On February 10, 2026, Stephanie Gandulla, Sophie Stuart, and Andrea (Andi) Yoxsimer returned — virtually — to their alma mater of Eastern Carolina University (ECU) to speak with students in a Cultural Resource Management class. The program prepares future leaders in underwater archaeology and heritage management, and admits a limited number of students per year.
For these three alumni, the visit was more than a guest lecture. It was a moment of reflection, mentorship, and inspiration.
Life After ECU: Protecting America’s Underwater Heritage
Now serving as maritime archaeologists at Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the trio shared what careers in the National Marine Sanctuary System can look like in practice. Pulling from their own experiences and sharing work examples such as:
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Mapping historic shipwrecks using advanced sonar technologies
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Conducting research dives and documenting submerged cultural resources
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Developing management strategies to protect vulnerable sites
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Building educational programs to connect communities with maritime history
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Sharing research with the public to foster stewardship
“It was interesting to be on this side of the table,” Yoxsimer said. “I remember talking to NOAA researchers when I was in grad school and thinking it would be a really interesting place to work. I never thought I would be able to work for a marine sanctuary myself!”
That full-circle journey — from curious graduate student to NOAA maritime archaeologist — resonated strongly with the class.
Introducing NOAA Career Pathways
Beyond research and project updates, the presentation offered practical career guidance as well. Stephanie, Sophie, and Andi discussed career pathways within NOAA and the National Marine Sanctuary System. They also shared skill-building strategies, internship opportunities, and even brainstormed potential thesis topics. For students preparing to enter a competitive job market, these insights were invaluable. The class confirmed this with great questions and reaching out afterwards, with one student specifically thanking them for spending time covering how multibeam sonar is being used in shipwreck mapping and underwater documentation.
“He said he was really interested in learning more about the technology because he is hoping to work for National Parks after grad school. I told him to feel free to reach out anytime with further questions about the technology,” Yoxsimer said.
Moments like these underscore the power of mentorship and making connections like this accessible to aspiring professionals.
A Full-Circle Moment
Several members of the Thunder Bay team earned their master’s degrees in Maritime Studies from ECU. Seeing alumni return as leaders in the field demonstrates the strength of the program and the possibilities awaiting its graduates.
From mapping shipwrecks in the cold waters of the Great Lakes to advising graduate students hundreds of miles away, these archaeologists embody the mission of both institutions: protecting maritime heritage while cultivating the next generation of stewards. Their visit wasn’t just a lecture. It was a bridge between classroom and career, theory and practice, aspiration and achievement. And for all students, it offered a powerful reminder:
The conversations you have today may shape the career of tomorrow.
Eastern Carolina University students virtually tune in to a presentation from Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
