The Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute (UCI) has awarded Jenna Jackson a MacDonald Family UCI Endowed Scholarship for the 2026-27 school year. In addition, the UCI renewed endowed scholarships for three outstanding Monmouth students: Chiara Cocoziello (Rita Mangan UCI Endowed Scholarship), and Maggie Raymond and Morgan Davis (Ann and Alfred Ferguson ’13HN Scholarships). All four are marine and environmental biology and policy (MEBP) students.
The UCI established endowed scholarships at Monmouth to support undergraduate students with a demonstrated interest in coastal, marine, and environmental studies. The scholarships are intended to encourage Monmouth students to become active, global citizens while fostering an understanding of the coastal and marine environment and communities, legal studies, public policy, and research methods.
Meet Jackson in our Q&A below. Click here to view profiles of last year’s recipients.
Jenna Jackson
Class and Major: Senior, Marine and Environmental Biology and Policy
Hometown Belvidere, New Jersey
What drew you to Monmouth University?
Not only was the MEBP program appealing but the small class sizes and location played a significant role in choosing Monmouth University. As a first-generation student, a smaller school was ideal for me and less stressful, and the location was something familiar to me already but also provided the changes I needed to branch out of my comfort zone. The small class sizes allow for professors and students to form a more personal relationship as well as allow for opportunities to arise that help with your future professional career.
You recently served as an intern with the Arctic Defense Campaign, with a focus on campaigning against fossil fuel extraction in the Alaska Wildlife Refuge. What should people living in our region know about that issue?
People in our region should know that the conservation of areas like the Alaska Wildlife Refuge is important because, for example, many migratory birds from New Jersey will travel to that refuge when summer comes. It is also important to know overall that your voice in local government is important and can influence certain issues including opening up the Arctic Wildlife Refuge for oil drilling.
What are your plans after graduating Monmouth?
After Monmouth I am planning to attend graduate school to get my master’s degree and potentially pursue a Ph.D. I would ideally like a job in the field of conservation as well as volunteer for more nonprofit organizations similar to my internship.
What does earning the MacDonald Family UCI Endowed Scholarship mean to you?
This scholarship is a great honor to receive, and I feel very lucky and cannot thank the UCI enough for this scholarship. Obviously, the financial aspect is extremely helpful, granted I am a full-time student. I have a job, however academics take up most of my time, so this is incredibly helpful.
Where is your favorite beach or coastal spot on the Jersey Shore and why?
My favorite beach spot has to be Asbury Park because I love all the restaurants and stores nearby that I can easily walk to and I love the people there. I am a big fan of music so seeing things such as the Stone Pony and learning all the history of musicians from Jersey is super interesting to me.