Our founding legislation recognizes the importance of growing capacity at the science-policy interface and includes a mandate to support graduate education in management-relevant ocean sciences. To act on this part of our mission, we support, advocate for, and provide inclusive graduate education opportunities that strengthen the links between ocean science, educational institutions, and decision-making.

Supporting California’s future science-policy leadership demands a focus on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access (DEIA) in the ocean sciences community. We are deeply committed to supporting pathways to advance these values in science leadership in academia and beyond. Our unique position transcending any one campus and including our close connection with state government, enable us to foster collaborative and innovative action toward a future vision in which our ocean science community is inclusive and reflective of the diversity of California.

To date, OST has hosted 13 interns and 6 graduate fellows in partnership with the following organizations, universities, and programs:

• California State University Council on Ocean Affairs, Science and Technology
• California Sea Grant State Fellowship
• San Francisco State University Research Intensive Pedagogical Training of InterDisciplinary Estuarine Scientists (RIPTIDES) program​​
• University of California Sacramento Center Presidential Graduate Opportunities for Leadership Development (GOLD) Fellowship
• Oregon State University 
• University of California Santa Cruz Coastal Science and Policy Program

In this role, we are committed to:

1. Strengthening and expanding our partnerships with university departments, programs and initiatives
2. Supporting the science-policy workforce through expanded internship opportunities and training
3. Serving as a mentorship hub or network convenor between students, faculty and workforce development professionals