Love Blue Monmouth President Siena Zisa and Vice-President Grace Schleiden and Urban Coast Institute Communications Director and Ocean Data Manager Karl Vilacoba presented on the panel “From Data to Dialogue: Communicating Science and Solutions in the Marine Debris Space” at the 2025 Mid-Atlantic Marine Debris Summit on Nov. 13.

Hosted by the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO) in Dewey Beach, Delaware, the two-day event assembled leaders from state and federal agencies, tribes, non-profit organizations, academia, and other regional partners to strengthen coordination, share updates on current and emerging marine debris issues, and highlight effective prevention and reduction strategies. Additional information and presentation videos can be found on the summit website.

Zisa and Schleiden, both senior marine and environmental biology and policy students, discussed the impacts that the student club’s cleanups have made on reducing beach litter and building student awareness of the issue. They also shared their work with Love Blue Monmouth during a poster session at the summit. Vilacoba presented on his work using the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal as a tool for public engagement and education.

The session was moderated by MARCO Mid-Atlantic Ocean Planning Committee Tribal Co-chair Aiyana Coard of the Shinnecock Indian Nation. Additional panelists included Storm Water Systems Marketing Manager Ian Carson, and Green Fin Studio Vice President Dave Jasinski and Environmental Communication Manager Allison Burbach.

The Jersey Shore Partnership will honor former Urban Coast Institute (UCI) Director and current Senior Ocean Policy Fellow Tony MacDonald with its Hon. S. Thomas Gagliano Founder Award at the organization’s annual Summer Celebration on May 18.

In recognition of the nation’s 250th anniversary, the 2026 celebration will honor America and its coastline under the theme “America’s Shore: 250 Years of Coastal Legacy,” celebrating the leadership, stewardship, and enduring spirit that have shaped the nation and its defining coastal communities. The Summer Celebration brings together corporate leaders, nonprofit organizations, environmental advocates, academics, and elected officials who share a commitment to protecting and preserving New Jersey’s coastline. Held against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean at Sandy Hook, the Summer Celebration honors the people, partnerships, and purpose that sustain the Shore.

Fellow 2026 honorees will include the New Jersey Food Council, recipient of the Business and Industry Award; and New Jersey State Sens. Vin Gopal (D) and Declan J. O’Scanlon Jr. (R), recipients of the Legislative Leadership Awards. The Hon. Joe and Susan Kyrillos will serve as honorary dinner chairs. Frank and Valerie Montecalvo of the Montecalvo/Bayshore Family of Companies will serve as dinner chairs. Jeanette Hoffman, president of Marathon Public Affairs, and Sharon Franz, sales and marketing director of Steel Pier in Atlantic City, will serve as event chairs for Summer Celebration 2026.

For additional details, visit jerseyshorepartnership.com or contact Jersey Shore Partnership Executive Director Grace Hanlon at 732-910-5000 or grace@jerseyshorepartnership.com.

Seven outstanding Monmouth University students have been awarded endowed scholarships for the 2025-26 school year from the Urban Coast Institute (UCI). Three received support for the first time beginning this semester: Chiara Cocoziello (Rita Mangan UCI Endowed Scholarship), Morgan Davis and Maggie Raymond (Ann and Alfred Ferguson ’13HN Scholarships).

In addition, the UCI renewed an Urban Coast Institute Endowed Scholarship for Sage Phelps, a Rita Mangan UCI Endowed Scholarship for Rebecca Pimentel, an Ann and Alfred Ferguson ’13HN Scholarship for Christopher Reigel, and a MacDonald Family UCI Endowed Scholarship for Siena Zisa. All four are marine and environmental biology and policy 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.

Scroll below to meet this year’s new endowed scholarship recipients below. View profiles of last year’s recipients.

First-Time Recipients