The Sea|mester Team

This isn't our first rodeo... or even our first circumnavigation. We've been sailing the world's oceans for over 30 years. We do it because it's not just what we love- it's who we are.

Like you, we're curious--so seeing and doing are part of our learning curve.

So is the commitment to continuously push ourselves and our crew to new heights. And like you, we're as diverse as the destinations we travel. We come from all different backgrounds--Captains, Marine Engineers, Marine Biologists, Oceanographers, ... Some of our team came to Sea|mester to study abroad in college and found their way back realizing that their life's work was right here. Regardless of how we arrived or where we came from, we share a desire to reach, discover and evolve. It's probably why we chose Sea|mester over a 9-to-5 gig in the first place. Deep down, everyone wants to set their own course.

Click on our team members below to learn more about them.

Michael Meighan - President

Experiential educator and adventurer, British-born Mike Meighan learned scuba diving and sailing at 15. He then traveled the Mediterranean teaching scuba and sailing before entering Southampton University in the UK. There he took a First Class Joint Honors degree in Oceanography and Marine Biology. In 1995, Mike joined Jim at ActionQuest as the program's biologist, oceanographer and scuba instructor.

His passion for the water and for experiential academics led him, in 1998, to develop a sister program to ActionQuest, one for students 18 and up. With the acquisition of the schooner Ocean Star in 2000, Sea|mester's year-round 20, 40 and 80-day Caribbean program of sailing and college-level academics was under sail.

Travis Yates - Director of Operations

Travis joined the team in 1995 having graduated 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 Director of Operations and Marine Superintendent, Travis is responsible for day-to-day operations as well as all Sea|mester vessels and equipment.

Jim Stoll - Co Founder

As a young man Jim Stoll was an avid ocean racer, crewing aboard legendary yachts like Jack Eckerd's Panacea, S.A. Long's Ondine and Jim Kilroy's Kialoa. In 1970, Jim became the owner and captain of the 156-ft. school ship Te Vega and her sister ship, the 175-ft. Te Quest. It was aboard these two vessels that Jim first began to develop his programs to teach young adults, 13 – 17, sailing and hands-on academics. After 12 years and 50,000 miles of cruising throughout Europe, the Mediterranean, South American and Caribbean waters, Jim returned to his childhood home in Sarasota, Florida and began ActionQuest, a non-traditional summer program that challenged teens with high-action adventure on summertime voyages aboard 50-ft sailing yachts through the Caribbean.

Kevin Johnsen - Captain

Kevin Johnsen grew up sailing in California with his family. As a true Waterman, Kevin has always loved anything to do with swimming and the ocean. While attending college at San Diego State University as a History major, Kevin took his love for the ocean, teaching and sailing and combined them to become a sailing instructor. Over the following 4 years, Kevin instructed all ages from 6 to 60 and multiple levels from the smallest dinghy to J-24s.

After graduating in 2006, Kevin decided to complete his Captains license through the USCG and to pursue other employment on larger vessels upon the open ocean. In 2008, he found ActionQuest and worked his first summer as a skipper aboard 50' live aboard boats with our teen program. After an amazing summer, Kevin joined our Sea|mester family and in the fall of 2008, Kevin joined the S/Y Argo out in Australia. Since then Kevin has been with the company full-time, sailing over two thirds of the globe aboard Argo, all throughout the Caribbean aboard Ocean Star, all the while working his way up from 2nd Mate to now Captain of our Sea|mester vessels. Kevin holds two Captains licenses, and is a US Sailing Instructor and PADI Divemaster. He enjoys sharing his knowledge of sailing, love for the ocean and life at sea with each new crew, helping instill his passion for life with others.

Sam Butler-Hogg - Captain

Sam was born in the UK, and after moving to New Zealand at age five, quickly caught the travel bug and has since made his way to over 90 countries. He represented New Zealand at Canoe Polo while earning a Bachelors of Commerce at the University of Auckland. After graduating, he moved to Europe and ingrained himself in the adventure sports industry, working as a snowboard instructor, dive instructor and later running several dive operations around the world. Sam holds a IYT Master of Yachts Unlimited and is working towards his 3000 ton Chief Mate certificate.

