ECOS Fall Kickoff Connects Students to Paid Fellowships, Field Trips, and Real-World Solutions

From the ocean to the Everglades, Florida Atlantic University's newest generation of environmental leaders just got their marching orders - and plenty of funding to back them up. Florida Atlantic University’s School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability (ECOS) welcomed undergraduate students at a vibrant fall semester kickoff on Sept. 8, held on the Sanson Life Sciences Patio at the Boca Raton campus.

By removing financial barriers through targeted scholarships, paid internships, research fellowships, and funded field trips to Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (HBOI), WLW-ECOS opportunities ensure that every student has access to immersive, hands-on learning. Advisors, mentors, and ambassadors showcased how these funded opportunities allow students to focus entirely on turning their environmental interests into active, real-world impact.

Several notable guests attended the event, including FAU President Adam Hasner and First Lady Jillian Hasner, as well as donors Wayne and Lucretia Weiner.

Numerous clubs and organizations from around the university had tables at the event to showcase the range of ways to engage in ECOS-related activities. This year’s participating groups included the Career Center, Center for Teaching and Learning, Science Learning Center, Riverwoods Field Lab, Chemistry/Biochemistry, Environmental Science, Marine Science and Oceanography, Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions (CUES), Primatology, Geoscience, Elasmo Lab, SEEDS Club, Sustainability Club. External organizations also joined the event, such as the Marine Research Hub, that regularly seek student environmental innovators and leaders.

As part of the festivities, students completed an interactive field log activity to explore the available opportunities, enjoying free pizza and ice cream while entering for a chance to win prizes. To capture the energy of the day, students also unleashed their creativity at a custom button-making booth for a unique keepsake.

Learn more about WLW-ECOS undergraduate scholarships and opportunities.