The University of Guam has appointed Dr. Austin Shelton to Executive Director of the Center for Island Sustainability. Shelton is a graduate of Hawaii Pacific University where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology. He also completed a master's and a doctorate in zoology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, specializing in marine biology.

Shelton currently serves as an assistant professor of extension and outreach in the UOG Sea Grant Program. He also coordinates education, outreach, and diversity activities as a Co-Principal Investigator in the Guam EPSCoR Program funded by the National Science Foundation.

As executive director, Shelton plans to establish a CIS community advisory board to help drive initiatives. He also plans to establish new collaborations and expand programming to meet the needs of island communities in the broader areas of environment, economy, society, and education.  

“Sustaining our islands now and for future generations in the face of global and local environmental challenges is a critical task,” Shelton said. “I am honored to be in a leadership position to make a difference. 

“CIS is going to continue cultivating and inspiring our people to take action to achieve island sustainability.  I very much look forward to engaging our community and demonstrating the connection of island resources to our people, culture, and economy. 

Shelton grew up near the beach in Asan, Guam where he developed a life-long interest in island environments. He is committed to broadening the participation and success of fellow Pacific Islanders in science, technology, engineering & mathematics (STEM). He served on the national Board of Directors of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/ Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) and recently completed the 2017 Linton-Poodry SACNAS Leadership Institute at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).