After 25 years of The Island School, we reflect on the stories and journeys of alumni who have helped shape our circle. One such journey is that of Connor Boals F03. Today, Connor is the Head of Media for OceanX, a non-profit with a mission to explore the ocean and bring it back to the world.

In the early years of our Semester program, students often discovered us through word of mouth after a friend or family member attended one of our programs. In contrast, Connor first heard of The Island School through a local newspaper article that featured another student who attended from his small town in Michigan. With no social media, the only photo he had of The Island School was a black and white image of this fellow student scuba diving. Even with knowing so little, Connor took a leap into the unknown and attended The Island School as a Semester student in the Fall of 2003.

Crafting The Narrative Around Ocean Conservation

Connor’s experience during his semester at The Island School not only deepened his connection to the natural world but also taught him more about himself.

As he reflects, The Island School “taught me how to lead, how to be confident in myself, and how to look to those around me, whether they be my neighbors, my colleagues or my own family and look for their skills and strengths and find beauty in the way we can all come together to accomplish something greater.”

Before arriving at OceanX, he worked as a producer and journalist for various news outlets, including ABC News, Thomson Reuters, NowThis, and CNN. While he often sought ways to incorporate marine stories into his work, he has now come full circle—returning to the marine world as Head of Media for OceanX. He leads a team of producers, editors, and filmmakers who collaborate with scientists to share groundbreaking ocean discoveries from around the globe.

Diving Into Science and Storytelling—Literally.

In fact, if you’ve been following The Island School for a while, you may remember when OceanX partnered with CEI in 2018 to research the deep seas of the Exuma Sound aboard the Alucia deep-sea research vessel. While Connor wasn’t yet part of the OceanX team, this collaboration reflects the kind of impactful work his organization continues to do—pushing the boundaries of ocean exploration and bringing its wonders to the world.

Connor’s journey—from discovering The Island School through a newspaper clipping to leading media efforts for one of the world’s premier ocean exploration organizations—exemplifies the spirit of adventure, leadership, and lifelong learning that defines our alumni. His work at OceanX continues to inspire new generations to explore, protect, and share the wonders of our blue planet.