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Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences

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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.

Undergraduate

Graduate

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

Richard Holmquist '01

M.S. in Marine Science
Part-time fieldwork led to a graduate degree and ultimately launched a career in satellite remote sensing, maritime surveillance and geographic intelligence, culminating in Holmquist’s current role as Hawkeye 360's director of sales for the Americas.
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Shantelle Landry ’21

M.S. in Marine Science
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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David Niebuhr '99

Ph.D. in Marine Science
Niebuhr’s entrepreneurial spirit and love for marine biology motivated a lifelong commitment to educational programming. Today, as COO at the Virginia Living Museum, Niebuhr continues to lean on lessons learned while earning his M.S. and Ph.D.
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Adele Pile '96

Ph.D. in Marine Science
As a former firefighter, Pile found W&M's Batten School & VIMS to be a perfect match for her trailblazing spirit. She conducted groundbreaking research and became a renowned marine scientist before starting a royally recognized ecotourism business.
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William Shoup '23

M.A. in Marine Science
Shoup sees a clear connection from his Batten School & VIMS experiences to his current work in renewable energy, where he liaisons between an energy company and the communities in which they build solar and wind projects.
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Pamela Braff '20

Ph.D. in Marine Science
Braff uses her Batten School & VIMS education to direct climate programs for the City of Olympia. "Local work and local government have never been more important than they are today," she said. "I would love to see more graduates going into this space."
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Daniel Royster '25

M.A. in Marine Science
Volunteering turned into part-time work, which turned into a full-time job and then enrollment in graduate school to study American Shad in the James River. After graduation, Royster accepted a position with the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality.
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Amy Nicholson '24

M.A. in Marine Science
Nicholson uses a theater background to bring science lessons to life at the Virginia Living Museum following graduation from W&M's Batten School & VIMS. “It’s so much fun,” she said, “and what I learned at VIMS was so useful for teaching at the Living Museum."
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Thomas Ihde '06

Ph.D. in Marine Science
As a research assistant professor at Morgan State University’s Patuxent Environmental and Aquatic Research Laboratory (PEARL), Ihde specializes in Chesapeake Bay research, a field in which he developed expertise while earning his doctorate at W&M's Batten School & VIMS.
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Evan Flynn '25

Ph.D. in Marine Science
Flynn's doctoral research uncovered surprising insights into carbon storage in dynamic river delta systems. Her work, which spans the Ayeyarwady and Amazon deltas, has helped refine global carbon budget estimates and informed strategies for managing sediment.
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Post Office Box 1346 1370 Greate Road (shipping) Gloucester Point, VA 23062

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