About

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC) was selected in 2022 to participate in the Gulf Scholars Program (GSP) offered by the Gulf Research Program (GRP) division of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 

The focus of the GSP is to invite collaborations with undergraduate students across a wide range of disciplines including the sciences, engineering, medicine, humanities, arts, and beyond to develop key competencies and mindsets necessary to address critical Gulf challenges. As the next generation to address critical challenges in the Gulf region, the program will engage participants in topics such as:  

  • Community health and resilience, 
  • Environmental protection and stewardship, and 
  • Offshore energy safety. 

The Gulf Scholars Program at TAMU-CC (GSP@TAMU-CC) is a 6-credit hour certificate program comprised of two 3-credit classes.  The first class, offered during fall semesters, is focused on general Gulf knowledge from a wide array of perspectives, as well as planning and preparation for a capstone project.  The second class, offered during spring semesters, is a capstone project experience called the Gulf Impact Project, a research/creative project with strong community links.

GSP@TAMU-CC faculty are committed to helping build capacity, knowledge, and connections among our students both on campus and together with local community partners in ways that harness student talents, skills, and interest in the region. Students who participate in the program are supported to serve as leaders that understand the complex balance needed to guide us towards a sustainable, resilient, and prosperous future in South Texas and the greater Gulf region. 

The first, second, and third cohorts of the GSP@TAMU-CC began in Fall 2023, 2024, and 2025, respectively. We are currently enrolling the fourth cohort to start in Fall 2026 (via the 3-credit "GULF-3301.001 Gulf Studies" class, which is also cross-listed as "ESCI-4490.001").

The program offers financial support each year in the form of scholarships to help defray the cost of tuition and fees related to the program. Students must submit an application to be considered for the program and one of the scholarships.  The program also provides funds as available for all students to undertake and complete the Gulf Impact Project capstone effort.

The GSP@TAMU-CC faculty team in Fall 2026 includes:

Former faculty team members, who were fundamental in helping to develop, shape, and deliver earlier iterations of the program, include: