and the region.

Oral Presentations

The Perfect Storm: Appalachia’s Existent and Evolving Vulnerability to Extreme Flooding
Undergraduate Student: Isabella Barger
Department: Criminology and Criminal Justice
Faculty Sponsor: Sarah Jackson
Presentation Time: 9:00 am – 11:30 am
Presentation Location: UC 323 – Multipurpose Room

Neighborhood Resilience: A Qualitative Exploration of Social Responses to Natural Disaster
Graduate Student: Jack Berfield and Paul Ryland
Degree Program: Master of Social Work
Faculty Sponsor: Chase Harless
Presentation Time: 9:00 am – 11:30 am
Presentation Location: UC 323 – Multipurpose Room

When Warnings Matter Most: Spatial Patterns and Messaging Differences During Hurricane Helene
Faculty Presenter: Dr. Sarah Jackson and Leah Blackwood
Department: Criminology and Criminal Justice
Presentation Time: 9:00 am – 11:30 am
Presentation Location: UC 323 – Multipurpose Room

Poster Presentations

Stream Habitat and Biotic Assessment of Waynesville Watershed After Hurricane Helene
Undergraduate Student: Hunter Gibbs
Department: Geosciences and Natural Resources
Faculty Sponsor: Keith Gibbs

Using A Hydrologic Model To Analyze How Stream Responses In Western North Carolina To Tropical Storm Helene May Have Been Worse With Different Antecedent Conditions
Undergraduate Students: Hunter Gibbs and Lucas Solomon
Department: Geosciences and Natural Resources
Faculty Sponsors: Mark Lord and Katie Schneider

Modeling Rainfall Runoff Responses Under Climate and Land Cover Scenarios in the Cullowhee Creek Basin to Support Flood Prediction and Preparedness
Undergraduate Student: Lucas Solomon and Hunter Gibbs
Department: Geosciences and Natural Resources
Faculty Sponsors: Mark Lord and Katie Schneider

Voices of Resilience: Documenting the Human Impact of Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina
Undergraduate Student: Megan Baker, Jacob Pendergraph, and Frankie Gonzalez-Nicolas
Department: Communication
Faculty Sponsors: Mindy Weathers, Matt Binford, and Mark Poff

Culture and Recovery: A Review of Work Culture Impact on Resiliency After Critical Incidents
Undergraduate Student: Ben Davis
Department: Psychology
Faculty Sponsor: Annie Wilson

Keynote Event Features WCU Faculty Panel

At 5 p.m., the arena will host this year’s keynote event, a faculty panel titled “Helene’s Lessons: Interdisciplinary Research By WCU Faculty.” Moderated by Associate Provost of Academic Affairs Carmen Huffman, the panel will feature five WCU professors: Katie Schneider and Diane Styers of Geosciences and Natural Resources, Andy Hansen and Sarah Jackson of Criminology and Criminal Justice, and Chase Harless of Social Work.  Their discussion will cover a broad range of post‑Helene research, including flood mapping, law enforcement practices, community response, and the storm’s long-term mental health effects on families in Western North Carolina.   

2026 Schedule At A Glance

On Wednesday, March 25th, experience a full day of scholarly engagement, including oral and poster presentations, and fine arts exhibits. The day concludes with a keynote address and celebratory reception sponsored by the Office of the Provost.   

  • 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Undergraduate, Graduate, and Faculty Oral/Performance Presentations, A.K. Hinds University Center  
  • 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Keynote Address, Ramsey Center Arena    
  • 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm Undergraduate, Graduate, and Faculty Poster Presentations, Fine Arts Exhibits, and the Celebration Reception, Ramsey Center Concourse   

On Thursday, March 26th, the annual Faculty Scholarship Celebration will highlight faculty research and scholarship accomplishments, including the Faculty 3MR Competition and recognition of major award recipients. 

  • 11:00 am – 1:30 pm, A.K. Hinds University Center Grand Room 
    • The 5th Annual Faculty 3-Minute Research (3MR) Competition  
    • Faculty Scholarship Celebration Luncheon (reservation-only event)   
    • Awards Presentation (Million Dollar Circle, Hunter Scholar, Provost’s Scholarship Development Award)