UOG sustainability partners unite to welcome students at orientation with comprehensive outreach experience

The University of Guam’s commitment to sustainability and student opportunity was on full display during the recent UOG New Student Orientation event organized by the UOG’s student services team, where a coalition of campus programs came together to present a unified, student-focused welcome.

The University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant (UOG CIS & Sea Grant), NSF Navigating Home, Guam NSF EPSCoR, the SEAS Islands Alliance, and Guam Green Growth collaborated to host a comprehensive booth designed to introduce new and returning students to a wide range of academic, research, and fellowship opportunities centered on sustainability and island resilience.

Rather than operating as separate programs, the partners intentionally created a shared space that highlighted how their efforts intersect—connecting environmental research, workforce development, Indigenous knowledge, and community-based solutions. Staff and student representatives were on hand throughout the event to answer questions, distribute informational materials, and encourage students to explore pathways that align with their academic interests and career goals.

“Our goal was to make it easy for students to see the bigger picture,” said Gabby Topasna from UOG CIS & Sea Grant. “These programs are deeply connected, and together they offer students hands-on experiences, paid fellowships, research opportunities, and mentorship focused on sustainability issues that matter here on Guam and across the region.”

Students visiting the booth learned about opportunities ranging from undergraduate research and internships to fellowships and professional development programs supported by the National Science Foundation. Programs such as Navigating Home and Guam NSF EPSCoR emphasized pathways for students to engage in place-based research, while the SEAS Islands Alliance and Guam Green Growth showcased regional partnerships and applied solutions aimed at building a more sustainable island future.

“The student experience is a large part of what makes our programs successful,” said Franki Guerrero from Guam NSF EPSCoR. “Showing them the opportunities that lie within our programs that not only help them learn and get that hands-on experience but also help them deal with some of the costs via our stipends, really goes a long way in helping them navigate through this time of their lives.”

The collaborative booth also served as a platform to highlight ongoing sustainability initiatives at UOG, reinforcing the university’s role as a leader in addressing climate change, environmental stewardship, and economic resilience in island communities.

Programs represented include:

UOG CIS and Sea Grant Turtle Program

Guam NSF EPSCoR (E-Core and E-Rise)
Micronesia Challenge
Guihan for Guahan
Guam Restoration of Watersheds (GROW)
UOG CIS and Sea Grant Natural Resources (Island Conservation Lab)
Guam Green Growth Action Framework
G3 Circular Economy Makerspace and Innovation Hub
NSF Navigating Home & SEAS Islands Alliance
UOG CIS and Sea Grant Community Engagement

For many students, the booth was their first introduction to the breadth of sustainability-focused work taking place on campus. Organizers said the response underscored the value of presenting a coordinated message that connects academic programs with real-world impact.

As UOG continues to expand its sustainability and research initiatives, presenters noted that events like student orientation are critical moments to engage students early, helping them see how their education can contribute to meaningful solutions for Guam and the wider region.