Welcome to the
USVI HUB
Hello from the U.S. Virgin Islands!
We are excited to offer this opportunity to USVI youth who wish to remain in or return to their island home.
The Navigating Home USVI Hub is a partnership between the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) and territorial partners, like the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR), the National Park Service, and The Nature Conservancy, among others.
“This program provides opportunities for Virgin Islanders to pursue careers in STEM in the U.S. Virgin Islands and builds on the strong relationships we have developed over many years with partners, like the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources, who provide placements for graduates. Often these turn into full-time positions, which is the program’s long-term goal,” said project lead, Dr. Kristin Wilson Grimes of UVI’s Center for Marine and Environmental Studies.
“If it wasn’t for this Fellowship I probably wouldn’t have applied for my Masters program. This experience has really encouraged me into the right direction...it’s the push I needed.”
USVI Workforce Fellows
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Chloé Camacho
Long-term Fellow August 2023 - 2025
Mentored by Dr. Marilyn Brandt,
University of the Virgin Islands. -
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Miranda Goad
Short-term Fellow April - June 2024
Mentored by Dr. Richard Nemeth,
University of the Virgin Islands.
Let’s create change together.
We are recruiting Workforce Fellows and Engaging Hosts.
Positions are available for 2-3 Short-term Fellows and 1-2 Long-Term Fellows per year.
To be eligible for this program, applicants must have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree and be from the U.S. Virgin Islands (e.g., graduated from a Virgin Islands high school).
Applicants must be experienced and interested in marine, environmental, sustainability science or engineering and able to show proof of local residency prior to post-secondary education (e.g. high school diploma). Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and positions open until filled.
Short-term Fellowships (2.5 months):
Stipend
One-way airfare to return to VI (up to $500)
Mental Health first aid training
One-on-one or small group mentoring
Mentoring workshops
Science communication and public engagement training with the University of Utah STEM Ambassador Program
Travel monies support to present at and attend the Coastal & Estuarine Research Federation or the National Diversity in STEM Conference put on by the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)
Additional monies for materials and supplies to support the fellowship
Funding to pursue a professional development opportunity that supports career goals and the fellowship placement
Long-Term Fellowships (1 – 2 years):
The benefits listed above
Health insurance and retirement benefits as UVI employees
Purchase of a computer (this must be returned to the program at the end of the fellowship)
Stipend to support moving expenses (reimbursable with receipts)
Are you interested in hosting a Workforce Fellow?
Be part of an initiative that plays a crucial role in advancing diversity, inclusion, and participation in the geosciences within the U.S. territories of Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Our grant will fund airfare and an annual salary. We want you, the host agency, to help us gather students interested in marine, environmental sustainability sciences or engineering and give them the chance to start their career at home.
Become A Fellow
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Mentor A Fellow
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Become A Fellow ✳︎ Mentor A Fellow ✳︎
MEET THE USVI TEAM
PI
I am a Research Associate Professor in the Center for Marine & Environmental Studies at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI). My research examines human impacts to nearshore environments, especially mangroves.
At UVI, I teach in the Masters of Marine & Environmental Science program, mentor students, and engage the community through outreach and education, running the Mangroves in the Classroom project and the territory-wide Great Mangrove Cleanups.
I lead the NSF Includes SEAS Islands Alliance, a $10M National Science Foundation-funded network that supports students from middle school through to the workforce in the marine and environmental sciences from the USVI, Puerto Rico, and Guam. I am also the Director for the Virgin Islands Water Resources Research Institute, a network of 54 institutes across the US in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey.
Co-PI
I am the Co-PI for the USVI Hub for Navigating Home and has mentored several Workforce Fellows. Born and raised in St. Thomas, I am passionate about protecting the U.S. Virgins. Currently, I am the Director of the newly created Division of Territorial Parks & Protected Areas within the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources (VI DPNR). During my time working in the VI DPNR, I have led environmental outreach initiatives, provided project management, and connected the environmental community through networking and event facilitation. My programs, such as Science Saturday, VI Clean Coasts, and Refill Bottles, Not Dumpsters, work with the community to bring attention and action to environmental issues facing the territory.
Communication Specialist
I am the Communication Specialist for VI-EPSCoR and I’m excited to function in this role for Navigating Home as well. As a multi-generational Virgin Islander and parent, the goals of Navigating Home have special meaning for me.
I am trained as a fine artist and appreciate the opportunity to bring my visual and communication skills to this project. In this program, I manage communication and community awareness for the USVI Hub.
Program Coordinator
I am the Program Coordinator for the USVI Hub. My role has allowed me to work on many different projects within science communication, one of which is Navigating Home. This project is special to me as I was raised in the USVI and understand, firsthand, the importance of education and job opportunities curated for island natives. I'm excited help facilitate Navigating Home.
