Steve Couture joined Granite State College three years ago after a fellow faculty member recommended that he explore an opportunity to teach at the undergraduate level. Steve works full-time, volunteers in his community, and has served our country. Balancing these roles gives Steve insight into the day-to-day lives of Granite State College students, which helps Steve find common ground with everyone in his classroom.

What course do you teach?

MGMT 500, Principles of Management.

What do you do for work?

I currently serve as the Coastal Program Administrator for the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. I am a natural resource management professional focused on water resource management. I have worked for the Department since 1999, starting as an aquatic biologist before moving on to river management and protection. Now, my current role is focused on coastal water resources and habitat.

What’s one lesson from your professional experience that you’ve shared with your students?

I always stress the importance of strong and clear communication as a key to management.

What’s unique about working with adult students?

In the online classroom, there’s a range of ages, work experiences, and backgrounds. The majority of our students are in the workforce and getting their degree to either improve their present position or to start working in a completely new field. As an instructor, I get feedback about how the course aligns with students’ activities at work. To hear that the material can be applied almost immediately gives me great confidence in the value we’re presenting to our students at Granite State College.

Tell us about your military service.

I served in the U.S. Navy from 1990-1994 as an aviation mechanic working on A-6 Intruders. That service provided me with tuition assistance through the GI Bill^® which I used to get my master’s degree. I joined the NH Army National Guard in 2001 as a mechanic in the Medical Evacuation (Air Ambulance) unit and became an Aviation Operations Specialist (similar to a dispatch) in 2004. We deployed to Iraq twice and Afghanistan once. I am proud of the work we did and the people that I served with. I am still enlisted and value the friendships I have with my fellow guardsmen.

How do you spend your time when you aren’t working or teaching?

I like to hike in the White Mountains, snowboard, and spend time with my family and friends. Running is a big part of my life, as well.

Become a student! View our courses and get started today!