Student Spotlight: Dominique Cox– Navigating Her Way into Marine Services Technology

Meet Dominique Cox, a passionate adventurer and lifelong learner who’s diving into the Marine Services Technology program at Prince William Sound College. She first discovered the program online while exploring the Marine Natural Resources Technician (MNRT) program, but something about the hands-on, mechanical side of Marine Services Technology instantly clicked.

Originally from Oregon, Dominique earned her associate degree in general studies and then took a gap year to embark on a cross-country adventure. She lived in Kansas, Kentucky, and along the East Coast, eventually landing in Maine, where she taught kids water skiing and drove water ski boats—a job that combined her love for boating with real-world experience on the water.

Dominique’s background spans river jet boats in Oregon and deckhand work on East Coast boats, giving her plenty of hands-on experience—but she wanted more mechanical knowledge. That’s where Marine Services Technology comes in.

Now in week six of the program, Dominique is thriving in the hands-on environment. “Yesterday, we got to work on a boat in the dry dock and literally tear a bunch of stuff apart,” she shared. “It’s the best way for me to learn. Lysette and Anthony are amazing teachers, and even though the classes are short, I’m learning so much.”

Looking ahead, Dominique is considering staying in Alaska after graduation. She plans to return to Oregon for a few months but has grown attached to the college, the town, and the friends she’s made. “I might come back for the Natural Resources Technician certificate as well,” she said. “I love everything about the college and the town—it’s been an incredible experience.”

Dominique’s story is a reminder that learning doesn’t just happen in a classroom—it happens on the water, on the road, and through hands-on experience, blending adventure with skill-building for a future full of possibilities.