Mon, 04/21/2025 – 01:04pm | By: Gabriela Shinskie
The University of Southern Mississippi’s (USM) School of Ocean Science and Engineering (SOSE) had a busy spring semester, with seven students receiving Southeast Chapter Scholarships from the Hydrographic Society of America and a strong presence at the U.S. Hydro Conference in Wilmington, N.C. Students networked with leading industry professionals and explored innovative ideas contributing to the future of hydrography and the growing Blue Economy.
The Southeast Chapter Scholarships were awarded to four graduate hydrography students, one undergraduate, and two graduate marine science students. Southern Miss is home to one of only three graduate hydrography programs in North America, with a 100 percent job placement rate expected upon graduation.
Dr. Robert Leaf, SOSE director, emphasized the significance of the program’s impact.
“The Hydrography Program at Southern Miss exemplifies our faculty and leadership’s mission to provide students with an outstanding education with a focus on experiential learning that leads to outstanding career opportunities. Our students’ achievements, industry engagement and near-100 percent job placement reflect the program’s excellence and the dedication of our faculty,” said Leaf.
The scholarship recognizes top full-time students interested in pursuing careers in hydrography and helps offset tuition costs. Kaleb Favaloro, a marine science undergraduate student, shared what the recognition meant to him.
“Receiving the scholarship was super fulfilling for a multitude of reasons. The first reason is that I applied for it my freshman year and did not get it. I hadn’t had enough experience in the field or with the process of hydrography yet. To know that my persistence was rewarded felt great,” said Favaloro.
SOSE marine science professor Calvin Martin encourages students to find ways to build their academic experiences through innovative technology and connecting with top-industry leaders. His encouragement–along with support from SOSE interim hydrography program coordinator Anand Hiroji–resulted in a large Southern Miss presence at the U.S. Hydro Conference, where 16 students were able to experience the world of hydrography with like-minded individuals.
“The Southern Miss Hydrography program plays a pivotal role in advancing the field of hydrography, and its presence at the U.S. Hydrographic Conference is essential for both faculty and students,” said Martin. For students, the conference offers direct access to industry professionals, career opportunities and the latest technological advancements, helping to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world applications. By participating in the conference, Southern Miss Hydrography not only strengthens its reputation but also ensures that its faculty and students remain at the forefront of this critical and rapidly evolving field.”
Many exhibitors, including Southern Miss, filled the Wilmington Convention Center sharing ideas, networking and seeking future work in the field. Favaloro attended the conference along with Shakiya Ingram, a SOSE hydrography senior who was interested in the program. Ingram took a leap of faith and found a passion for surveying and the ocean. She described her time at the conference as memorable and helpful in guiding her future and enjoyed different breakout sessions including a demo day where different companies brought equipment and described mission planning and problem-solving capabilities. Ingram took advantage of the extensive networking opportunities with top global hydrographic companies.
“The conference allowed me to put myself out there to talk to all the different companies. Also, seeing other students from other universities made me realize this is a competitive field. It’s important for students to attend these conferences because many companies were hiring and giving out information on scholarships and internships,” said Ingram.
She feels the program is preparing her for her future and giving her the confidence to chase her passion. Her classes have given her experience in mission planning, data analysis and technological advancements. Ingram plans to graduate in December 2025.
Click here to view the Southeast Chapter Scholarship winners along with exploring the Southern Miss Hydrography Program.
Categories: Research
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