Kyle Busacker - Director of Enrollment

As a Business and History student at the University of Oregon, Kyle decided to study abroad his Junior year by attending a fall voyage with Sea|mester. Kyle attests that the experience was so life changing, that soon after graduating he made it his goal to return. In the summer of 2006, Kyle became part of the ActionQuest team as an operational staff in the British Virgin Islands, while over the next three years also working for our Lifeworks and Sea|mester programs.

During this time, Kyle attained his 200 gross ton Master of Yachts Offshore captains license and his PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor Certification. After taking a year's hiatus working in the field of enrollment services in High Education, Kyle brought his knowledge and passion for experiential education back to our organization and is now running our west coast office in Portland, Oregon as the Director of Enrollment.

Leah Shopneck - Operational Director

Leah is a native Cleveland, Ohio resident and following high school began her explorations of the globe, by first living and studying for a year in Iceland. A University of Mary Washington alum, Leah majored in Geography. During her third year of college, she joined the crew of S/Y Argo as a study abroad student looking to see the world from the water, sailing from the British Virgin Islands to Tahiti. Less than six months after stepping off as a student, Leah rejoined the crew as a staff member and since then has logged over 50,000 sea miles. As a staff member with Sea|mester, Leah enjoys working with the program's students, helping them learn the way of the mariner and explorer. Leah holds a 200-ton Master of Yachts Offshore captain's license and a PADI Divemaster certification.

Al Savor - First Mate

Growing up in the Midwest, Al spent most of his youth on boats of all kinds and sizes in the Great Lakes Region. He worked in the manufacturing and fabrication business, then attended the University of Minnesota Duluth, studying business management. He worked as a ground-based flight instructor and coached the UMD alpine ski team while in college. Al worked as a delivery and charter skipper on the east coast and in the Caribbean. In 2009, he joined Sea|mester as mate and ActionQuest as Program Director in the summers. With a deep love for all things wind and sea related, he loves to spread that passion to shipmates. Al holds an MCA/IYT Master of Yachts 200 Ton Unlimited License, Advanced Medical Care at Sea, PADI Divemaster and FAA Private Pilots Licenses.

Kris Stevenson - Marine Scientist / Second Mate

Kris was born in Rotterdam, Holland, and spent most of his formative years growing up in the Middle East and England. He graduated from the University of Southampton, United Kingdom, with a Masters degree in Oceanography, having spent a semester abroad in the United States studying at the University of North Carolina in Wilmington. Following a strong family connection to the sea, Kris was naturally inclined towards a life revolving around the Oceans. Having spent the last four summers working within the Global Expeditions Group in the British Virgin Islands teaching a mixture of Marine Sciences, diving and sailing, Kris joined the Sea|mester team in 2009 as a member of the Marine Science Faculty, Diving Instructor and Mate. Kris' professional credentials include PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, IYT Master of Yachts 200 tons and also serves as a member of faculty at the State College of Florida.

Kristine Faloon - Marine Scientist

Kristine Faloon grew up sailing and exploring the shores and marine critters of the Long Island Sound. She joined Sea|mester in July 2010, bringing experience in teaching and marine science research through working in diverse aquatic systems from Alaska to Tanzania and throughout Central, South America and the Caribbean.

Kristine earned her Bachelor's degree in Biology from Boston University and a Master's degree in Coastal and Marine Resource Management from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She originally hails from New York but now considers herself a California girl after living and working at the Catalina Island Marine Institute, getting her Master's in Santa Barbara and working for the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary prior to her arrival at Sea|mester. Kristine teaches Marine Biology and Oceanography and is also a PADI scuba instructor. She holds a 200 ton limited Master of Yachts from MCA/IYT. She loves being able to share her passion for ocean life with her students while exploring new places.

Gina Barnaba - Registrar

Gina joined Sea|mester and ActionQuest in December 2003. She earned both a Bachelor's degree and Associate of Applied Science Degree while studying and working in New York City. She brings to Sea|mester her extensive managerial experience which allows her to oversee the admissions process as well as an ability to work with each student's individual needs and interests. Gina's passion for our program and for the happiness of our students makes her an invaluable part of our team and a great advocate for our shipmates. When not working at Sea|mester, Gina enjoys spending time with her husband Rick, and children, Marisa and Tristan.

