The University of Guam Office of Graduate Studies, Research and Sponsored programs recently presented the Presidential Thesis Award to graduate students Matthew McLean and Alyssa Romine.

Romine, who received a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology, explored the experiences of local people serving time in federal prisons on the U.S. mainland and the stigmas associated with returning home as a felon. Her thesis is titled “All that stuff that happened that’s not who I am:” lived experience of stigma among former federal prisoners in Guam with a history of substance use.

“There are no federal prisons in Guam,” Romine said. “So these people are sent far away to serve their sentences. My project examined what their lives are like when they return to Guam and their communities. Do they feel marginalized? What are their experiences like?”

McLean, who received a Master of Science in biology, compared historical data from the mid-1980s and the last few years to better understand coral reef changes in Kosrae. His thesis is titled, "Linking Patterns and Processes with Shifting Baselines on Coral Reef."

“For me, most modern coral reef conservation science is really focused on resilience, and the ability to recover after any problem or disturbances” McLean said. “My project examines resilience in a small, remote, pristine island in Micronesia and looking at what impacts have reduced or maintained resilience overtime. Then we can work with local partners to propose regulations and strategies for fisheries management that lead to coral reef conservation.”

As recipients of the Presidential Thesis Award, McLean and Romine received a plaque and a financial award of $1,000 each. Both Romine and McLean felt honored, and noted the uniqueness of their projects was attributed to the region they were studying.

About the Presidential Thesis Award
UOG Graduate Students are selected at the end of the academic year after each graduate degree program submits its nominee for the award. A committee appointed by the graduate council then deliberates and chooses winners.