May 16, 2002

UM SNRE Student Receives A NOAA
Coastal Management Fellowship

Ruby Pap, a Graduate student at the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources and Environment (SNRE), was recently awarded a fellowship to focus on state-level coastal zone management issues. Ruby was nominated for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Coastal Management Fellowship by George Carignan, Interim Director, Michigan Sea Grant.

Although most of the applicants had technical backgrounds, Ruby was one of two students with a policy background, emphasizing mediation, conflict resolution and inter-agency relations. She was successfully placed at the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission. "I am very excited about working with a number of agencies and organizations to develop a volunteer water quality monitoring program at marinas in the San Francisco Bay."

Ruby's placement will provide her with hands on experience in coastal zone management. "I am interested in inter-agency, and inter-organizational cooperation in natural resources management. Integrated Coastal Zone Management captures these policy aspects because the best way to manage coastal environments is through integration with other agencies and organizations who's own policies may be affecting the coast."

The NOAA Coastal Services Center awarded five such fellowships to qualified students. The highly competitive program is designed to contribute to each student's postgraduate education, professional development, and to contribute to various states coastal zone management programs. Ruby was five out of more than 60 applicants in the selection process. Ten of the finalists traveled to Charleston and five students were selected from the following Universities: the University of Michigan, the University of Charleston, the University of Washington, University of New Hampshire and the University of Maine.

Michigan Sea Grant supports a variety fellowships, see Grants and Fellowships page for more information. Michigan Sea Grant, a cooperative program of the University of Michigan and Michigan State University, is dedicated to the sustainable use of Great Lakes resources. Michigan Sea Grant is part of the National Sea Grant College Program funded by NOAA.