ANNVILLE, Pa. – Women's lacrosse player Morgan Ernst '21 recently took part in an incredible internship in Kihei, on the island of Maui, in Hawaii. Ernst, a psychology major, was a research assistant as part of the Ocean Mammal Institute Winter Internship, where she and five others observed behavioral patterns of the Hawaiian humpback whale.

Ernst found the internship through Handshake, a job/internship-finder through LVC's Breen Center for Graduate Success.

During the three-week January internship, Ernst observed behavioral patterns and interrupted behaviors of the whales caused by outside sources, such as boats or other water vessels coming in close radius of the whale pods.

"It was an experience of a lifetime," Ernst said, "I met people I would have never met and learned so much about ocean mammalian life and what humans are doing to interrupt their ecosystem and how we can begin to reverse the damage."

Along with the observations, Ernst learned the basics of field-research techniques, and participated in classes and discussions about the politics behind conservation, specifically oceanic conservation.



"It was a short internship, but the friendships I made felt like we knew each other for years," said Ernst. "To be in the field researching something we loved and were passionate about felt like we were having fun and not 'working'."

Ernst hopes this experience will open doors by giving her a leg up on peers who haven't conducted field research. She also feels it will show graduate programs that she plans to apply to that she is comfortable, capable, and familiar with real world research.



Back in Annville, Ernst is a team captain and an all-conference defender for the reigning MAC Commonwealth women's lacrosse champions. She's also treasurer of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, a peer tutor, and a research assistant in the baby lab of Dr. Rachel Albert, assistant professor of psychology.

Juggling these activities on top of schoolwork is what Ernst and the rest of LVC student-athletes are all about. Ernst said she had to become a master of time management to balance academics, athletics, and her extracurricular activities.

"While it is not easy, it is definitely doable, especially with all the help that is available. I work with Peer Tutors and staff in the Writing Center, and use the study rooms so I can achieve excellence." said Ernst. "Most of the student-athletes are also very good at balancing work and sports, so it is easy to follow a similar path."

Be sure to follow @lvcathletics on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for the most in-depth coverage of LVC athletics.