Three Hollings Alumni awarded Rhodes & Marshall Scholarships

Next fall, three NOAA Hollings Alumni will pursue their graduate studies at Oxford University after being awarded prestigious scholarships.

(Image credit: NOAA)

Jory Fleming and Meghan Shea, 2015 Hollings Scholars, were named as two of the 32 American Rhodes Scholars for 2017. Bailey Anderson, also a 2015 Hollings Scholar, was one of 40 students to be selected for a 2017 British Marshall Scholarship. As Hollings Scholars, all three students conducted summer internships with NOAA.

Jory Fleming is a double major in geography and marine science with a minor in geophysics at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC. He conducted his Hollings internship this summer with the National Ocean Service at the Office for Coastal Management in Charleston, SC. His project was entitled “Visualizing sea level rise to examine the nexus of climate change and socio-economic security”, and he was recognized for an exceptional presentation during the annual Science & Education Forum. An advocate for literacy and science education, Jory volunteers with PAALS (Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services) and Cocky’s Reading Express. Jory plans to pursue a graduate degree in the School of Geography and the Environment at Oxford University. He will be accompanied by his faithful service dog, Daisy.

Hollings Scholar Jory Fleming in Silver Spring, MD, during the annual Science & Education Symposium.
Hollings Scholar Jory Fleming in Silver Spring, MD, during the annual Science & Education Symposium. (Jory Fleming)

Reflecting on his experience as a NOAA Scholar, Jory said, “Working with marine and coastal geographers at NOAA gave me the opportunity to learn from some of the best analysts in my field working on innovative data synthesis and visualization, cartography, and science communication. The opportunity Hollings gave me for personal growth, development in my research, and the opportunity to present at conferences across the country has helped me immensely."

The opportunity Hollings gave me for personal growth, development in my research, and the opportunity to present at conferences across the country has helped me immensely.

Meghan Shea, originally from West Chester, PA, is majoring in environmental systems engineering at Stanford University in CA. She spent the summer of 2016 interning with NOAA Research at the Pacific Marine Environmental Lab in Seattle, WA, where she studied the impacts of ocean acidification on a west coast shellfish hatchery. Like Jory, she was recognized with an exceptional student presentation award. She also met the NOAA Administrator, Dr. Kathryn Sullivan, during her internship, who she cites as one of her ocean heroes. At Oxford, Meghan will pursue a master’s degree in Nature, Society and Environmental Governance.

Hollings Scholar Meghan Shea conducts oxygen sampling using a Conductivity, Temperature, Depth (CTD) instrument during her internship with the NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Lab.
Hollings Scholar Meghan Shea conducts oxygen sampling using a Conductivity, Temperature, Depth (CTD) instrument during her internship with the NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Lab. (Richard Feely)

"One of the most rewarding parts of my Hollings internship experience was seeing firsthand how researchers at NOAA, like my mentors, are translating science into policy and using their research to promote change on a broader scale. Now, I'm beyond excited to spend two years at Oxford studying Nature, Society, and Environmental Governance and grounding my future scientific research in these bigger human systems-something that my time at NOAA inspired me to pursue," said Meghan.

Now, I'm beyond excited to spend two years at Oxford studying Nature, Society, and Environmental Governance and grounding my future scientific research in these bigger human systems-something that my time at NOAA inspired me to pursue

2017 Marshall Scholar Bailey Anderson is a geography major with a geology and sociology minor at the University of Texas at Austin. She interned this summer with the National Weather Service at the River Forecast Center in Anchorage, Alaska where she researched the relationship between impact based flood stages and statistical exceedance probabilities. At Oxford University, she will pursue an MPhil degree in Geography: Water Science, Policy and Management.

Hollings Scholar Bailey Anderson surveying on the Matanuska River during her internship with the National Weather Service in Alaska.
Hollings Scholar Bailey Anderson surveying on the Matanuska River during her internship with the National Weather Service in Alaska. (Bailey Anderson)

Bailey remarked, “I think that my experience as a Hollings Scholar was extremely beneficial for developing my interest in water and my understanding of how humans interact with it. I’m so excited to delve deeper into studying this subject at Oxford."

I think that my experience as a Hollings Scholar was extremely beneficial for developing my interest in water and my understanding of how humans interact with it. I’m so excited to delve deeper into studying this subject at Oxford.

The Rhodes Scholarship, considered one of the oldest and most celebrated international fellowship awards in the world, provides all expenses for two or three years of study at England’s University of Oxford. Rhodes Scholars are chosen for their scholarly achievements, character, commitment to others and to the common good, and leadership potential.

The Marshall scholarship, now in its 63rd year, is funded substantially through the government of the United Kingdom. The intention of the Marshall scholarship is to “strengthen the enduring relationship between the British and American peoples, their governments and their institutions,” according to the British Marshall Scholarship website.