The Women DRONERESPONDERS interview series continues with a new episode featuring Justine Hollingshead, Assistant Vice Chancellor at North Carolina State University, focusing on her work integrating drones into higher education, emergency management, and public safety support.
Hosted by Amy T. Wiegand, a member of the DRONERESPONDERS Board of Advisors, the discussion traces Hollingshead’s 30-year career at NC State and her entry into unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Hollingshead began flying drones in 2017 as an amateur photographer and later expanded their use into operational and emergency response settings.
She earned her FAA Part 107 certification in 2018 and became involved in North Carolina’s broader UAS ecosystem, collaborating with organizations including the North Carolina Department of Transportation, NC State’s NextGen Air Transportation Consortium, and public safety partners. Her work has included supporting building assessments during Hurricane Florence and contributing to preparedness efforts within higher education environments.
The interview also highlights NC State’s role in UAS training and outreach, including participation in AUVSI Trusted Operator training and research initiatives with the FAA and FEMA’s ASSURE Center of Excellence. Additional efforts include partnerships with agencies such as the Wake County Sheriff’s Office to support search-and-rescue technology and other public safety applications.
Hollingshead discusses ongoing challenges, including preparedness gaps in higher education and workforce development in UAS, while emphasizing the importance of continued learning and collaboration.
The episode is part of a broader initiative by Women DRONERESPONDERS to support women working in drone operations across public safety sectors, including law enforcement, firefighting, emergency management, and critical infrastructure.
Watch the full episode below:
(AI was used in part to facilitate this article.)
