Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences
W&M’s Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences
Preparing students to address societal and global challenges in estuarine, coastal and marine systems through exceptional graduate and undergraduate degree programs.
Prospective Students
William & Mary's Batten School & VIMS are among the nation's largest and most prestigious centers for coastal and marine research and education. We are committed to developing undergraduate and graduate students who have the academic and professional skills necessary to meet the present and future needs of science and society.
We have a track record of 75+ years of exceptional graduate education. Our new undergraduate major in coastal and marine sciences stands alone as the only program in the country where all students receive full tuition support through The R. Todd Stravitz Scholars Program.
Fast Facts about the Batten School
1,000+
Graduate Degrees Granted
75+
Years of Graduate Education
56
Outstanding Faculty
120+
Undergraduate Minors in Marine Science since 2014
In the Spotlight
Bayleigh Albert '26
M.A. in Coastal & Marine Sciences
At the Batten School & VIMS, Albert found a supportive community — including a quartet of inspiring female mentors — as well as travel opportunities and the chance to hone her passion for science communication. Today, she is a digital storyteller for Virginia Sea Grant.
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Kersey Sturdivant ’11
Ph.D. in Coastal & Marine Sciences
When Kersey Sturdivant arrived at the Batten School & VIMS, he was already certain of one thing: it was going to be about worms. While studying how hypoxia affected infauna, he invented the Wormcam, which launched a career in environmental consulting.
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Jill Bieri '92
M.S. in Coastal & Marine Sciences
After studying seagrass restoration in grad school, Bieri began a career in education and conservation nonprofits. Today, she's director of The Nature Conservancy’s Volgenau Virginia Coast Reserve, where she continues to collaborate with the Batten School & VIMS.
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Peter Raymond '99
Ph.D. in Coastal & Marine Sciences
Raymond first arrived at the Batten School & VIMS in an old Volkswagen van, bringing with him only a loyal dog named Bean and an interest in carbon cycling. Today, he teaches at Yale while continuing the work on carbon budgets that he first began in graduate school.
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Tami Lunsford ’02
M.S. in Coastal & Marine Sciences
Tami Lunsford M.S. ’02 uses lessons learned at the Batten School & VIMS to instruct students in the classroom — and in the tropics. Approximately every other year, she leads an international field research trip, most often to Bermuda.
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John Field ’91
M.S. in Coastal & Marine Sciences
Before college, Field was advised to attend a university near a marine science lab. He chose William & Mary, a university with its own marine science lab: the Batten School & VIMS. That led to a career in international fisheries, from NOAA to the State Department and finally the Pacific Salmon Commission.
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Carole Baldwin ’92
Ph.D. in Coastal & Marine Sciences
The diversity of expertise at the Batten School & VIMS prepared Baldwin for a lifelong career at the Smithsonian, where she now leads the Deep Reef Observation Project, a long-running effort using submersibles to study unexplored ecosystems.
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Sasha Tozzi '10
Ph.D. in Coastal & Marine Sciences
Tozzi leveraged research logistics experiences gained at the Batten School & VIMS while studying phytoplankton in the Ross Sea to launch a career in project management and operational administration in the biotech industry.
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Shantelle Landry ’21
M.S. in Coastal & Marine Sciences
At W&M's Batten School & VIMS, Landry discovered opportunities to hone her science communication skills, which led to her current role as a senior science educator at The Mariners' Museum and Park where she oversees 6th and 9th grade programs.
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Daniel Scoles ’94
Ph.D. in Coastal & Marine Sciences
From studying the genetics of mackerels, which revealed patterns reflecting historic global warming, to developing new therapeutics for ALS and Alzheimer’s disease, Scoles’ professional journey reflects the versatility of a Batten School & VIMS education.
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Contact Us
Office for Academic Affairs
Contact Us
- Email: [[v|academicaffairs,Office for Academic Affairs]]
- Email: [[v|registrar,Registrar]]
- Phone - Main Office: 804-684-7105
- Phone - Registrar: 804-684-7106