Kennady Hertz, a University of Mississippi graduate student in integrated marketing communications, spends time enjoying the scenery of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The Long Beach native said that witnessing the aftermath of environmental crises, such as Hurricane Katrina, sparked her interest in a career path committed to maintaining safe and healthy environments. Submitted photo
Mississippi native selected for Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship
University of Mississippi graduate student Kennady Hertz will spend 2025 gaining valuable environmental policy experience in the nation’s capital as part of an elite fellowship program.
Hertz, an integrated marketing and communications graduate student, is among the 88 finalists chosen for the 2025 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sea Grant John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship Program. The yearlong fellowship selects students and recent graduates from advanced degree programs to work alongside federal agencies that tackle critical marine, coastal and Great Lakes policy issues.
Beginning February 1, 2025, Hertz will work as an international relations specialist with the NOAA National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service’s International and Interagency Affairs Division. The agency manages the U.S. environmental satellite program.
“I want to learn as much as possible about marine science, environmental regulations and how the government actually works up there in D.C.,” Hertz said.
“My goal is to return to Mississippi and apply what I’ve learned to help make a meaningful impact on my home community.”
As an international relations specialist, the Long Beach native’s fellowship could include several international trips. Her responsibilities may also include:
- Preparing position papers
- Supporting the service’s senior leadership ahead of meetings with foreign partners or during foreign travel
- Meeting with the division’s partners, including the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space
- Monitoring national and international Earth observation policies and programs to advise on changes that may affect the division.
“I’m excited to apply what I’ve learned about intelligence, policy and now integrated marketing,” Hertz said. I’m excited to be able to apply that outside of the academic setting and in the professional world.
“The chance to go to D.C. and dive specifically into the marine policy sphere – a field that I always wanted to be a part of – it seems like just a perfect fit for me.”
Hertz, who hold a bachelor’s degree from Ole Miss in public policy leadership and a minor in intelligence and security studies, developed an interest in environmental work after she witnessed the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill before the age of 10.
Ike Brunner, an instructional assistant professor in the IMC department, has witnessed Hertz’s genuine interest environmental policy. He shared his confidence in her skills and hunger for learning in a letter of recommendation that accompanied her fellowship application.
“You can tell there are certain students who have the passion, who have the dedication,” Brunner said.
“She’s going to be successful no matter what she does, but if she gets in an area that allows her to explore her passion for environmental issues, she’s really going to make a difference.”
Hertz’s commitment to making a difference is evidenced by her 2022 and 2023 fellowships with the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute and the Silverado Policy Accelerator, both in Washington, D.C.
Described as deliberate, proactive, passionate and dedicated to her studies, Hertz earned this prestigious opportunity and the results it’s likely to yield, Brunner said.
“I really wanted her to get this because I felt that this is the one thing – the piece of experience, the bullet point on her CV – that she’s going to be able to talk about in interviews that’s going to start her successful career path.”
By Marvis Herring
