I began my academic journey at a community college, then transferred to my dream school: University of California, San Diego (UCSD) as a Marine Biology major. In fact, I just completed my first year! Before I transferred to UCSD, I presented my summer research with the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program at the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science National Conference in Washington, DC. and PEP was there. Like many, I heard many noteworthy accomplishments about Woods Hole which initially intimidated me to walk past their table.

Breaking news to all those who have known and loved Roxy, the Cramer’s charismatic stove: Roxy is now in a better place. Namely, the shipyard floor. She is currently waiting to be moved to her happy retirement location. Roxy will be replaced with a new electric stove. Name suggestions are open.

We will welcome the first session of SEASCape 2017 to campus on Monday, July 3rd. This three-week summer program at SEA offers motivated high school students the opportunity to study the marine environment from a variety of perspectives – scientific, historical, literary, and nautical. Participants live and study at our campus in Woods Hole, Massachusetts.

The students of S-274, Protecting the Phoenix Islands, will join the SSV Robert C. Seamans in American Samoa, by July 7th. They will return to American Samoa around August 11th, after 3 port stops in the Phoenix Islands Protected Area, scheduled to be Kanton, Nikamuroru, and Orona.

When I found out I got accepted into the PEP program I was ecstatic. However, I was graduating from college on the same day that I was scheduled to depart NYC for Woods Hole. I felt like all my hard-work was for nothing and went unnoticed. A few weeks into the program I was surprised by my PEP colleagues who planned a graduation ceremony for me.

I could feel my hands getting clammy as I got off the Peter Pan bus in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. It was 9:30 PM and in a couple minutes, I was going to be greeted by Dr. Adrienne George.  While waiting for Dr. George, I was lucky to have met another PEP student, Lynnette. Lynette and I were both from the UC system and we both knew what an honor it was to be selected into the Partnership Education Program. On our way to the SEA campus, I couldn’t help but smile.

I first heard about this program from one of my research advisors at Georgia State University.  I was working at the XRD, Dr. Kabengi walks into the lab, hands me a pamphlet, and says “you need to apply to this.” So I do. I had already applied to a few other summer programs and had gotten accepted to one of them; I had even accepted their invitation.  One evening, a few weeks later, I get a phone call from a gentleman named Dr. Ambrose Jearld, asking me to please email him a copy of my transcripts.

I have been in Woods Hole for PEP for about 3 weeks now. I had applied because I was the top in aquatics at Tuskegee University and so far it has been a real adventure of education!

It’s been nearly two weeks since the Corwith Cramer arrived at Front Street Shipyard, and the SEA crew and local shipyard workers have been keeping busy. Long hours have been put into hauling the ship out of the water, removing the masts, and preparing her for the long maintenance period ahead.

One of the best parts about being in the Partnership Education Program is getting to explore the different towns in New England. On Friday June 23, 2017, we went to Gloucester and learned about the different research and jobs performed at the Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office. We also learned about the many positions available to both undergrad and graduate research interns.