A Summer with Sea Turtles: Alex Chapman’s Island Internship

August 14, 2026Alex ChapmanPrograms of study:Outdoor Recreation StudiesAthletics teams:Women's Soccer

While many envision a typical college summer filled with relaxation, Alex Chapman embraced an extraordinary opportunity to work with endangered sea turtles during her final year at Montreat College. Balancing beach leisure with hands-on conservation efforts defined her days on St. Catherines Island.

“This experience exceeded every expectation I had,” Chapman reflects. Raised in Roxboro, North Carolina, her lifelong fascination with wildlife culminated in a role where she actively contributed to protecting loggerhead turtles through nest monitoring and genetic sampling.

The remote Georgia coastline provided ideal nesting grounds, where Chapman learned to distinguish species by their unique tracks. Her mornings began with tide-adjusted patrols to document nests, identify disturbances, and collect genetic material from adult females—a critical step in tracking population dynamics.

“Every encounter teaches us something new,” she explains. When hatchlings emerged after approximately 60 days, the team assessed survival rates, sometimes extracting flipper samples from deceased specimens to analyze paternity patterns. These insights revealed complex reproductive strategies among sea turtles.

Contrary to cinematic portrayals, Chapman discovered turtles possess endearing quirks. One repeatedly collided with obstacles, while another navigated dunes with comical persistence. Sand-flinging behaviors added unexpected humor to rigorous fieldwork, yet underscored the animals’ resilience.

Montreat’s academic environment proved pivotal. Chapman transitioned from an associate’s degree at Piedmont Community College to pursuing conservation law enforcement through the university’s Outdoor Recreation Studies program. A chance conversation about a church trip to Montreal sparked her interest in Montreat, leading to acceptance into their specialized curriculum.

Her soccer background initially seemed unrelated until Coach K offered a last-minute goalkeeper position. This serendipitous moment aligned perfectly with her passion for teamwork, ultimately shaping her interdisciplinary path. At Montreat, mentorship flourished—professors attended games, celebrated student achievements publicly, and fostered genuine connections beyond traditional classroom boundaries.

Chapman credits the institution’s supportive culture for her growth. Being known as individuals rather than mere students created an environment where curiosity thrived, she notes. This ethos extended to community engagement, as seen in her willingness to adapt to island life despite initial reservations about coastal living versus mountain preferences.

Completing her internship delayed graduation until September, allowing deeper immersion in conservation practices. Looking ahead, Chapman envisions expanding her impact beyond research into broader ecological initiatives while maintaining flexibility between coastal and mountainous habitats. Her journey exemplifies how unexpected opportunities can align with divine purpose, guiding both personal fulfillment and professional development.