| OUR STAFF |
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Since 1998 Sea|mester has been a leader in shipboard experiential education programs. Much of our success is due to the experience of the operational staff who run the programs on board our vessels year round.
Staff selection is made on the basis of many criteria. All are qualified professionals with significant teaching experience in their subject areas. Every member of our team is multi-talented, combining the practical skills essential to the operation of a mobile live-aboard program with the more traditional university, graduate and post-graduate degree education. All are proven educators, and most have a minimum of two years working with our high school level ActionQuest programs before stepping aboard. What unites our staff is their love of teaching, personal drive, motivation and integrity as well as the enthusiasm to give 110% for their students.
Our staff include U.S. Coast Guard licensed captains, IYT/MCA Master of Yachts 200 Ton Offshore and Ocean, PADI scuba instructors, marine scientists, oceanographers and Emergency Medical Technicians. All staff members are trained first aid responders. Staff to student ratio is 1:4, providing close interaction and individual attention. Average staff age is 32.
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Michael Meighan - Director 
Mike’s love of the sea lured him to scuba diving and sailing at the age of 15. At 18, he voyaged throughout the Mediterranean and taught diving internationally before entering
Southampton University in the UK. He graduated with a First Class Joint Honors degree in Oceanography and Marine Biology.
In 1995, Mike assumed the role of ActionQuest marine biologist, oceanographer and scuba instructor. Over the years, his love for experiential learning and the AQ programs led him to become involved in all aspects of operations. His passion for teaching traditional academics in an experiential way led to the development of Sea|mester in 1998. Today, Mike directs all operations and activities in addition to developing new voyages, programs and course curriculums. He sails with the BVI ActionQuest and Sea|mester programs full-time each summer.
The Meighan family has a deep-rooted affection for the water. Mike’s wife Jo spent several summers as a PADI diving instructor with AQ in the BVI, and works in the Sarasota office part-time. Mike and Jo live in Sarasota with their sons Joshua and Kai who are naturally fond of the water and have even sailed with the family in the BVI. |
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Jim Stoll - Director 
Jim spent much of his youth aboard boats. As a young man, he became an avid ocean racer crewing many times aboard legendary racing yachts like Jack Eckerd’s Panacea, S.A. Long’s Ondine and Jim Kilroy’s Kialoa. In 1970, Jim and his wife, Elske, became
owners and captains of the 156-ft. schoolship Te Vega, sailing with her sister-ship, the 175-ft. Te Quest. This is where Jim first combined his passion for the ocean and years of experience to teach young adults sailing and hands-on academics. After 12 years and 50,000 miles of cruising throughout European, Mediterranean, South American and Caribbean waters, the Stolls moved ashore with their children, Carina and Jason.
Jim revisited his passion for working with teenagers when he established ActionQuest. The untraditional programs challenged young adults with high-action adventure and personal growth. The concept was so successful that similar programs like Sea|mester and Lifeworks were developed to further serve teenagers and young adults with both an academic and community service focus. |
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Travis Yates - Operations Director & Marine Superintendent 
Travis joined the team in 1995, after graduating from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy with a degree in Marine Engineering. Always a sailor, Travis competed at both national and international levels, culminating in a bid for the U.S. Olympic Sailing Team in 1996. Travis holds an MCA/IYT International Master of Ocean Yachts, US Coast Guard Captain’s License and is an Instructor Evaluator for US Sailing. He is also a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer.
As Marine Superintendent, Travis is responsible for both Sea|mester vessels and all equipment. Travis lives in Sarasota with his wife Laura, and children Hannah and Luke.
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