The Urban Coast Institute (UCI) has awarded endowed scholarships to five outstanding Monmouth University students for the 2024-25 school year. Four received support for the first time beginning this semester: Sage Phelps (Urban Coast Institute Endowed Scholarship), Rebecca Pimentel (Rita Mangan UCI Endowed Scholarship), Christopher Reigel (Ann and Alfred Ferguson ’13HN Scholarship), and Siena Zisa (MacDonald Family UCI Endowed Scholarship). In addition, the UCI renewed an Ann and Alfred Ferguson ’13HN Scholarship for 2023 recipient Brooke van de Sande, a senior marine and environmental biology and policy student.
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.
The Ann and Alfred L. Ferguson ’13HN UCI Endowed Scholarship and MacDonald Family UCI Endowed Scholarship have been available since 2020, the Urban Coast Institute Endowed Scholarship was established by the UCI Advisory Committee in 2021, and the Rita Mangan UCI Endowed Scholarship was made available for the first time in 2023. Click here to learn about other student funding opportunities available through the UCI (Monmouth login credentials required).
Scroll below to meet this year’s new endowed scholarship recipients below. Click here to view profiles of last year’s recipients.
New Recipients
Sage Phelps
Class and Major: First-year, Marine and Environmental Biology and Policy
In Her Own Words: “Growing up by the beach, I have always had a passion for caring about and protecting the environment around me. I always tried to participate in my local beach cleanups and learn about the world around me whenever I could. I think Monmouth has such an awesome program to offer and I am excited to see what the future holds for me here.”
Rebecca Pimentel
Class and Major: Junior, Marine and Environmental Biology and Policy
In Her Own Words: “Through research projects aimed at understanding and conserving marine biodiversity, I hope to contribute to the global effort to protect our oceans and the countless species that call them home. By participating in community outreach programs and educational initiatives, I aim to inspire future generations to appreciate and safeguard our marine environments.”
Christopher Reigel
Class and Major: Junior, Marine and Environmental Biology and Policy
In His Own Words: “As a lifelong fisherman, I have always been drawn to the ocean and intrigued by the creatures that inhabit it. Specifically, studying the impacts of human society on ocean ecosystems, especially on the species that we utilize as resources (for food or otherwise), has always interested me. With such a minuscule ability to monitor what is really happening in our vast ocean, how do we protect and maintain our global ocean ecosystem and fisheries?”
Siena Zisa
Class and Major: Junior, Marine and Environmental Biology and Policy
In Her Own Words: “I hope in the future to use my knowledge of GIS to integrate environmental data into interactive maps and platforms to educate citizens. Showing communities environmental issues through the form of GIS deliverables can make research results more understandable for the general public, and hopefully raise more awareness for prevalent local issues such as water quality or sea level rise.”
