Article
March 24, 2026
Written by Student Writer Austin Watts
A Storm of Support: Student Organization Weathers the Gap Between Classroom and Career
UNC’s American Meteorological Society chapter connects students through career development, community service and a tight-knit culture of weather enthusiasts
Tucked away on the third floor of Ross Hall, the University of Northern Colorado (UNC)’s Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences is home to a Meteorology program that is as rigorous as it is unique.
While the academic workload of a Meteorology major (a concentration housed under the Climate Science BS) is notoriously demanding, students have cultivated a high-energy subculture of support centered around the local chapter of the American Meteorological Society (AMS) — one of only four in the state. More than an extracurricular activity, for many students, AMS is a vital student-led organization where the classroom meets the industry. It is one of the university’s most established student organizations that has been active since the early 1990’s. Per the chapter’s mission statement, AMS provides UNC meteorology students and those interested in weather with extracurricular opportunities for scholarship, service and camaraderie.
A typical AMS chapter meeting – open to students of all majors – includes an interactive activity and discussions related to atmospheric sciences. Students dive into specialties like severe, tropical or winter weather, where they analyze forecasts and real-time events by corroborating data from wind speeds or measuring snow totals from a passing squall line.
Longtime weather enthusiast and Chapter President Janae Acheson has big plans to expand AMS at UNC, including a career-readiness talkback with an emergency meteorologist and a virtual storm chase later this semester. One of the frequent topics of discussion for the chapter and the UNC Meteorology program alike is weather safety. For many students like Acheson, their passion for the field is rooted in a deep care for public safety. Members often discuss how to protect lives and property, a philosophy the group adopts from the National Weather Service.
For Acheson, establishing the chapter’s connection to the broader meteorology industry through diverse events is key.
“We try to help people build a personal connection with the field,” Acheson said.
AMS on the Go
The AMS chapter is also involved in the Greeley community, volunteering annually at the LINC Library’s YES! fest (Youth Engineering and Science Festival) to provide hands-on activities related to atmospheric science and discuss weather safety with local youth and their families. The chapter also takes regular field trips, most recently to the CSU-CHILL radar at the Greeley-Weld County Airport. Plus, last semester, AMS hosted a screening of “Twisters” in partnership with the UNC International Film Series.
To learn how to put those goals into action, Acheson recently attended the American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting, the organization’s national conference in Houston, Texas. The meeting is the world’s largest annual gathering for the weather, water, and climate community, helping attendees build long-term professional relationships. These Meteorology students are definitely looking forward to attending the conference as a group in Denver next year.
“I gathered information from every grad school and job opportunity table there,” Acheson said. “I brought back all the papers and QR codes to share with the members.”
Additionally, chapter secretary Ariah Atkins was able to share information from the National Storm Chaser Summit, which they attended in Westminster, Colorado, earlier this year.
This conference offers educational and professional development opportunities, as well as scholarships for undergraduate students in the field. At the summit, Atkins was awarded the Paul Samaras Scholarship, which recognizes an outstanding undergraduate student seeking a major course of study in S.T.E.M. or photography/videography.
“[It’s all about] showing the members what they can do with their careers,” Acheson added.
AMS faculty advisor Wendi Flynn, Ph.D, associate professor of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, sees the club as an incredible opportunity for students to build community outside the classroom, as well as develop skills that they can take into the rest of their lives.
“As a student, of course you’re going to be concerned about your academics and making friends, but also some really important skills that come along with your time as a student can be those organizational, logistic and group management skills,” Flynn said. “A student club can really help you develop those skills and discover if you like contributing to something larger that could help build community.”
Most often, Flynn’s role as an advisor takes the form of helping students organize their positive energy and enthusiasm into tangible goals, a logistical process that she believes will continue to benefit students beyond graduation.
“I know what efforts they’re putting into this club beyond what their requirements for class might be. It is evidence of their internal motivation, drive and passion for what they do,” Flynn said. “When students become involved, it shows that commitment to the community that they’re building. It really is for them, by them.”
Beyond professional development, learning and community engagement, the most driving value of UNC’s AMS chapter is camaraderie. Whether the group is playing ultimate frisbee across campus, baking cookies for one another before meetings or tracking the latest precipitation, it always feels like a family.
“We are all very close,” Acheson remarked. “The community, bonding and career development make it so inviting. Our passion is so strong that we can geek out over the smallest things. We are very supportive and encouraging of each other.”
The UNC chapter of the AMS has open meetings biweekly on Wednesdays from 5 – 6 p.m., in Ross Hall, room 3265. Follow them on Instagram at @unco_ams_club to stay up to date on their meetings and events.
Meteorology Alumni Spotlight: Kody Wilson (@kodythewxguy)
UNC alumnus Kody Wilson, ‘12, recently featured in NOCO Style magazine, has transformed a “neurospicy” obsession with meteorology into a massive independent forecasting network covering both Colorado and Idaho. While a student in the UNC Climate Science BS program, Wilson participated in the chapter of the AMS. During his undergraduate years, he attended national conferences in Atlanta, Seattle and New Orleans to build a professional foundation that eventually led to a technician role at the National Center for Atmospheric Research.
Today, he manages the Denver & Front Range Weather and Treasure Valley Weather HQ Facebook pages, where his blend of technical accuracy and “sassy” transparency has attracted more than 500,000 followers and 60 corporate sponsors. Wilson credits his success to his autism diagnosis and a “servant first” mentality, often referring to his followers as “chicken nuggets” while providing critical storm updates. Without a doubt, Wilson has secured his place as a trusted voice for residents across the region, proving that authenticity may just be the most powerful meteorological tool of all.
