By Matthew Cimitile, University Communications and Marketing
From booming cities to natural disasters, Florida’s Gulf coast has experienced seismic activity in recent years. A new program will provide students paid learning opportunities to further explore the complex challenges facing the region, while introducing them to research early on in their academic journey.
The University of South Florida is one of six higher education institutions this year to be awarded $600,000 from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to launch a Gulf Scholars program.
Starting in fall 2026, approximately 20 undergraduate students from all majors will be selected to engage in a two-year academic experience that includes Gulf-themed coursework, experiential learning, participation in a scholar’s symposium and the creation of a public-facing Gulf Impact Project. Each student receives up to $3,500 in scholarships as well as guidance from faculty and community experts from a multitude of fields, with a strong emphasis on leadership development and peer mentorship.
“The Gulf Scholars program is going to provide a remarkable opportunity for students to conduct meaningful work through several disciplinary lenses, influencing their own career path while they make an impact in their community,” said Catherine Wilkins, professor of instruction in the Judy Genshaft Honors College who will direct the program.
Each year, a new crop of students will be selected, giving them early opportunities to engage with the community and prepare them with the skills, knowledge and vision to foster a resilient Gulf region.
Through the program, students will have the opportunity to explore Florida's coastal regions to better understand critical issues.
“This particular program is meant to pair students early on with faculty and community organizations that are actively conducting research related to the Gulf,” said Theresa Burress, university librarian for USF Libraries and co-director of the program. “From there, students can really immerse themselves in a research community earlier than they would normally, and on relevant topics of importance today.”
The Gulf Scholars program is led by the Honors College and USF Libraries, which work with students from all majors. The program will be housed at USF St. Petersburg.
"Our campus is an ideal training ground to further student learning and research on the many issues impacting our dynamic Gulf coast," said USF St. Petersburg Interim Regional Chancellor Thomas Smith. "This program will draw upon our waterfront location, established interdisciplinary programs in Florida Studies and blue humanities, and deep community partnerships with federal, state and local organizations."
Gulf-themed classes will incorporate humanities alongside scientific research and data literacy, covering topics such as coastal hazards, identity of place and shifting population dynamics.
“Students from any major can apply their interests to our dynamic coastal environment and come up with compelling ideas and solutions to regional issues from a lot of different angles,” Burress said.
Students can earn internships with local agencies, conduct community research projects and participate in study abroad or away programs.
Combining humanities with scientific research, students can explore topics from environmental science and water quality to urbanization and population dynamics. [Photo by Cliff McBride.]
Furthermore, classes and educational resources developed through this scholar’s program for the Honors College are to be adapted for general education, reaching a greater student population. Elements will make their way into public events, guest lectures, K-12 educational resources and Osher Lifelong Learning Institute courses to extend Gulf literacy to more than 1,000 community members.
At the conclusion of the two-year experience, all students will complete a capstone Gulf Impact Project that uses community-engaged research to address a pressing problem and share that work in a public forum such as a city council presentation or a research poster talk at the Gulf Scholars Symposium. The Symposium, co-hosted with Eckerd College, will serve as a venue for student scholarship, faculty professional development and community dialogue.
“The shoreline of the Gulf spans many states, with a long, vibrant history of human-environment interactions,” Wilkins said. “Through Gulf Scholars, we hope to show that every discipline can contribute to our greater understanding of the Gulf. Our program will equip students to be the creative thinkers and change makers that our region needs, now and in the future.”
USF joins 30 colleges and universities in the southeastern U.S. with a Gulf Scholars program.