The Urban Coast Institute (UCI) has awarded endowed scholarships to four outstanding Monmouth University students for the 2022-23 school year. Mia Najd will receive an Ann and Alfred L. Ferguson ’13HN UCI Endowed Scholarship; Jessica Maguire will receive an Urban Coast Institute Endowed Scholarship; and Nicole Cappolina and Jasmine Barzin will receive MacDonald Family UCI Endowed Scholarships.
The UCI established endowed scholarships at Monmouth to support undergraduate students pursuing a B.S. or B.A. degree including, but not limited to, Marine and Environmental Biology and Policy, Political Science, or a Global Sustainability minor, 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.
The Ann and Alfred L. Ferguson ’13HN UCI Endowed Scholarship and MacDonald Family UCI Endowed Scholarship have been available to support students since the 2020-21 school year. This is the first time the Urban Coast Institute Endowed Scholarship, established by the UCI Advisory Committee, has been awarded. A Rita Mangan UCI Endowed Scholarship will also be made available in 2023.
Meet this year’s endowed scholarship awardees below.
Jasmine Barzin
Class and Major: Junior, Marine and Environmental Biology and Policy
In Her Own Words: “I have always had a passion for helping conserve our marine environments. Throughout my college experience, I hope to travel abroad to make connections while participating in faculty-based research. My future goal is to do in-field research for a marine biology-based organization. I also hope to continue scuba diving and become an instructor.”
Nicole Cappolina
Class and Major: Junior, Marine and Environmental Biology and Policy
In Her Own Words: “I grew up on the coast of Ocean City, New Jersey, and I have always had a passion for the ocean and the environment. My intern experience at the Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center has given me a taste of what it is like to work in the field and I enjoyed every minute of it. At the end of this experience, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in this path.”
Jessica Maguire
Class and Major: Junior, Marine and Environmental Biology and Policy
In Her Own Words: “I am extremely passionate about conservation and protecting the world’s ecosystems because I want to help maintain the earth’s beauty for future generations. My curiosity about the environment has driven me to get involved in research and travel opportunities that have fueled my passion for marine and environmental science even more.”
Mia Najd
Class and Major: Senior, Marine and Environmental Biology and Policy
In Her Own Words: “I define myself as a hardworking, motivated, and passionate environmental and marine biology enthusiast. The program here at Monmouth has given me critical problem-solving skills and confidence in both biology and policy of the environment.”