Growing up in a small town in Arkansas, Tevin Wooten loved science and math, and like many kids his age, dreamed of becoming an astronaut. But during college, Wooten found a career path even more perfectly suited for him... one he didn鈥檛 even realize as a child was a possibility.

鈥淚鈥檓 a firm believer in if you can see it, you can be it. I didn鈥檛 see someone who looked like me doing weather until I was much older,鈥� Wooten said, recalling the first time he watched meteorology alumna Janice Huff forecasting on WNBC-New York.

Wooten began his college journey at the University of Arkansas, pursuing an engineering degree before transitioning to broadcast journalism.

鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 until my college TV station needed a weather anchor that I found a way to combine my love for teaching, science, and television into one job, and that鈥檚 how I landed in TV weather,鈥� Wooten said.

After earning his first bachelor鈥檚 in 2014, Wooten spent two years as a multimedia journalist and fill-in weather anchor for KNWA and FOX 24 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He covered shifts for the meteorologist at every opportunity and even earned an Emmy Award in 2016 for his reporting during a holiday season severe weather outbreak. But he knew obtaining a degree in meteorology would be crucial to developing his craft, and FSU鈥檚 topped the list.

鈥淚 fell in love with Florida State because of its reputation in the weather community. I researched other programs, but I kept going back to FSU because of its expansive network of meteorologists across the country. It is the standard of excellence,鈥� Wooten said.

Wooten arrived at FSU in 2016, pursuing his bachelor's in meteorology with a . The workload didn鈥檛 come easy even though he had always excelled in school.

鈥淎fter class, I studied in until they locked the doors at 1 a.m. every morning. I left after every football game to go back and study in the library,鈥� Wooten said.

The hard work paid off. By the time Wooten graduated in 2018, he already had a job offer from The Weather Channel. He moved to Atlanta, earned his Certified Broadcast Meteorologist credential from the American Meteorological Society, and began forecasting in studio and from the field, covering the nation鈥檚 top breaking weather news, including countless hurricanes, winter storms and tornadoes. Viewers connected with Wooten鈥檚 warm personality and his keen ability to make the science of meteorology accessible.

鈥淚t鈥檚 great because every day I鈥檓 teaching viewers something they may not have known about, in a way that鈥檚 easily digestible,鈥� Wooten said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 something they can take each day, apply to the forecast, and apply to their daily lives. For me, that鈥檚 the ultimate satisfaction of being a meteorologist. I enjoy being the happy person on TV, but I enjoy teaching even more.鈥�

Even off-screen, Wooten鈥檚 passion for meteorology shines in his efforts to increase participation in the field by individuals who have not been widely represented in STEM disciplines. With The Weather Channel, Wooten launched 鈥淎merica鈥檚 Science Lab,鈥� a series of physics and weather experiments geared toward elementary school students. In 2022, he was named to Forbes鈥� prestigious 鈥�30 Under 30鈥� list, which recognizes the brightest young entrepreneurs and leaders "destined to change the world" and make meaningful impacts on society.

After four years with The Weather Channel, Wooten decided in 2022 to set down roots in Boston, where he is now a broadcast meteorologist with NBC10. Wooten also dedicates his time as a member of the FSU Pride Alumni Network Board of Directors, the National Association of Black Journalists, and member of the American Meteorological Society鈥檚 Culture and Inclusion Cabinet and Board on Representation, Accessibility, Inclusion and Diversity.

He still makes time to return to Tallahassee, including a special visit during FSU鈥檚 75th Anniversary Homecoming weekend where he was honored as one of the 2023 . The designation is presented by the association to a select few alumni each year who have made outstanding contributions in their community or chosen field.

鈥淭evin is a talented professional who has risen quickly through the weathercasting ranks,鈥� said College of Arts and Sciences Dean Sam Huckaba. 鈥淭evin is representing FSU, the college, and the meteorology program with great distinction, and we are so proud of his accomplishments.鈥�

Wooten joins the ranks of some of the meteorologists who first inspired his first career journey, including fellow Grad Made Good Janice Huff.

鈥淚 am so excited for Tevin and what he鈥檚 accomplished,鈥� Huff said. 鈥淚 know he is worthy of the honor as he represents 糖心vlog and the field of meteorology with excellence and the highest standards. Having mentored him through the years, I have watched him grow and witnessed his passion for weather and climate, as well as his Seminole pride. I couldn鈥檛 be a prouder mentor and FSU Seminole!鈥�

For now, Wooten hopes his journey inspires others to see what鈥檚 possible and chase their own dreams.

鈥淢y favorite thing about being a meteorologist is the opportunity to influence at least one aspiring kid, who maybe doesn鈥檛 know what they want to do with their life when they get older,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his is my opportunity to be a beacon of light for them. I don鈥檛 take that for granted.鈥