Meet Rising Water Professional Sydney Mantell

Share with us a bit about who Sydney Mantell is:

I’m a Sea Grant John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellow at NOAA, working in the Communications Office for NOAA Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (“NOAA Research“). Even though I grew up over 500 miles from the ocean in Cincinnati, Ohio, I’ve always been passionate about marine science, environmental education, and the visual and performing arts. Through my work and studies, I combine these passions to effectively communicate the critical roles marine ecosystems play on Earth. After my Fellowship, I plan to pursue a PhD in environmental science, focusing on using public art for environmental activism. Outside of work, I’m a concert-goer and a Survivor superfan.

What is the Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship and why did you want to be a fellow?

The Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship offers graduate students the chance to work in the executive and legislative branches of the federal government, gaining hands-on experience in marine policy for one year. Fellows are placed in a variety of roles, from congressional offices to agencies like NOAA, EPA, and NSF. I applied because, while I knew I wanted to continue in academia, I wasn’t ready to jump into a PhD program right away following my Master of Environmental Management program. The fellowship has been extremely valuable in helping expand my professional network and science communication skill set. If you are currently enrolled in a graduate program and interested in being a Knauss Fellow, the application period is open until February 19, 2025!

What are you doing as part of your fellowship? Do you have a favorite memory from your experience?

As part of my fellowship, I help share the value of NOAA Research’s work through web stories, newsletters, and social media posts. One of my favorite projects was the “NOAA Research Bracket Challenge,” a March Madness-inspired social media campaign that highlighted our top stories of the year. I also had several opportunities to attend conferences this year such as oSTEM, Association of Science Communicators, and Black in Marine Science.

How did you hear about the Reservoir Center and what made you come to your first event?

I first came to the Reservoir Center for the Climate Action Careers for Change event in February 2024. This also happened to be the week I started my Knauss Fellowship! I’d heard about the event through the Women’s Aquatic Network and was eager to meet other environmental professionals in DC. The event attracted professionals from various sectors and career stages, which made it easy to network and ask questions. The charcuterie spread and fancy mocktails really sealed the deal – I knew I’d be back!

Over the last year, you have become very active as a member of our Rising Water Professional Steering Committee. Why did you want to get involved even though you’re leaving DC in a few months?

I’ve really enjoyed being part of the Rising Water Professional Steering Committee and helping support Reservoir Center events. My Knauss cohort and I have benefited from numerous opportunities, including career panels, co-working days, and volunteer events hosted at the Reservoir Center, so serving on the Steering Committee felt like a great way to give back. While I’m leaving DC after my Fellowship, I’m excited to stay involved remotely and help expand virtual events and build partnerships between the Reservoir Center and federal internship and fellowship programs like Knauss.

What’s one water challenge you hope is solved in your lifetime?

While I’m not sure if any major water challenge will be fully solved in my lifetime, I do believe we can make significant progress. One area where I see potential for change is incorporating ocean literacy into K-12 education. Currently, marine science isn’t widely integrated into school curricula, which means many people don’t fully understand the ocean’s role in our daily lives. Addressing this gap could inspire more people to take action to protect marine environments. Plus, learning about the ocean is really, really cool!