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’t even realize as a child was a possibility.

“I’m a firm believer in if you can see it, you can be it. I didn’t see someone who looked like me doing weather until I was much older,” Wooten said, recalling the first time he watched Florida State University 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.

“It wasn’t 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’s how I landed in TV weather,” Wooten said.

After earning his first bachelor’s 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’s Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science topped the list.

“I 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,” Wooten said.

Wooten arrived at FSU in 2016, pursuing his bachelor's in meteorology with a minor in mathematics. The workload didn’t come easy even though he had always excelled in school.

“After class, I studied in Dirac Science Library 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,” 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’s top breaking weather news, including countless hurricanes, winter storms and tornadoes. Viewers connected with Wooten’s warm personality and his keen ability to make the science of meteorology accessible.

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

Even off-screen, Wooten’s 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 “America’s Science Lab,” a series of physics and weather experiments geared toward elementary school students. In 2022, he was named to Forbes’ prestigious “30 Under 30” 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’s 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’s 75th Anniversary Homecoming weekend where he was honored as one of the FSU Alumni Association’s 2023 Grads Made Good. 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.

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

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

“I am so excited for Tevin and what he’s accomplished,” Huff said. “I know he is worthy of the honor as he represents Florida State University 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’t be a prouder mentor and FSU Seminole!”

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

“My favorite thing about being a meteorologist is the opportunity to influence at least one aspiring kid, who maybe doesn’t know what they want to do with their life when they get older,” he said. “This is my opportunity to be a beacon of light for them. I don’t take that for granted.”