press release
New Orleans – Distinguished Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Xavier University of Louisiana and global ocean exploration nonprofit OceanX announced a historic partnership to offer Xavier students an in-depth educational experience with ocean exploration and marine science and operations. The partnership underlines OceanX’s efforts to increase diversity in STEM education and serves to bridge existing gaps in the marine sciences by equipping Xavier students and faculty with resources and opportunities across four core areas: OceanX’s Young Explorers program, employment opportunities, research and curriculum development, and partnership building.
“Xavier University of Louisiana is constantly evolving to offer our students the most innovative and rewarding experiences; this partnership with Ocean X is a wonderful opportunity for students to understand our terrestrial environment and how our species affects land, sea, and air for better and worse,” said Dr. Reynold Verret, President of Xavier University of Louisiana. “As graduates, these students will be agents for a sustainable world and embodiments of the vision shared by OceanX and Xavier to promote diversity and a greater exchange of ideas in the STEM fields.”
Among the many opportunities provided through this partnership, at least one student and one faculty member from Xavier University will participate in OceanX’s flagship Young Explorers program. The program offers students an educational journey aboard OceanXplorer, the one-of-a-kind scientific research, media production, and exploration vessel leveraged by OceanX to explore the ocean and bring it back to the world. Program participants learn about the convergence of captivating media and ocean exploration, research, and operations. The OceanX-Xavier partnership will extend beyond academia, creating employment opportunities at OceanX for Xavier students, along with an ongoing exploration of other opportunities to partner professionally.
“Our team is thrilled to finalize the partnership between OceanX and Xavier University of Louisiana, one of America’s foremost HBCUs,” said Vincent Pieribone, co-CEO and chief science officer of OceanX. “OceanX’s collaboration with Xavier is a milestone in our mission to nurture the next generation of pioneering marine explorers. We look forward to our partnership with the university, Xavier students, and faculty as we work to make STEM learning more accessible to all students.”
Faculty members at Xavier University will have opportunities to participate in the partnership, with curriculum development being a key component of the planned work. Live classroom opportunities will be incorporated into biology courses, and the professors joining the Young Explorers mission will be able to work with other scientists onboard to help guide the program curriculum. Extending into OceanX’s esteemed partner network, students and faculty at Xavier will be able to engage and work with leaders from organizations such as Black in Marine Science, Coral Vita, Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute, NOAA, and others.
The OceanX-Xavier partnership builds on OceanX’s educational work with HBCUs and organizations furthering diversity in STEM. In the last year, the organization partnered with renowned HBCUs Spelman College and Howard University, Black in Marine Science, and the Ocean Discovery League to create more opportunities for diverse students to access ocean exploration and marine science.For more information about OceanX’s Young Explorers program, visit the OceanX website.
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For media inquiries regarding OceanX, please contact Adriana Torres Plaza at adriana@thetascgroup.com.
For media inquiries about Xavier University of Louisiana, please contact Melissa Newell at XULAnews@xula.edu.
About OceanX
OceanX is a mission to support scientists to explore the ocean and to bring it back to the world through captivating media. Uniting leading media, science, and philanthropy partners, OceanX utilizes next-gen technology, fearless science, compelling storytelling, and immersive experiences to educate, inspire, and connect the world with the ocean and build a global community deeply engaged with understanding, enjoying, and protecting our oceans. OceanX is an initiative of Dalio Philanthropies, which furthers the diverse philanthropic interests of Dalio family members. For more information, visit www.oceanx.org and follow OceanX on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and LinkedIn.
About Xavier University of Louisiana
Xavier University of Louisiana, America’s only historically Black and Catholic University, is ranked among the top three HBCUs (historically Black colleges and universities) in the nation. Recognized as a national leader in STEM and health sciences, Xavier produces more African American students who graduate from medical schools each year than any other university in the United States. Additionally, Xavier’s College of Pharmacy is also among the top producers of African American pharmacists in the country.
Established in 1925 by Saint Katharine Drexel and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament as a place for African Americans and Native Americans to receive quality education, Xavier has since expanded its programs in art, business, education, biological sciences, chemistry, pharmacy and political science. More recent additions in robotics, bioinformatics, engineering, data science, neuroscience and genetics, in addition to new STEM-basedmaster’s programs, have provided Xavier students (3,419 students) an unbeatable combination of traditional classroom study, hands-on research, service-learning opportunities and life experiences. Xavier students collaborate with world-renowned faculty, who are experts in their fields, to produce award-winning research and notable work. The winning Xavier formula provides students with a well-balanced curriculum and an environment that nurtures their intellect and feeds their souls, thereby facilitating a more just and humane society for all. For more information about Xavier University of Louisiana, visit us online at www.XULA.edu or contact Melissa Newell at (504) 520-5240 or XULANews@XULA.edu
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