Degree program: M.A.M.A.

Year accepted: 2023

Advisor: Jesse Reiblich

Research: Coastal access in South County

Background: B.A. in Environmental Science and Political Science from the University of Connecticut

Annie Longo (she/her) is a second-semester Master of Arts in Marine Affairs (MAMA) student from Mystic, Connecticut. While completing a BA in Environmental Studies and Political Science from the University of Connecticut (UConn), she wrote her senior thesis on the governance of global ocean pollution, with a focus on the great Pacific Ocean patch. After graduation, she lived in Charleston, South Carolina for two years working as dockhand. Annie has also coached sailing for 11 years and has been sailing since she was six. She credits sailing and her inability to “get away from the ocean” as part of her inspiration for attending URI.

Annie came to the University of Rhode Island at the urging of a coworker, who, at the time, was also pursing her MAMA, and the desire to further her education to open future opportunities in the field. Annie attended an info session where her coworker talked about her experience with the degree, and she was sold. As far as other graduate schools go, none of them were even remotely considered. If she was not going to URI for grad school, she was not going at all. Annie is currently researching coastal access issues in Rhode Island, specifically the fire district beach access restriction in South County. She is passionate about coastal access in this region because she grew up with these beaches and wants to make sure others can share in them as well. While Annie does not know exactly what she wants to do after graduation, she sees herself most likely ending up in the non-profit world and living on the water. She wants to help make the world a little better and a little more habitable for the future generations.