Program Structure

Maryland Sea Grant's advisory structure provides guidance and oversight consistent with the shared governance principles of the University System of Maryland in a manner that enhances the program's ability to perform marine research, outreach, and educational activities.

The advisory structure strengthens essential linkages, maintains clear programmatic identity at state, region, and national levels, and maximizes the effectiveness of the Maryland Sea Grant College. It provides a clear mechanism for diverse stakeholders from state and federal agencies, industry, and other important groups to provide input to Maryland Sea Grant. At the same time it allows academic and research institutions throughout the state to contribute their expertise as well.

The advisory and oversight structure for Maryland Sea Grant is comprised of the following entities:

• Governance Board
• Responsible Institution
• Institutional Council
• Advisory Board
• Academic Advisory Committee

Governance Board

The Governance Board consists of the Chancellor of the University System of Maryland (USM) and the Presidents of the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP) and the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES), or their senior designees. The three members of the Governance Board represent the broad interests of the University System of Maryland and higher education in the State, the responsible institution (UMCES) bearing statutory responsibilities for coordination of marine resources programs, and the institution (UMCP) accommodating Sea Grant offices and managing University of Maryland Extension, the primary deliverer of Sea Grant extension activities. The Governance Board provides practical governance of the program to facilitate and strengthen the partnership between the university, the state, and the National Sea Grant program that forms the foundation of Maryland Sea Grant.

Responsible Institution Since 1999, the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science has been the institution responsible for the routine management of the Maryland Sea Grant College, including financial and personnel management and ongoing supervision of the Sea Grant Director. UMCES is the USM institution with the primary mission of research, education and public service related to the environment and nonagricultural natural resources. It has a statutory mandate to "assist the development and coordination of single or multidisciplinary programs and projects on the environment at public and private educational research institutes" and serves as the liaison for the USM with state agencies responsible for marine resource management and environmental protection.

Dr. William E. Kirwan, University System of Maryland Dr. Donald F. Boesch, Univ. of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Dr. William Mote, Univ. of Maryland, College Park Pending, Johns Hopkins University Dr. Thelma Thompson, Univ. of Maryland, Eastern Shore Dr. Anson Hines, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center Dr. Cheng-I Wei, Univ. of Maryland, College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Dr. Kelton Clark, Morgan State Univ. Dr. Fredrika Moser, Maryland Sea Grant College Institutional Council The Institutional Council (IC) is a representative body of the institutions that perform Sea Grant research, education, and outreach activities. It has both an implementation and advisory function. While the Governance Board and the President of UMCES retain final oversight authority, the IC also plays an important role with regard to accountability and the development of programmatic guidance. The IC reports its findings and advice to the Governance Board.

Mr. William Matuszeski, U.S. EPA Chesapeake Bay Program (retired) Ms. Ann Swanson, Chesapeake Bay Commission Mr. Mark Bryer, The Nature Conservancy Dr. Beth McGee, Chesapeake Bay Foundation Mr. Dave WIlson, Maryland Coastal Bays Program Mr. Ed Rhodes, Phillips Seafood Inc. Dr. Russ Brinsfield, Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology, Inc., Mayor Vienna MD Mr. David Pittenger, Executive Director, National Aquarium in Baltimore Dr. Thomas Miller, UMCES Chesapeake Biological Laboratory; Academic Advisory Board Liaison Advisory Board The Maryland Sea Grant Advisory Board provides primary (high-level) linkage to important external clients in Maryland. The Board's composition reflects diverse stakeholders representing key government agencies at the state and federal level, important marine-related industries, and educational and nongovernmental organizations. The Advisory Board also includes "independent advisors" with specific expertise and standing within the community.

Dr. William Boicourt, UMCES Horn Point Laboratory Dr. Patricia Delgado, Maryland Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Mr. Matt Flemming, Director, Maryland Coastal Program (NOAA CZM) Dr. Andrea Johnson, Univ. of Maryland, Eastern Shore Dr. Beth McGee, Chesapeake Bay Foundation Dr. Tom Miller, UMCES Chesapeake Biological Laboratory Dr. Allen Place, UMCES Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology Dr. Chris Swarth, Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary Dr. Peter Tango, U.S. EPA Chesapeake Bay Program Dr. E. Eugene Williams, Department of Biological Sciences, Salisbury University Academic Advisory Committee The Academic Advisory Committee (AAC) serves as the primary advisor to the research portion of the Maryland Sea Grant Program. AAC members evaluate the scientific merit and programmatic fit of preproposals submitted for funding during the Maryland Sea Grant omnibus proposal cycle. The essential characteristic of the AAC is its ability to render definitive judgements of a scientific nature. Members of the AAC are selected based upon their scientific credentials and areas of expertise. The chair of the Academic Advisory Committee occupies a seat on the Advisory Board. Members of the AAC may be, but are not required to be, affiliated with member institutions of the Institutional Council. Together, the Governance Board, the Institutional Council, the Advisory Board, and the Academic Advisory Committee assure valuable guidance to the Maryland Sea Grant College from institutional leaders, important stakeholders, and expert scientists and scholars. This structure insures a responsive, highly efficient, inclusive program that will continue to catalyze relevant research, outreach, and education important to Maryland's coastal resources.