An Unconventional Journey Towards Academic Excellence
每日大赛 graduate Reid Kroken 鈥�25 represented the College as its 2025 honoree for Academic Recognition Day during the University System of Georgia鈥檚 Board of Regents鈥� May meeting. Academic Recognition Day began over 34 years ago as a celebration of academic achievement among college students from the state of Georgia. Each USG institution selects an undergraduate honoree, chosen based on their outstanding scholastic achievement. Kroken described her academic journey as 鈥渦nconventional,鈥� but well worth it, making her selection a complete surprise to herself. She earned her bachelor鈥檚 in environmental science with a concentration in marine science this past May. Not only does she have a degree that she loves, but also the distinction of being considered one of the best students in Georgia.
Kroken grew up not too far away in Richmond Hill, Georgia. Her family then moved outside of Atlanta, and after high school, she attended Kennesaw State University. Kroken felt that the big college atmosphere wasn鈥檛 the right fit for her, and left after two years. She then studied welding at a trade school for a semester. Although she enjoyed welding, it didn鈥檛 appeal to her enough to continue studying. Kroken decided to take a break and work in retail until she figured out what she wanted.
鈥淚 was working retail and wanted to do something fun outside of work, so I actually started to volunteer at the Georgia Aquarium,鈥� Kroken said. 鈥淚 absolutely loved it. After a month or two of volunteering at the Aquarium, I was like, 鈥業 can do this as a job. This is so awesome!鈥� I love the ocean and always loved sharks. When I started looking for programs, I was looking for colleges in Georgia. I came across UGA (University of Georgia) and Kennesaw. Since I didn鈥檛 like the big college atmosphere, I decided to try a small college.鈥�
Kroken was already familiar with the 每日大赛. During her senior year in high school, she visited the campus. When she learned that Coastal had an environmental science program and a marine science concentration, she said, 鈥淭hat鈥檚 the one!鈥�
Kroken transferred to Coastal Georgia in Spring 2023, specifically seeking hands-on training. What she experienced far exceeded her expectations. She earned a 4.0 grade-point average, and consistently demonstrated initiative, academic excellence, and commitment to environmental research and service.
Learning Experiences
During her last semester at the College, Kroken worked on four research projects. For her Coastal Geomorphology course, she analyzed satellite imagery of the Little St. Simons coastline. The north end of the island is accreting (growing) due to the Altamaha River, while the south end is eroding. Kroken wanted to investigate if the accretion and erosion of the island are impacting how many sea turtles are nesting on the beaches. Instead of solely relying on Google satellite images, she independently arranged a visit to the island and met with the director, toured the island, and collected field data to enhance her satellite analysis.
鈥淚 got to go to the island this semester and work with them. That was fun because I鈥檝e never been to Little St. Simons, and you have to get permission to go over there. It was a fun experience to see the island,” she said. “I looked at data from the past 15 years to see if the sea turtle nests were moving. I found out that even though the south end of the island is eroding, sea turtles are still nesting there.鈥�
For her Oceanography course, her group project analyzed data collected by robotic floats in the Southern Ocean, located around Antarctica. Her group investigated whether temperature, pH, salinity, and dissolved oxygen levels changed between locations and seasons in different areas of the Southern Ocean. Her third project involved water quality sampling off of St. Simons Island and the Altamaha River in Darien. Kroken鈥檚 group measured different water quality parameters such as salinity, turbidity, and chlorophyll A concentrations to determine if they could use those indicators to predict the presence of sharks in the area. Kroken鈥檚 fourth project explored how different socioeconomic classes are impacting the climate.
鈥淲ithin the past year, a lot of people have been talking about celebrity private jet use. If you鈥檙e going to travel for an hour, just drive, because you鈥檙e emitting so much CO2 into the atmosphere,鈥� Kroken said. 鈥淚 did a project looking at how much CO2 emissions corporations release, versus the top one percent, versus the average person. I looked at how much CO2 is released through aviation. Corporations release a lot more CO2 than the average person that flies.鈥�
Kroken presented her projects at the 2025 ENDEAVOR Conference. She鈥檚 also presented in the past at the College鈥檚 annual Coastal Science Symposium, the Georgia Water Resources Conference, and at the 2024 American Geophysical Union conference in Washington, D.C.鈥攐ne of the most prestigious international scientific meetings.
