• Across the nation only 7 out of 10 public school students will attend a 4-year university.
  • At our students' high school, less than 3 out of 10 will attend a 4-year university.
  • Ocean Leaders attend 4-year universities at a rate of 8 out of 10.

Discover Ocean Leaders
Ocean Leaders is a series of interconnected after-school and summer programs and support services for middle school, high school and college age youth. This initiative offers a pathway for underrepresented students to progress from secondary school through university to science and conservation careers.

Evaluations of Ocean Leaders and student tracking data demonstrate that participants significantly improve their understanding of science and environmental principles. Our participants see increased scores on objective tests of science and environmental awareness by an average of 40%. Participants are also more likely to attend college (100% of graduates enroll in further education, with 80% attending four-year universities, as compared with less than 27% of students at their same high school), and more frequently declare majors in science and conservation (71% of Ocean Leaders who have declared a major have done so in the sciences as compared with 26% of students of color nationally).
Programs
(Engaging Our Ocean Leaders)

A Closer Look at Ocean Leaders

Meet Ulisses >
Ulisses represents almost 100 other students who are on the path to college, career and leadership through their participation in Ocean Discovery Institute read entire story >

Ocean Leader Biographies >
COMING SOON
Meet The Leaders Of Tomorrow



Ulisses' Story - Becoming Tomorrow's Scientific and Environmental Leader

Ulisses explores university options

Became an Ocean Discovery Institute Student: 2002

Building Knowledge of Science: Ulisses became an Ocean Leader in fifth grade. He immediately demonstrated a passion for science and incredible potential, but was not an academic achiever. Through continued ocean science opportunities during middle and high school, Ulisses developed a deep interest in becoming an engineer.

Academic Transformation: Through support services provided by Ocean Discovery Institute, Ulisses was able to translate his interest in science into success in the classroom, increasing his GPA from a 2.3 to a 3.8.

Becoming a Mentor: Ulisses realized the importance of this transformation process and became determined to help others receive this opportunity. He has been a participant in every Ocean Leader program and has returned to each as a mentor for younger students.

Education Success: Ulisses is now a student at UCLA pursuing a degree in engineering.

Ulisses' Dream for the Future: To use his engineering expertise to become a leader in the fields of science and conservation.

Ulisses represents almost 100 other students who are on the path to college, career and leadership through their participation in Ocean Discovery Institute.

"Being an Ocean Leader helped me to choose my college, find out how I could afford college, and select what I want to major in - engineering!" - Ulisses Barraza, Sophomore at UC Los Angeles