Maria Madrigal begins as USC Sea Grant’s New Educator

Released October 28, 2020
Media Contact: Leah Shore / lshore@usc.edu / (213)-740-1960

Los Angeles, CA – The University of Southern California Sea Grant Program is excited to announce that Maria Madrigal has joined the program as a new Education Program Specialist. Ms. Madrigal brings over 20 years’ experience working in the education field across Southern California. Recently, Madrigal was the Program Manager for the USC Viterbi School of Engineering K-12 STEM Center where she oversaw three programs and swiftly identified successful virtual learning strategies for teachers at the onset of COVID-19. Prior to USC, she was Director of the SEA Lab in Redondo Beach, leading and managing education programs for both field-based and in-school presentations.

Ms. Madrigal will be working alongside USC Sea Grant’s Education Programs Manager, Linda Chilton, to help identify needs and resources to support coastal based education programs, especially for field-based educators that are transitioning from in-person learning to virtual platforms and distance learning. Her role will include connecting with students, teachers, and families in formal education systems and after-school programming, and facilitating the collaboration of diverse network partners in order to identify common programmatic needs and adaptation strategies, all while ensuring equity and access for all students and educators.

“I’m excited to join USC Sea Grant not only because I have the opportunity to work with a great mentor but also because I have the opportunity to be of service to others,” expressed Madrigal. “I’ve always believed that the best way to show gratitude for the experiences afforded to me is to provide similar opportunities for growth to others. I hope I can help organizations, communities, and individuals connect to our Urban Ocean through various education efforts and contribute to having an active and diverse population involved in making informed decisions about our coastal environment.”

Maria has an extensive background in STEM education in marine and conservation-related topics, especially with a focus on engaging youth with diverse backgrounds and limited opportunities. During these challenging times, her passion lies in creating innovative virtual learning opportunities in efforts to keep organizations connected to the communities they serve. Linda Chilton notes that “the addition of Maria will allow us to extend educational opportunities to serve our communities as she provides her expertise and passion for education, equity, and inclusion.”

About USC Sea Grant

USC Sea Grant’s mission is to contribute to solving the problems of the Urban Ocean while recognizing the opportunities for coastal commerce, recreation, and improving the quality of life in coastal regions such as Southern California. Our program is based at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA. We are one of 34 programs within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Sea Grant Program.