Last month, ninety-four partners, students, faculty and staff from Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands gathered for the University of the Virgin Islands’ SEAS Islands Alliance Summit Showcase on the Orville E. Kean Campus, a dynamic three-day event celebrating collaboration, research, and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) opportunities for island communities.
Hosted by the U.S. National Science Foundation INCLUDES SEAS Islands Alliance (SEAS), the summit brought together scientists, students, and program leaders for interactive sessions that highlighted research achievements and fostered new connections. SEAS is a unique initiative spanning the U.S. territories of Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, dedicated to expanding STEM pathways for islanders and strengthening research networks across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
For many attendees, the summit was their first opportunity to meet in person, making icebreaker activities an essential and enjoyable part of the event. These engaging sessions set the stage for seamless collaboration, allowing participants to share experiences and insights as islanders in STEM. Through creative discussions, program leaders, fellows, and students envisioned new cross-island coastal and ocean science research opportunities. Attendees also explored UVI’s MacLean Marine Science Center, gaining firsthand exposure to ongoing coral and mangrove research and restoration activities in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Now in its sixth year, the SEAS Islands Alliance has led to the development of key workforce initiatives in the U.S. Virgin Islands, including the Navigating Home and Securing STEM Island Pathways projects. These programs have significantly increased workforce participation and created new career opportunities for island-based scientists.
“One of the most powerful impacts of these programs is how they have brought together island students, scientists, and mentors over the years,” said Dr. Kristin Wilson Grimes, SEAS Islands Alliance Lead Principal Investigator, USVI. “It’s been exciting to see so much learning, collaboration, and shared understanding between our island communities. These connections are uniting scientists across the Atlantic and Pacific, strengthening our collective vision for STEM in island territories.”
For participants like Kaitlin Rommelfanger, a SEAS workforce fellow, the program has been life-changing:
“I've always loved science, and this program has been instrumental in my career. It gave me the chance to stay in marine science after my master’s degree—without it, I might have had to look elsewhere for a job. SEAS broadened my horizons, connected me with more people, and gave me the confidence to share my passion for science.”
As the SEAS Islands Alliance continues to grow, its commitment to fostering STEM opportunities for islanders remains stronger than ever.
About SEAS Islands Alliance
The NSF SEAS Islands Alliance is a multi-territory collaboration focused on expanding
STEM education and workforce opportunities for islanders in Guam, Puerto Rico, and
the U.S. Virgin Islands. Through research, mentorship, and hands-on experiences, SEAS
is building a stronger, more connected community of scientists across island territories.
For more information visit:
SEAS Islands Alliance - https://www.seasislandsalliance.org/.
Navigating Home - https://www.navigatinghomeproject.com/
Securing STEM Island Pathways - https://www.securingstemislandpathways.com/
University of the Virgin Islands - https://www.uvi.edu/
