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Marine Institute celebrates 2026 graduates

Congratulations to all Marine Institute graduates!

Monday, June 15, 2026 By Ryan Hiscock

Read about four successful graduates and what they say about their experiences. The ceremony will be broadcast live beginning at 2 p.m. (NDT) and archived on MI’s YouTube channel for future viewing

Allison White
Naval Architecture, Diploma of Technology, School of Maritime Studies

Intrigue and Admiration

For Allison White, choosing MI’s Naval Architecture program wasn’t just the first step toward a career; it was the culmination of a lifetime of fascination and admiration for both ship design and her father’s work.

“My dad graduated from this same program. I always went to his office and would see all the drawings laid out on his desk and was so intrigued,” Allison explains. “After learning more about the program, as well as the atmosphere at the Marine Institute, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in this industry.”

Graduation 2026 Allison White

A True Naval Architect

“My favorite memory during this program was doing the lines plan course in the first-year tech session. This course really made me feel like I was on the road to being a true naval architect. Another memory that will always stand out is my classmates and me getting ready for the open house and seeing all our work laid out. We all stood there looking at everything we had completed and accomplished in our third year, knowing it was all coming to an end. This is a memory I don’t think any of us will forget.”

A Healthy Balance

“My advice for students interested in this program is to learn time management. Staying on top of assignments and tests makes the biggest difference and manages stress. This program is a lot of work but staying on top of the work while maintaining a healthy balance will result in the best work as well as a better mindset. Finding a balance early on will become a huge benefit when it comes to the third-year project.”

Samuel Warren
Underwater Vehicles, Diploma of Technology, School of Ocean Technology

A Passion for the Ocean

Growing up in St. Anthony, Sam Warren didn’t just celebrate the coastal beauty of Newfoundland and Labrador; he lived it. Sam’s love of the ocean, paired with a natural interest in technology, drew him to the Underwater Vehicles program.

“Whether it was fishing, iceberg watching, or whale watching, I’ve always had a passion for the ocean. I have also always been interested in technology, so this program allowed me to combine two of my interests into a career I enjoy.”

Graduation 2026 Samuel Warren

Samuel Warren accepts a Fry Family Foundation Leadership Award during the Marine Institute Winter 2026 Scholarships and Awards Ceremony.

Global Expertise

“My favourite experience in the Underwater Vehicles program has to be my work placement. The opportunity to apply what I learned in the classroom to real-world applications really confirmed my interest in underwater technology. I was also fortunate enough to travel and explore parts of Norway and Amsterdam during my placement.”

Next Steps

“After graduation, I plan to continue my education by pursuing a Bachelor of Technology in Engineering and Applied Science through the Marine Institute while also working full-time as an ROV Pilot Technician with Subsea 7. Outside of work and school, I plan to spend my free time travelling and exploring new countries.”

Shannon Breen and Niamh Mulrooney
Marine Environmental, Diploma of Technology, School of Fisheries

From Classmates to Global Travelers: The MI Experience

A shared interest in hands-on learning, a passion for STEM and a love of the ocean inspired high school classmates Shannon Breen and Niamh Mulrooney to choose the Marine Environmental program at MI.

“Marine Environmental offers courses that I love, such as math and science,” says Shannon, “but also offers the technical session to teach fish identification, vessel operation and oil spill response.”

Niamh says: “The hands-on experience and small class sizes are exactly what I wanted from post-secondary education. My father and grandfather were both seafarers, so I have always been intrigued by the ocean.”

“Having a friend to go through the program with pushed me outside my comfort zone to get more involved and motivated me academically,” Shannon adds.

Graduation 2026 Shannon Breen Niamh Mulrooney

Shannon Breen and Niamh Mulrooney display awards received during the Marine Institute Winter 2026 Scholarships and Awards Ceremony.

Unlocking Global Opportunities

When asked about their favourite memories of the program, both graduates share their travel experiences.

Shannon explains: “During the program we both got to travel to Grenada. We also sailed from Montreal to Brigus aboard the Ernestina Morrissey. Both trips gave us so much experience for future employment.” She adds: “It was so amazing to meet the students in Grenada and learn their different ways of conducting field work. I got to travel there with Niamh and we both got to speak at the Fellows in Caribbean Academic Leadership Conference at St. George’s University.”

“Attending the Marine Institute means that opportunities will constantly show themselves if you are looking in the right direction,” adds Niamh. “I am so grateful and lucky to have had such a positive post-secondary experience, all thanks to the Marine Institute community who believed in me before I saw anything in myself.”

Words of Wisdom

Both graduates offer the same piece of advice for incoming students: “Get involved.”

“The Marine Institute offers far more than just academics,” they share. “There are scholarships, travel opportunities, international exchanges, conferences, research projects and work placements that can significantly enhance your education and professional development.”

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