During her time at Coastal, Kroken also stayed active on campus. She was a member of the Geology Club, regularly attended and helped with the Department of Natural Sciences鈥� weekly seminar series, and tutored fellow students as a supplemental instructor.
鈥淚 made the right decision coming here. I love the degree and I love the program. It鈥檚 going to help me do what I want to do. I鈥檝e had amazing experiences here through the fieldwork, the research鈥攅verything,鈥� she said.
Her favorite moments at the College all involved being outdoors, in the field. Her first introduction to the environmental science major was through a Maymester course where her class went camping all over Georgia, she said. They went to the Okefenokee Swamp, Cloudland Canyon State Park, went caving, and did white water rafting鈥攁ll while learning about the hydrology of those places.
鈥淭hat was probably the highlight of my time here,鈥� Kroken said. 鈥淭hat was the introduction to the major, and that experience was amazing. People ask, 鈥楽hould I do this major?鈥� and I鈥檓 like, 鈥榊es!鈥欌��
Her advice to other students, especially those in her program, is to take advantage of the opportunities presented.
鈥淕o on the Maymester trip or go on the fall caving trip. You learn so much in the field if that鈥檚 what you want your job to be. If you want to be a field technician, this is how you get that experience,鈥� she said. 鈥淎lso, it鈥檚 about teambuilding. As a major, we鈥檙e really good about everyone knowing each other. Take advantage of those opportunities and get to know everybody鈥攁cademically and personally.鈥�
Before coming to the College, Kroken had never taken a college-level science class. Entering college as a science major, while never taking a college science course, made her very nervous. She was also apprehensive about the higher-level math courses she was required to take for her major. She wondered if she would enjoy her major, or if it would change again.
鈥淚 learned to really love it, and, through the program, see how important environmental science truly is. I fell in love with it,鈥� Kroken said.
Academic Recognition Day
When Kroken first learned that she was selected as the College鈥檚 Academic Recognition Day honoree, she was excited to be recognized. She got the phone call while attending a DNS seminar and had to step outside of the room.
鈥淚t was awesome to know that they saw the work I was putting in. I was honored that I was picked,鈥� she said.
Academic Recognition Day is usually scheduled for earlier in the spring semester, but this year, it took place after commencement. After walking across the graduation stage on Jekyll Island and earning her degree, the following week, Kroken travelled to Atlanta for Academic Recognition Day at the Board of Regents. Reid was accompanied by her parents for the special event.
鈥淚 think being at the meeting really put into perspective how little of a chance I had of being there, and of everyone that could have gone to the meeting. I got chosen to be there,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t was kind of surreal. In that moment, I felt proud of what I had accomplished, and was proud to represent Coastal Georgia at the meeting.鈥�
Reid also met some of the other honorees from other institutions across the state and exchanged contact information with them.
Academic Recognition Day honorees for 2025 with USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue.
Photo by Rob Felt of Georgia Tech
Kroken truly enjoyed her time at the College, and found ways to give back by mentoring new students and welcoming other transfer students, like herself. She not only gained hands-on skills, but also travelled and presented at various conferences, and found community. When asked what is the College鈥檚 best kept secret, Kroken said that part of it is the location.
鈥淚 love that it鈥檚 by the beach, it鈥檚 small, and has its own community. I love the community,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou know a lot of people, and you don鈥檛 get that at a larger university. I love that about here.鈥�
Kroken now feels prepared for her future career working with marine life. She is currently interning at the Jacksonville Zoo, and is working with stingrays.
鈥淚鈥檒l be helping with water quality for the tank, and tank maintenance. I鈥檒l also learn how to feed them and take care of them. I would love to do that as my career,鈥� she said.
Kroken is greatly looking forward to gaining new experience in that field. While she鈥檚 not working with marine life, you can find Kroken reading or watching movies.