About

The University of South Alabama Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sciences is recruiting students to form the 3rd annual cohort of Gulf Scholars, a program supported by the National Academies Gulf Research Program. This program is designed to help students gain the knowledge and skills to become future leaders and change agents for a more sustainable and resilient Gulf of Mexico.

The Gulf Scholars Program at South is open to current students and transfer students within their first or second undergraduate year across all majors on campus and requires a two-year long commitment. The program includes field trips, community engagement, formal mentorship opportunities, a funded research experience, and skills development in leadership, innovation, communication and teamwork.

Fall 2024 / Spring 2025 Application Info TBA

Mission

The University of South Alabama Gulf Scholars Program’s mission is to recruit, engage and train undergraduate students from all majors for transdisciplinary careers in environmental and social sustainability and resilience of Gulf social-ecological systems. 

Vision

To create a community of undergraduate students equipped with the technical skills, critical thinking, and community network engagement necessary for innovation and entrepreneurship in promoting the quality of civic life, and sustainability of Gulf communities. 

Goals

  • Build a Gulf Scholars community and learning environment that is focused on the sustainability of our ecosystems and societies along the Gulf Coast. 
  • Promote contextual understanding of Gulf Coast resilience challenges and cultures
  • Develop the technical competencies, ethical framework and interdisciplinary teaming required to effectively and equitably address these resilience challenges
  • Foster and communicate outcomes of socially relevant and responsive resilience problem solving
  • Cultivate leadership and innovation surrounding future hazard resilience and climate adaptation

Learning Outcomes

  • Knowledge of the Gulf of Mexico and its coastal zone  
  • Intercultural knowledge and competencies 
  • Social responsibility and ethical reasoning 
  • Interdisciplinary and integrative learning 
  • Innovation and entrepreneurship in promoting the quality of civic life, equity and sustainability of Gulf communities