Andie Forbes, an accomplished honors environmental, soil, and water science major at the Dale Bumpers College of Agriculture, Food, and Life Sciences, has been named as a recipient of the Nationally Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship.
The prestigious NOAA Hollings scholarship offers successful undergraduate applicants an academic scholarship of $9,500 per year for two years, accompanied by a 10-week full-time paid summer internship at a NOAA facility. This internship, situated between the first and second years of the award, provides scholars with invaluable hands-on practical experiences in various NOAA-related disciplines including science, research, technology, management, and education activities.
Reflecting on her passion for coastal environments, Forbes expressed her deep-seated connection to the ocean since her visit to the Oregon Coast in 2019, stating, “From that moment, I have wanted to pursue a career in protecting coastal environments.”
The NOAA Hollings Scholarship aims to:
Enhance undergraduate training in oceanic and atmospheric science, research, technology, and education.
Foster multidisciplinary training opportunities.
Increase public understanding and support for the stewardship of the ocean and atmosphere, thus improving environmental literacy.
Recruit and prepare students for public service careers with NOAA and other natural resource and science agencies at all levels of government.
Prepare students for careers as teachers and educators in oceanic and atmospheric science, thereby enhancing scientific and environmental education across the United States.
Forbes further elaborated on her aspirations, emphasizing her dedication to marine research and coastal management/policy careers facilitated by the NOAA Hollings Scholarship. She expressed gratitude for the opportunities the scholarship presents, including hands-on experience and mentorship, making her once unlikely dream career now seem within reach.
Jeff Edwards, dean of the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food, and Life Sciences, commended Forbes as an exemplary scholar with an outstanding academic track record and a profound commitment to the study of coastal marine life. He emphasized the significance of the NOAA Hollings internship as an enriching opportunity that Forbes will fully embrace.
Looking ahead, Forbes intends to pursue a master’s degree in marine resource management or environmental management, furthering her dedication to the preservation and sustainability of coastal ecosystems.
About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas’ flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in over 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A plays a pivotal role in contributing to Arkansas’ economy through education, entrepreneurship, research, and job development. Renowned for its research activities, the U of A is classified by the Carnegie Foundation among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation.
