The Coll Gordon Perske Scuba Scholarship Program honors the legacy of Coll Gordon Perske, our dear friend and colleague, who dedicated his life to caring for California sea lions in both their natural habitat and in human care.
At its heart, this scholarship is about opportunity. It’s about giving the young professionals, who otherwise may not have the opportunity, access to experiences that can shape their futures. It’s also about continuing Coll’s legacy by investing in the next generation of ocean stewards.
Purpose
In partnership with Beyond Land Adventures Dive Center in San Diego, not only will recipients walk away with an Open Water Scuba Certification, but they will also participate in webinars and mentorship opportunities to further their careers in the marine sciences.
“I found so much value in this experience and my certification. I can explore a whole new world and feel like a new person. This experience has made me feel like I can take on anything. I’ve proven to my parents that I’m the strong daughter they raised me to be.” – Angelina, 2024 Scholarship Recipient
“This experience has taught me to be adaptive in hard situations and to demonstrate the importance of being a good listener and the true adventure of scuba diving for the first time. I was not in a good mental health space before going on this trip and I was pretty down and about in my life. But when I heard back from my mom that I was going to go and be able to learn how to scuba dive I was so ecstatic and happy. This experience moved me and helped me feel more accomplished as a person.” – Noah, 2024 Scholarship Recipient
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be 18 years or older at the time of certification
- Be able to speak, read, and write in English
- Be able to provide their own transportation to all scholarship-related activities and events, including to the scuba shop for equipment fitting and to all diving locations.
- Complete the NMMF Release of Liability in addition to the required documentation from the dive center, Beyond Land Adventures
- Have flexible availability on weekends and evenings
- Be able to satisfy the minimum physical fitness standards for an Open Water Scuba Certification.
- Be available for all scholarship-related activities, including webinars, field trips, and scuba training.
Priority will be given to applicants from historically underrepresented communities who are pursuing a degree or career in marine/aquatic science, maritime industries, professional scuba diving, underwater welding, or a related field of expertise.
INTERESTED IN THIS SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY?
Please fill out the interest form here. This interest form is available year-round on a rolling basis! Applicants are reviewed every spring, and all qualified applicants will be notified directly via email.
The Coll Gordon Perske Scuba Scholarship Program is made possible through a generous donation from the Perske Family and our wonderful community of Coll’s friends, family, and colleagues who have contributed in his honor over the years. In an effort to sustain and grow our impact, we welcome new supporters who care about increasing access to scuba diving and opening doors into the world of marine science. Please consider making a donation to support this effort!
