This second-year student’s lifelong fascination with nature is shaping his future in environmental science.
By Sterling Giles
Dating back to his childhood, Braxton Coleman—a second-year student from Prince George County, Virginia—has been captivated by nature. This led him down a path to consider environmental science as a potential career path.
“When I’m in the garden, I don’t just see plants,” he said. “I see how everything’s connected—the animals, the insects, even the microorganisms in the soil.”
Braxton’s interest in nature often puzzled his family—particularly his mother.
“I’d pick up a bug and my mom would say, ‘You don’t even know if that’s poisonous or not!’” he said with a laugh.
As a student at Richard Bland College, Coleman’s interests were cultivated by Dr. Eric Miller, Associate Professor of Biology, whose hands-on, interactive teaching style made environmental science come alive. Dr. Miller’s unique Alternative Spring Break trips—which immerses students in learning experiences across the country—further grew Coleman’s love of nature.
Choosing RBC over a larger university proved to be life changing. Originally planning to attend VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University), on his school visit, Coleman found the environment overwhelming. RBC offered something different—affordability, proximity to home and meaningful connections.
“When I did orientation here, everything was magnificent,” Coleman said. “It was so quiet and serene.
“I knew this was my place.”
Coleman frequents the Dean’s List and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, a nationally renowned honor society for two-year colleges. He’s also a part of the RBC Agriculture Club.
This fall, the Prince George County native is strongly considering attending William & Mary and majoring in environmental science. However, he’s also contemplating taking a gap year to participate in community volunteer work and internships.
Amidst the busyness of life and his desire to achieve academic and professional excellence, Coleman manages to make an active effort to level set as often as he can.
“Sometimes, I like to sit in my garden and just think,” he said. “To think about the past—but don’t dwell on it—to be in the present and strive for future.”
