Life often comes full circle—and Dr. Dana Stephens exemplifies this through her career-long connection to extension. Now serving as the Florida Sea Grant UF/IFAS Extension Agent for Okaloosa County, she embodies the program’s vision of community outreach, education, and application of science.
Growing up in Minnesota, the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” Dr. Stephens developed an early connection to water. She attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she earned a degree in Biological Conservation and Zoology. Her passion for water sciences was further sparked by coursework in biology and limnology. During this time, she gained hands-on research experience studying stickleback fish mating behavior with a graduate student. After her undergraduate studies, Stephens investigated invasive milfoil species affecting hundreds of lakes with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Stephens traded the snowy north for the humid south, only to find herself surrounded by more water, this time with extensive coastlines.
She earned her graduate degrees in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences from the University of Florida, focusing on nutrient dynamics in Florida’s water bodies. Using data from UF/IFAS Extension Florida LAKEWATCH- a citizen volunteer-led lake monitoring program – and additional sampling in Central Florida, she analyzed microcystin concentrations, examining factors like location, seasonality, and nutrients. For her dissertation, she developed a comprehensive database to study decadal trends in phosphorus, nitrogen, and chlorophyll, applying statistical models to understand nutrient dynamics.
Stephens’ involvement with LAKEWATCH introduced her to the many ways communities can actively engage in science—a fundamental idea of extension work.
“I’ve always appreciated the dedication of the community and the citizens who contribute to Lakewatch,” says Dr. Stephens. “It’s incredible to see decades of data collected by people who genuinely want to understand and protect their environment. I felt very honored to use those data in my work.”
Her passion for education led her to pursue postdoctoral work with the Dean of CALS (College of Agricultural and Life Sciences), contributing to a certificate program designed to tackle large-scale challenges through interdisciplinary approaches, incorporating perspectives from economics, food systems, policy, poverty, health, biological sciences, and natural resource management.
“It was a powerful program. Teaching those classes and witnessing the students’ growth as they engaged with such uncertain and complex topics was incredibly rewarding,” Dr. Stephens reflected.
Dr. Dana Stephens (left), with Florida Sea Grant IFAS extension agents Megan Moore (middle) and Katie Mastenbrook (right).
She later joined Northwest Florida State College, where she served as the director of the Mattie Kelly Environmental Institute. She also joined the faculty, eventually becoming the Department Chair of Math and Science. In 2020, she was appointed Dean of Arts and Sciences.
Stephens was introduced to Florida Sea Grant and Dr. Laura Tiu in Okaloosa County in 2015. Stephens was observing Dr. Tiu’s project on flood monitors when she was recommended to apply for the County Extension Director position and support 4-H programs. Now she has transitioned from 4-H to be the Florida Sea Grant Extension Agent, where she is committed to advancing Sea Grant’s mission, strengthening community outreach, and addressing county-level needs.
“There’s a real need in Okaloosa County to evaluate what it means to be prepared for future challenges,” Stephens says. “How do we take action, plan effectively, and implement preparedness measures that can make a meaningful difference?”
Though early in her career with Florida Sea Grant, Dr. Stephens is focused on tailoring her programming to address key community issues, including water quality, education, and community resilience, particularly in storm preparedness. Her plans for county programming include tackling flood challenges in low-lying and erosion-prone areas, and advancing oyster restoration efforts.
“It’s been a welcoming and exciting journey returning to Extension,” says Stephens. “I love being part of the changes happening in Extension to better serve communities. I’ve always admired the work of Florida Sea Grant and have also been inspired by the Great Lakes Sea Grant program from my earlier experiences.”
In the past, Okaloosa County was served by a multi-county Sea Grant agent. In 2022, that agent moved into an extension director role in a different county, and Okaloosa was left without an extension agent to cover marine and coastal habitats, including its rare coastal dune lakes.
“Dr. Stephens brings with her a very strong background in water quality. She is very enthusiastic about filling the existing educational gaps and will play an important role in meeting the county, UF/IFAS Extension, and Florida Sea Grant’s strategic goals. Florida Sea Grant is very excited to have added Dr. Stephens to our team!,” says Dr. Maia McGuire, Florida Sea Grant Associate Director for Extension and Education.
