The University of Southern Mississippi’s (USM) School of Ocean Science and Engineering (SOSE) recently made an appearance in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s publication of Trash Free Waters. The publication highlighted a week-long student cruise that integrates science, technology, engineering, math (STEM), and the blue economy.
Dr. Jennifer Walker, associate dean for Coastal Operations in the College of Arts and Sciences, leads students on a week-long cruise aboard the R/V Point Sur every year to prepare them for careers in the blue economy. SOSE has been collaborating with the EPA to conduct fieldwork in the Gulf of Mexico.
According to Walker, this partnership provides students with valuable opportunities that help some secure internships and explore potential job opportunities and career paths. Dr. Huy Vu, an EPA researcher, joined one of Walker’s student cruises to gain experience living and working on a research vessel.
The work carried out during the cruise receives high praise and serves as a foundational experience for students interested in research and coastal sustainability. The Gulf of Mexico’s proximity offers countless possibilities for participants to embark on life-changing opportunities.
Walker expressed her hope that this partnership will continue to positively impact students’ lives. For more information about USM’s School of Ocean Science and Engineering or their collaboration with the EPA, visit page four or learn more online about USM’s STEM programs in marine science and engineering.