Jo Meighan - CFO

Jo joined ActionQuest in 1997 as a full-time office staff member and PADI dive instructor. Having spent six summers teaching with ActionQuest in the BVIs, she now works in the Sarasota office as CFO. The rest of her time is devoted to raising sons Joshua and Kai. She has a Bachelor's degree in French from Southampton University, UK. Born in Jamaica and raised in Britain, Jo has traveled extensively, having lived and worked abroad in several countries. She has a passion for the arts and for working with Sea|mester to provide life-defining experiences for young adults.

Greg Skinner - Technical Director

Greg joined the team after participating in the summer 2002 Caribbean Sea|mester. He was inspired to earn his EMT certification and his PADI Divemaster certification in order to join the team in an operational capacity. Greg spent two summers in the BVI providing emergency medical support, dive support and worked as both a First Mate and Skipper. Greg now provides support for Sea|mester's websites as well as general technical support and guidance for the program. Greg holds a bachelor's degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology in Information Technology and is currently pursuing his Master's degree at the George Washington University in Computer Security.

Jack Pincus - First Mate

Born in Colorado, Jack moved with his family at an early age and enjoyed an international upbringing in South America. When he was a child in Argentina, Jack first started sailing windsurfers and small dinghies on the River Plate. After returning to the United States, Jack raced lasers as a junior sailor. He returned to Colorado to study Economics at Fort Lewis College, graduating with a B.Sc. Since 2009, Jack has been a team member on Sea|mester's sister programs, Lifeworks International and ActionQuest, joining Sea|mester as a mate in 2010. Onboard Sea|mester, Jack teaches Seamanship as well as the Student Leadership Development course. Jack currently holds an IYT Master of Yachts 200 ton sail and power endorsed, as well as a PADI Divemaster certification.

Matt Roberts - Marine Scientist

After graduating from high school in eastern North Carolina, Matt's passion for science and the marine environment culminated in him receiving a research grant from NC State University. He continued his studies at University of North Carolina at Wilmington and holds a combined degree in Marine Biology and Marine Technology. While at university, Matt became a PADI dive instructor and the Assistant Dive Safety Officer at the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher. After graduating, he began traveling, teaching and sailing throughout the Caribbean. Matt then joined the crew of a sailing vessel and embarked on a Pacific crossing from the US to Australia. It was while crossing the Pacific Ocean that Matt decided to fully link his science background with his passion for sailing and teaching. Matt looks forward to hopefully completing a circumnavigation while teaching for Sea|mester.

Brittany Davis - Scuba Instructor

Brittany was raised on the South Eastern coast of Virginia and spent the majority of her time near the water. She was certified as an Open Water Diver at the age of eleven and fell in love with being so close to marine life from that moment. Graduating from Old Dominion University with a Bachelor's Degree in Education, Brittany enjoys watching students learn and develop new knowledge. With these two passions, becoming a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor seemed like the perfect next step. Over the past four years, Brittany has been working with Global Expeditions Group and is continuously expanding her knowledge in sailing. She hopes to pass her enthusiasm of marine life and sailing onto all of the students. Along with PADI certifications, Brittany also holds IYT sailing certifications.

Becca Prasse - Scuba Instructor

Growing up in central Virginia, Becca spent as much of her spare time as she could near the water. At the age of 18, she obtained her scuba instructor certification, as well as her Wilderness First Responder certification, and traveled extensively throughout the Caribbean teaching diving. During the off seasons, she worked at several resorts throughout the States as a snowboard instructor and freestyle coach. Her love for an adventurous lifestyle first brought her to Argo as a shipmate, and eventually to ActionQuest as a dive instructor. As a Sea|mester and Argo alumna, Becca is excited to continue traveling by water and share her passions with young adults. She also holds various IYT sailing certifications and is looking forward to the opportunity to build upon her sailing knowledge.

Laura Casburn - Marine Scientist

Laura studied Marine Biology with Oceanography at the University of Southampton, England, graduating with a First Class Masters. While studying, she discovered her love of teaching and volunteered to teach Discover Oceanography, a hands-on science program for young people.

Laura has explored many sides of marine science work, from conservation through the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece, to academic, working aboard the Royal Research Ship Discovery, studying the effects of climate change on the Atlantic. Wanting to spend more time teaching and in the water, Laura gained her PADI Scuba Instructor licence, and has since become a specialty instructor. Laura loves sharing her combined passion for marine life, diving and sailing with the shipmates in a hands-on, interactive way where the world is the classroom.

