About Us

The National Sea Grant College Program, administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is a federal/state partnership that matches NOAA Sea Grant expertise and resources with state academic institutions. The Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium (MASGC), created in 1972, is one of 32 Sea Grant programs. Consortium members include Auburn University, Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Jackson State University, Mississippi State University, The University of Alabama, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, The University of Mississippi, The University of Southern Mississippi and the University of South Alabama.

The mission of MASGC is to enhance the sustainable use and conservation of ocean and coastal resources to benefit the economy and environment in Alabama and Mississippi. To fulfill this mission, MASGC commits to interdisciplinary environmental scholarship and community-based natural-resource management. The tools available in support of the MASGC mission are applied interdisciplinary research, communications, education, extension and legal services using both targeted and cross-cutting approaches. These tools are utilized at local, state, regional, national and international arenas.

The bi-state resources include nearly 3,200 square miles of inland water and 966 miles of estuarine shoreline, and support more than 7 million residents. MASGC operates through its 2009-2013 Strategic Plan with guidance from a Board of Directors and Advisory Council.

MASGC Staff Contact Information
This link provides titles and contact information for all members of the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium staff.

Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is made up of one representative from each of the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium member universities. Board members do not serve terms. They are appointed for the duration of their association with the organization. The Board of Directors meets on an annual basis to discuss program and budget issues.

Management Team
Sea Grant, despite its non-profit status, is an organization and requires practical and concise management. This is where the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium Management Team comes in. Members participate in discussions and decisions regarding the interaction, integration and planning of program operations.

Sea Grant Advisory Council
Working within the national priorities identified by the National Sea Grant College Program, the Sea Grant Advisory Council helps further define priority coastal issues relevant to Mississippi and Alabama and helps ensure that research and outreach programs address the needs and priorities of Mississippi and Alabama ocean and coastal communities, businesses and policymakers.

Technical Review Panel
The work of the Technical Review Panel is to evaluate each proposal, the mail reviews and the applicants' rebuttals to provide a summary of the scientific merit and prospects for success. The panel's role is instrumental in determining which proposals are funded.