Bradley Thompson, Ph.D.

For more than 25 years, CCBC’s Sustainable Horticulture program has prepared students to turn an interest in plants and the environment into professional skills. We sat down with Program Director Bradley Thompson, Ph.D., to learn more about the field of horticulture, what students can expect from the program and how CCBC prepares them for careers in the industry.

q: What excites you most about the field of horticulture?

A: What I like most about horticulture is working with living systems. We understand that the climate is changing and that environments are changing in response. We need professionals who know how to mitigate the problems brought on by overdevelopment.

Q: How does the program combine classroom and hands-on learning?

A: Our curriculum is based on two hours of lecture and two hours of hands-on experience. You get to apply what you’ve learned in class immediately.

Q: What kinds of career opportunities does this training prepare students for?

A: This training leads to professional jobs with professional salaries. I am really excited that it’s no longer thought of as routine maintenance, but actually restoring environmental services that have been interrupted by development.

Q: What does the program’s history mean for students considering CCBC?

A: It’s a program that’s well into its 25th year, and we have proof in our graduates, so you can bank on leaving here with skills that make you employable.

Q: What do you hope students take with them when they leave CCBC?

A: I hope students will take away a sense of confidence that they are indeed horticulturists and have a lot to offer not only their employers but the communities they’re working in.