USD Magazine Spring 2026

A Full Circle Moment “Not only did I get an experience at USD in high school, but I loved it here,” Soto said. “I felt accepted. I felt heard. It was basically my place to go, and this was possible because of Ocean Discovery.” Now pursuing a degree in psychology and marketing, Soto credits Ocean Discovery with helping him explore his interests beyond marine biology. “Ocean Discovery allowed me to not only discover my passion for science but also develop an understanding of what I should strive for,” added Soto. “They allowed me to find curiosity in other fields, not only marine life, but what other careers are out there.” Soto continues to stay connected to Ocean Discovery. He returns to mentor and tutor younger students and shares the same excitement that once helped him on his path to college. “We want to give students a spark that makes young people want to learn,” Fisler said. “Jace is that spark. He is a representation of who Ocean Discovery is as an organization.” USD and Ocean Discovery hope to ignite that same spark in thousands more students for years to come. “That is something I feel really grateful for,” Fisler reflected. “We’re all influencing each other in very deeply meaningful ways. We’re all growing and changing together, and we’re making the world a better place in the process.”

“They live in the dorms, conduct research and have an extraordinary experience that most high school students don’t get, especially students from low-income neighborhoods. So that is huge.” Another key part of the collaboration is a teaching fellowship between Ocean Discovery and USD’s School of Leadership and Education Sciences that nurtures the next generation of educators. The one-year program will provide hands-on teaching experience, professional development and mentorship at Ocean Discovery. Teaching fellows will have multiple options to continue their journey through USD, including coursework toward teaching credentials, access to internships or residency programs and additional professional development. The partnership also includes joint research focused on helping students build mathematics mindsets through Ocean Discovery’s out-of school programming. USD and Ocean Discovery will also continue to support AnchorSTEM Scholars. That program supports students in STEM fields by providing faculty mentorship, research opportunities, community engagement and financial assistance. For students like Soto, the partnership represents something more personal. Through his time at Ocean Discovery, Soto participated in research opportunities, enrolled in college courses and built connections with university faculty. One connection, in particular, with his mentor, Dr. Perla Myers, led him to apply for the AnchorSTEM Scholars program.

4 USD College Corps students have served at Ocean Discovery

2 USD faculty members serve on Ocean Discovery’s Science Advisory Council

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