Welcome to UF Gulf Scholars
UF Gulf Scholars brings students, faculty, and community partners together to take on the Gulf’s biggest challenges and prepare students to lead with purpose in the places they call home.
Earn the UF Gulf Scholars Medallion
Complete a Gulf-focused coursework, experiential learning opportunities, and a Gulf Impact Project, and graduate well-prepared to tackle some of the Gulf’s most pressing challenges, whether in graduate school or the workforce.
Undergraduate students from any major are welcome to participate. Students can engage at various levels—by taking individual courses, attending events, or pursuing the UF Gulf Scholars Medallion. The medallion program accommodates diverse academic interests and career goals tied to the Gulf, making it an excellent way to focus your studies on regional challenges.
We offer five specialized pathways, or Gulf Streams, focused on:
- Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability
- Cultural Heritage, History, and Storytelling
- Resilient Built Environments and Economies
- Policy and Advocacy
- Public Health
To meet all requirements for the medallion, we recommend that students enroll with at least four semesters left at UF. However, we are willing to work with those who are closer to graduation.
Enrollment is open! Once enrolled, you’ll attend an on-campus orientation to learn more about specific program requirements and the process to register for classes.
The UF Gulf Scholars Medallion program includes:
- 15 credits of Gulf-focused coursework
- An experiential learning opportunity
- Completion of a Gulf Impact Project
- Participation in group meetings and public programs
These components are designed to accommodate diverse academic interests and career goals related to the Gulf. To meet all requirements, we recommend students enroll with at least four semesters remaining at UF. However, we will work with students who are closer to graduation.
Upon completing the program, students will receive a medallion to wear at graduation, along with hands-on experience to strengthen their resume.
By joining the UF Gulf Scholars program, you will have the opportunity to integrate your lived experiences and community connections into your undergraduate education. As a participant, you will:
- Take Gulf-focused courses
- Participate in internships, research projects, field excursions, and more
- Network with professionals and peers from diverse academic backgrounds
- Collaborate with faculty mentors and community partners on Gulf Impact Projects
By completing the UF Gulf Scholars Medallion, students will:
- Gain hands-on experience addressing environmental, economic, social, health, and cultural challenges facing Gulf communities.
- Apply their unique skill sets to tackle Gulf challenges.
- Receive individualized support throughout their Gulf Scholars journey.
- Join a community of professionals and peers from various academic fields.
- Build skills in civic engagement, public service, and leadership.
- Work with faculty and community partners on impactful Gulf-related projects.
Faculty and staff can participate by:
- Teaching a course related to the Gulf
- Hosting experiential learning opportunities, such as research or service projects
- Serving as faculty mentors on Gulf Impact Projects
Faculty and staff can also stay informed about program opportunities by filling out this form(opens in new tab). If you would like to discuss a specific collaboration idea, please contact Rebecca Burton, UF Gulf Scholars coordinator, at rlburton@ufl.edu.
