On Thursday, June 12, 2025, the School of Marine and Environmental Affairs celebrated the Class of 2025, honoring 21 students who earned their Master of Marine Affairs (MMA) degrees. These graduates now join an esteemed community of nearly 1,000 alumni and world-class policymakers dedicated to building a resilient future in marine and environmental affairs.
The ceremony began with opening remarks from SMEA Director Dr. 

The 2025 capstone and thesis projects at SMEA showcased a diverse range of interdisciplinary research addressing important environmental and social issues. Capstone teams collaborated with external partners to tackle real-world challenges, from enhancing environmental justice in flood management to exploring community benefit agreements for equitable renewable energy expansion. Our thesis-track students engaged in rigorous, independent research with topics ranging from marine science to policy analysis. 

Describe your experience in applying to and selecting a graduate program.

Applying to graduate school was one of the most difficult things I have ever done. Not necessarily because it was hard to put together an application, but because of the mental blocks that paralyzed me from even beginning. It took the pandemic, the realization that life was too short to not pursue your passions, and a LOT of therapy to get me to even apply. 

Congratulations to our soon-to-be graduates for the 2025 theses and capstone presentations! 

Why did you decide to pursue a master’s in 
marine affairs?

To expand my knowledge of the different industries related to marine affairs and ecology.

Describe your experience in applying to and selecting a graduate program.

I had researched a variety of schools but had my heart set on going to UW. I had applied to a few programs at the school but SMEA was my top choice

How did you first hear about SMEA? 

Please join us on Friday, May 16 and 23, as some of our soon-to-be graduates share their theses and capstone work.
Presentations will be followed by a short Q&A.
Join us in person in MAR 168, or over Zoom:
https://washington.zoom.us/j/96145092750?pwd=FuVYbVxI0fbi37CaFV6aaiaOprdbaS.1
Meeting ID: 961 4509 2750
Passcode: 292533
We look forward to having you join us!
We look forward to having you join us! 

The Husky 100 recognizes 100 UW undergraduate and graduate students who are making the most of their time at the UW. SMEA second-year Elyse Kelsey has been selected as one of the 100! Congratulations Elyse!
 
Elyse Kelsey

LinkedIn

Sammamish, WA
Master of Marine Affairs; Graduate Certificate in Climate Change and Health

I am passionate about working with communities to protect public health by enhancing their resilience to natural hazards and climate change. 

The Northwest Straits Foundation is proud to welcome the 2025 Caroline Gibson Scholars in Marine Studies. The scholarship honors NWSF Director Caroline Gibson’s enduring legacy to the Salish Sea. During her lifetime, Caroline worked selflessly to build a diverse community of passionate individuals, organizations, and agencies committed to restoring its coastlines, waters, and habitat. Two SMEA students were recipients of this award: second-year student Taylor Hughes, and first-year student Isaac Olson. 

Sara Adams, SMEA student and Program Manager at Quiet Sound, highlights the achievements that earned her program a Sustainable Century Award for Environmental Education and Outreach from the Port of Seattle.

On May 10th and 17th, we had 19 thesis presentations and two capstone presentations which showcased research across a variety of disciplines. For those who could not join us, the recordings of the presentations are available below.