At the Forefront of Coastal Science and Public Impact

Founded in 2005, the Urban Coast Institute was created to harness the University’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and surrounding coastal communities. From the beginning, its work has centered on the interaction between human activity and coastal and marine systems, with an emphasis on research that informs public policy and real-world decision-making.

The UCI brings together faculty, students, and partners across disciplines to address complex environmental challenges through science-informed policy and collaboration. Its work spans marine and environmental science, law and public policy, planning, economics, and the social sciences, translating research into practical insights for communities, agencies, and organizations navigating environmental change.

Over two decades, UCI research and partnerships have expanded in both scope and scale, advancing data-driven approaches to ocean and coastal management, supporting communities planning for flooding and sea-level rise, and strengthening long-term monitoring of water quality and ecosystem conditions. That work is also integrated into the student experience.

Through competitive grants and experiential programs, the UCI enables students to participate directly in fieldwork, data collection, policy research, and community engagement. Support includes year-round funding through the Heidi Lynn Sculthorpe Scholars Program, contributions to the School of Science’s Summer Research Program, and faculty enrichment grants that advance research, teaching innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration across campus.

In total, the UCI has supported more than 300 student researchers, funded over 100 student research projects, and awarded more than 50 faculty enrichment grants—strengthening academic inquiry while preparing students to apply their knowledge in professional settings.

The annual Future of the Ocean Symposium and Champion of the Ocean Awards have become a defining expression of the UCI’s mission. Each year, the event brings leading national voices to campus to engage students and the public on the most pressing ocean issues of the moment, while also serving as a key fundraiser supporting student research and experiential learning.

The 2025 program reflected both continuity and momentum. The National Champions of the Ocean honored during the luncheon were Larry Mayer, recognized for his pioneering work in mapping and visualizing the seafloor and water column; U.S. Representative Frank Pallone, honored for his sustained leadership on environmental and coastal policy; and Victor Vescovo, whose deep-ocean exploration has yielded significant scientific discoveries and data.

The anniversary year also produced a lasting investment in student opportunity. A major fundraising effort in 2025 generated more than $2 million in support for the Institute and its future and led to the creation of the Tony MacDonald Internship and Experiential Education Fellowship Fund, a permanent resource dedicated to expanding hands-on learning aligned with the UCI’s mission.

The fellowship supports undergraduate students pursuing internships, applied research, policy analysis, and related projects in coastal, marine, and environmental science, law, and policy. Awards support student stipends, fieldwork and data collection, conference participation, and other experiences that connect academic study to professional practice.

The fund reflects a long-standing UCI priority: ensuring that students gain the experience and perspective needed for careers in government, industry, academia, and nonprofit organizations. It also recognizes the leadership of Tony MacDonald, who stepped down in 2025 after guiding the Institute from its founding through two decades of growth and national engagement, and who continues to serve the University as a senior ocean policy fellow.

As the Urban Coast Institute enters its third decade, it does so with a clear sense of purpose. The 20th anniversary year underscored how sustained investment in research, partnerships, and students can produce long-term public impact.

For Monmouth University, the UCI offers a clear example of how applied research and experiential learning reinforce one another. For students, it opens doors to transformative opportunities. And for the broader community, it remains a trusted forum for advancing understanding and action along the coast and in the ocean environments that shape our future.