Dear SMEA Community,

With the academic year well underway, I’m excited to report on the work of the SMEA Director’s Council. Formed in May of 2023, the Council supports the Director of SMEA in their efforts to strategically position the school and its resources for the challenges our institution and society face in the 21^st Century.  We are a diverse group of eight passionate members of the SMEA community with careers and experiences that reflect the interdisciplinary and collaborative philosophy of SMEA itself.

The Director’s Council recognizes the critical role that SMEA, its faculty, students and alumni play in addressing the challenges society faces, and we enthusiastically invite the broader SMEA Community to join us in supporting the school in ways that are most meaningful to each you.

Key to our efforts is engaging with our amazing SMEA alumni, 900-plus strong across the globe, to share our common interests in SMEA’s mission, to highlight the school’s excellent faculty and their research, and to connect with students and their developing careers.  We’re thrilled with the level of alumni participation in SMEA events both big and small, and the ways that these events increase awareness of SMEA’s programs and national prominence, and strengthen networking connections among the entire SMEA community.

The Director’s Council acts as a sounding board and a source of ideas, connections, and resources to support SMEA Director Nives Dolsak’s goals for the school. Our highest priorities focus on supporting SMEA graduate students to ensure, as Nives succinctly put it, that SMEA is able “to recruit and retain the highest caliber students as they launch their careers in marine and environmental sectors.”  We’ve assisted in the creation of a mentoring program, initiated the 2024 Spring Speaker Series on Careers in Marine and Environmental Affairs, and identified partner organizations for new Capstone Projects.

And yes, we also brainstorm ways to reduce the financial burden that many SMEA students face: juggling jobs, education and often family responsibilities.  If you’ve had the opportunity to meet SMEA students at any of our events you know that they’re inquisitive, energetic, creative and motivated to make a difference in the world.   But don’t just take our word for it.  Read about their work in  Currents: A Student Blog; find out how they’re applying their SMEA coursework, Capstone Projects, and thesis research to solve today’s problems from the Salish Sea to Alaska to Bangladesh. Read about the papers and reports they’re publishing and the presentations they’re making to policymakers and communities in the SMEA News.

Between now and the year’s end, you can make a big impact with your financial support of SMEA students by making a gift to the SMEA Graduate Student Fellowship Fund.  A generous match of $15,000 by three anonymous donors will double your gift!  Special thanks to all who have already donated to support students and other SMEA funds this fall – we appreciate you!

Please join the Director’s Council in support of SMEA to train the next generation of marine and environmental policy leaders in whatever way is most meaningful to you.  Whether you’re looking to achieve your philanthropic goals, have an interest in sharing your expertise as a mentor or advisor in career planning, or simply wish to expand your SMEA community network, you’re engagement with SMEA at any level is welcome. Please consider donating to our Graduate Student Fellowship Fund, and whether you’re interested in our mentor program, capstone projects or connecting with the Alumni Council, please contact SMEA Alumni Outreach. The feedback and communications we’ve received from our social events have been approving and we’re very grateful for the generous support for SMEA that many of you have shown.

Thank you!

Dan Hull

On behalf of the SMEA Director’s Council

• Tanya Pelach
• David Fluharty
• Annika Saltman
• Allen Shimada
• Devon Emily Thorsell
• Usha Varanasi
• Brett Veerhusen