Blair Williamson - PR and Alumni Relations

Blair is from Richmond, VA and grew up sailing in Wilmington, North Carolina. She graduated from the University of Virginia in 2008, having sailed with Sea|mester on S/Y Argo for her 2006 maiden voyage in Thailand. Blair has spent the last four summers with Global Expeditions Group in the British Virgin Islands as a dive instructor and captain. She has also spent time living and working aboard privately owned yachts in the Bahamas and in SE Asia, following her passion for travel and the ocean. Blair joined the company full time in the beginning of 2011 and works in the office with our Public Relations team. Blair’s professional credentials include PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer and IYT Master of Yachts 200 tons.

Sea|mester Employment

Do you think that you have what it takes to become a member of our team?

Typical Sea|mester staff...

Have an average age of around 30.
Although most of our staff members are US citizens, a wide range of nationalities are represented. English does not need to be a first language but staff must be fluent.
Our staff members meet a stringent set of minimum qualification requirements (see individual descriptions for details). All are trained in basic first aid and CPR.
Since all staff positions are physically demanding, our staff members are fit and healthy. They are nonsmokers and drink alcohol only occasionally.
Our staff members are positive role models for the students as well as the rest of the staff. They present a professional appearance at all times.

Our qualifications and experience are diverse and range from vocational and instructional right on through to the highest level of academics. What unites us is our love of teaching, personal drive, motivation and integrity as well as the enthusiasm to give 110% for an operational period. Many of us work full-time, others are traditional teachers during the rest of the year and choose to join us during a summer or sabbatical break.

Since we are a relatively small program, our staffing needs are limited. Typically, staff who teach vocational skills, such as sailing and scuba, are sourced through ActionQuest, our sister program. If you are a sailing or diving instructor and would like to apply for a position with us, please visit our ActionQuest employment site by clicking HERE as it is generally required that all Sea|mester vocational staff work within ActionQuest for a minimum of one summer season.

That said, every year we do look to hire one or two new team members. Click on the slider below to learn more about the positions available at this time.

Marine Science / Oceanography Instructor

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Job Description:

To teach two college-level marine science courses, Introduction to Oceanography (3 credit) and Introduction to Marine Biology (3 Credits). This includes all lecture and practical activities. Developing and grading quizzes and exams. Grading papers and presentations. Other duties include playing an active role in every aspect of life afloat. This will include mentoring the students, participation in sailing and scuba activities, cooking, cleaning and provisioning. Other duties will including student supervision during island activities (both academic and non-academic) such as field trips and island hikes.

Position Duration:

Annual employment with a typical contract running from September 15 - September 14 the following year. An annual contract covers three specific operational units:

Fall: September 20th - December 14th
Spring: January 8th - April 2nd
Summer: June 5th - August 23rd

Minimum Qualifications

The successful candidate will have a minimum of a Masters degree in Oceanography or Marine Science with 18 or more credit hours of documented oceanography or marine science classes taken at the master's level (or higher). Experience teaching to an undergraduate level. Although not required, the successful candidate may also hold one or more of these additional qualifications: PADI Divemaster or Instructor: USCG captains license; RYA / MCA Yachtmaster or Master of Yachts 200 ton; Emergency Medical Technician or other similar medical certification.

Employee Characteristics

The successful candidate will be a positive role model and be able to create a constructive learning environment. They will be able to feel comfortable living on a boat in close proximity to others for months at a time, and will also be willing to assist in all aspects of the program in addition to teaching the marine science classes. They will be a self-starter and be able to work without direct supervision. Excellent teaching and personal communications skills are also necessary. Life aboard presents many challenges and so the candidate must also exhibit the following: flexibility to changing environments, weather and circumstances; good judgment and the ability to interact patiently and constructively with our students; willingness to work irregular hours in remote locations; a sense of teamwork, humor and professional maturity.

Application Deadlines

Rolling, until positions are filled.

Salary & Benefits

Salary is commensurate with experience. Benefits include travel costs to and from the vessel, food, lodging and company medical insurance, repatriation credits and association memberships and insurance when applicable.

Application Form

Use the following link to download the Sea|mester staff application form in PDF format. You will need Acrobat Reader in order to open this file and you can download the latest reader program by clicking on the appropriate link.