Horticulture Alumnus Returns to His Roots to Help STLCC Grow

July 14, 2026

Posted by STLCC in Programs and Pathways 

When Joe Enger wanted to grow in his career, he turned to St. Louis Community College. Later, when he wanted a job that gave him pride and purpose, he returned to STLCC.

Enger, now supervisor of grounds at STLCC, began his horticulture career at the Missouri Botanical Garden. He had just earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Truman State University when he started working there as a seasonal employee.

That job led to steady work with another company. By then, Enger knew horticulture was the field he wanted to pursue. But he also knew he needed more training.

"I needed to learn the trade better," he said. "St. Louis Community College has one of the only horticulture degree programs in the Midwest. And they run an incredible program. It's two years. It's really tight. It's really high-quality education.

"I use that degree every single day of my working life."

Building His Skills

Enger has earned three degrees. After completing STLCC's horticulture program in 2021, he went on to Cornell University. There, he earned a master of professional studies degree through the School of Integrative Plant Science.

After graduating, Enger returned to St. Louis to be with his now-wife and quickly found work. Eventually, he came back to STLCC's horticulture department. He worked with Jerry Pence, horticulture program coordinator, as the horticultural lead.

Enger said his time at STLCC, both as a student and employee, helped shape his career.

"When Joe joined our staff after graduating from Cornell, it was obvious that he had received a great education and honed his skills," Pence said. "He was a great asset in the horticulture department, and the College's grounds department is lucky to have him.

"He's an example of what our students can achieve and do achieve once they go off into the real world."

STLCC's Horticulture Program

STLCC's horticulture program combines classroom lessons with real-world learning. Students work in modern labs, greenhouses and outdoor learning spaces.

The program also includes a 10-acre garden classroom with many gardens and plant collections. These spaces give students experience with plants, landscapes and horticulture technology.

Students also learn from industry professionals and build connections that can help them after graduation.

Graduates work in many areas of the horticulture and green industries. They may work for municipal parks, botanical gardens, biotech labs, garden centers, greenhouses, park districts and nature reserves. Some also work for or own companies focused on landscape management, garden design, irrigation, tree care, native plants, sustainable gardens and food production.

Wanting More

Enger enjoyed working in STLCC's horticulture program, but he wanted a new challenge. He wanted to work in a larger setting, use more of his skills and continue to grow in the field.

Once again, STLCC was the right fit.

Enger started his current role in October 2024. Since then, he has enjoyed the work, the team and the chance to make a visible difference across the College.

"I'm outside every day," he said. "I work with a great crew who's doing really good work. Everybody's working for the beautification of the campuses. And there are interesting things happening with the new landscapes being installed. It's an interesting job.

"It's very publicly facing. It's work that's seen and enjoyed by hundreds of people every day, if not thousands."

Making Campus More Beautiful

Enger is especially proud of two recent projects.

First, the grounds team added bright color across the district by planting tulips. But the team did not let the flower bulbs go to waste after blooming. Instead, they dug them up, prepared them and gave them to community members during the annual Springfest celebration at each campus.

The team also planted nearly 50 trees on the Forest Park campus. A grant from the Missouri Department of Conservation helped make the project possible. The new trees replaced some that had to be removed and added more shade and beauty for students, employees and visitors.

Enger's knowledge and experience were important to both projects.

"Having Joe as part of the grounds management team has been a true asset to the College," said Christa Taylor, grounds manager. "His passion for horticulture, combined with his experience and International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist credentials, played an important role in securing the cost-share grant for the Forest Park campus, adding 50 trees to the canopy.

"Joe's creativity and care can also be seen in the beautiful spring bulb displays across the district. Beyond his work, he is always willing to share his knowledge, training grounds staff in proper techniques and best practices while creating a welcoming and supportive team environment."

Looking Ahead

Enger said working at STLCC has given him chances to grow in his career and share ideas. While he cannot do anything he wants, he said his supervisors listen to his suggestions and encourage him to think in creative ways.

He is also quick to praise his coworkers. Some have taken the lead in designing annual flower beds on their own.

"It's about unleashing the creativity that was there," Enger said. "I've been really lucky. I really enjoy this work. It gives me a lot of space to grow."

If he could do anything across STLCC's four campuses, Enger said he would plant 10,000 trees on each one.

He dreams of making STLCC more than a place with colorful plants and beautiful trees. He imagines the campuses as outdoor learning labs where horticulture students and students in other programs could learn from the natural spaces around them.

Visitors could also come to campus and explore different species of trees.

That dream may not happen exactly as he imagines it, but Enger said he is proud of what the grounds team has already accomplished.

"The things we've done, all that stuff that is the budget-friendly option, is in a lot of ways the right thing to do," he said. "You shouldn't throw away your tulips every year. You should be planting new trees before the old trees die. It's not really about grounds stuff. You should just do these things.

"I really enjoy having a job where the people who are managing me get that."