A team of NC faculty and administrators traveled to the Galápagos Islands with alumni this summer to showcase the impact study abroad programs have on students’ educational journeys—and to strengthen ties between the university and its graduates.

The weeklong program provided alumni with the same blend of intellectual exploration and experiential education that students gain on study abroad experiences. The Galápagos trip — equal parts reunion and classroom without walls — was made possible through a partnership between the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHASS) and the College of Sciences (COS).

“We wanted to engage our alums in a fun trip but also one that showcases the educational value of study abroad, which is more than travel. It is a catalyst for curiosity, connection and lifelong learning,” said Deanna Dannels, dean of CHASS and one of the academic leaders on the Galápagos trip. “We see again and again how stepping into new environments deepens students’ academic understanding and helps shape their sense of self and their place in the world.”

Joining Dannels on the trip were Lewis Owen, dean of COS, and Paul Brinkman, a history professor and head of the Environmental Humanities Research Laboratory, as well as curator of special collections at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. As a historian, Brinkman has extensively studied Charles Darwin and his theory of evolution, providing a rich historical lens for the Galápagos experience.

This marked the first year the Galápagos trip was offered to alumni. By sharing this experience with graduates, Dannels said the added hope is to inspire greater support for making these transformative opportunities accessible to more students.

During the visit, the group explored the famed archipelago’s islands’ distinctive environment – coming face-to-face with blue-footed boobies, giant tortoises and the Galápagos penguin, among other wildlife. They also participated in lectures and social events with NC State faculty, and engaged with Galápagos’ fragile ecosystems, exploring real-world conservation and sustainability challenges.

Asked to describe her most memorable experience, Dean Dannels said: “Swimming with hammerhead sharks and walking through the islands with the naturalists learning more about conservation of animals and their natural habitats. Of the Galápagos BIG 15, we saw 11!!!” 

For many alumni, the trip was a chance to reconnect with the university, reflect on their educational paths, and engage with NC State faculty and administrators in a setting that blended scholarship and exploration. Dean Dannels said the alumni shared that they enjoyed the faculty lectures – Brinkman focused on the history of Darwin and Lewis on geology in the Galápagos – the animals they saw and their interaction with other NC State alums.

The trip also highlighted that learning doesn’t end at graduation and alumni, like students, keep growing through shared inquiry and global engagement.

So, are similar study abroad trips planned for alumni?

“We would LOVE TO and would love to remain focused on taking alums to places where we offer high-impact student experiences,” Dean Dannels said. “Stay tuned!”

By inviting alumni to share the impactful experiences that shape students’ lives, she added, NC State is creating a lively, intergenerational community rooted in curiosity and connection.