Class of 2026: Mackenzie Locklear builds community through environmental science
From Ecuador to environmental internships in Virginia, Locklear explored hands-on environmental science experiences while building community at Virginia Tech.
Name: Mackenzie Locklear
College: College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Major: Environmental science
Hometown: Virginia Beach, Virginia
Plans after graduation: Locklear will work for the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality in Virginia Beach and plans to pursue a master’s degree after gaining professional experience
Favorite Hokie memory: “The Virginia Tech Women's Rugby Football Club has given me some of my best friends and memories in college. I love this team dearly because of the amazing women I get to call my teammates. Traveling to conferences, competitions, and tournaments with these organizations has been the highlight of my four years because I got to explore the country with my favorite people.”
What’s been the best thing about your major or department?
My major has given me the most amazing friends that have supported me throughout my four years in the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences. I have made lifelong memories with my classmates over our field trip across the state for Wetlands Soils and Mitigation with Dr. Galbraith and long study sessions for chemistry.
I loved Soil Chemistry with Dr. Eick and Soil Physical and Hydrological Properties with Dr. Stewart because the content was extremely interesting. Although the coursework was rigorous, it was easy to succeed in these classes because Dr. Eick and Dr. Stewart always answered any questions we had about the content.
What hands-on research opportunities, internships, or study abroad opportunities have you had?
I studied abroad in Ecuador during the 2025-26 winter session under Dr. Matt Eick and Dr. Renee Eaton. This was the most amazing experience because of the cultural immersion and personal growth I had in those 16 days. Exploring the Amazon rainforest, Andes Mountains, and Galapagos Islands taught me so much about environmental stressors, natural resource extraction, and different agricultural practices.
I have also had two internships with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. These two internships both gave me hands-on experience in the field talking with customers and permit holders, creating conservation plans, taking soil and water samples, and completing inspections. They allowed me to figure out what I wanted to do full-time and prepared me for my first job after graduation.
What extracurricular activities and leadership roles have you been involved in?
I have been a part of and held leadership roles for the two Native American student organizations — American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) and Native at VT — and the Virginia Tech Women’s Rugby Football Club (VTWRFC).
The Native American student organizations have allowed me to improve my professional skills while connecting with my culture and others of similar background. Being one of the few Native Americans on campus can be very isolating, so being in community has allowed me to grow as a person and advocate for Native representation across campus.
VTWRFC has given me some of my best friends in college. I love this team dearly because of the amazing women I get to call my teammates. We constantly elevate and support each other while playing against varsity-level teams in regional and national competitions. Traveling to conferences, competitions, and tournaments with these organizations has been the highlight of my four years because I got to explore the country with my favorite people.
What is your favorite memory looking back on your time here?
The most fulfilling thing I have done as a student is serving as president of Virginia Tech’s AISES chapter for two years. It has been so rewarding to welcome incoming Native students to Virginia Tech and let them know they have a community here.
Under my leadership, we won two awards at our 2024 and 2025 national conferences. We won the Community Building Award in 2024 and the Professional and Chapter Development Award in 2025. At the 2025 national conference, I was recognized for my efforts and dedication to advancing Indigenous people in STEM by AISES national leaders.
How did scholarships or financial aid advance your education and college experience?
Scholarships significantly advanced my education by allowing me to participate in my extracurricular activities and reducing the number of hours I had to work. Without the scholarships I received, I would have had to cut my participation in the organizations I am a part of and increase my work hours.
My extracurricular activities have been the highlight of my college career and have shaped me into who I am today.
What are you doing after you graduate, and what long-term plans do you have for your career?
I will be working for the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality in Virginia Beach, and I plan to obtain my master’s degree after gaining professional experience.
