West Liberty, W. Va., July 22, 2024 – West Liberty University (WLU), in collaboration with Oglebay’s Good Zoo, was recently awarded a $258,200 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) prestigious 21st Century Museum Professionals Program (21MP) to support professional development for students in its nationally recognized Zoo Science program.
By removing financial barriers, the award will enable WLU to enhance its Zoo Science major by compensating students and recent graduates as they gain job experience via traditionally unpaid internships.
In partnership with the Oglebay Good Zoo, West Liberty University will conduct three annual virtual workshops introducing academic, career, and financial aid opportunities to regional high schools and their students. The project will also create application guidelines and curricula to support paid stipends annually for six undergraduate students to intern at zoos, five undergraduate students to participate in animal husbandry or conservation fellowships, and four post-graduate apprenticeships at the Oglebay Good Zoo. Locally, the Wetzel Family Travel Scholarship is providing a matching $10,000 for paid stipends.
WLU Assistant Professor of Biology Dr. Diana Barber explains the far-reaching impact of this grant in terms of cultivating professionals in the zoo, aquarium, and conservation fields.
“Most zoos require previous zoo work experience to obtain a position,” Barber notes. “Along with removing financial barriers, this program will greatly benefit our Zoo Science students by opening the door for professional opportunities to gain this critical experience,” she adds. Barber continues, “this opportunity is especially beneficial for first generation students and helps fill the challenging socioeconomics gaps in the communities we are serving.”
West Liberty University and Oglebay’s Good Zoo are one of only eight recipients of the award nationwide. The Good Zoo is only the fourth zoo to receive this prestigious grant over the past 20 years, joining the ranks of the Phoenix Zoo, Bronx Zoo, and Brookfield Zoo. It is also the single largest funding award for West Liberty’s Zoo Science program to date.
“The partnership between West Liberty University and Oglebay’s Good Zoo enables students enrolled in the Zoo Science and Applied Conservation major to engage in a very unique educational experience. The curriculum provides opportunities for experiential learning with the living animal collection on the WLU campus and with animals at the Good Zoo to help students gain valuable skills as they enter the workforce. This funding will provide students with expanded opportunities and hopefully encourage others to enter the field of animal husbandry and conservation,” said Dr. Karen Kettler, West Liberty University Dean of College of Sciences.
Dr. Joe Greathouse, Oglebay Good Zoo director, remarked, “This exciting funding opportunity enables us to continue a long history of Oglebay contributing to the development of future zoo professionals. We look forward to the opportunity of removing financial barriers from applicants to this program by providing paid experiential opportunities and on-site housing to make entry-level zoo careers accessible to our future colleagues.”
Launched in 2016, West Liberty University’s accredited Zoo Science Program prepares students for rewarding and fulfilling careers as animal trainers, exotic animal caretakers and conservation biologists with an emphasis on biology and vocational, on-site training. Along with an undergraduate degree, WLU currently offers the only Zoo Science Master’s Program in the United States and holds partnerships with multiple Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) conservation groups across the country.
West Liberty University blends a small-town environment with a comprehensive college experience, fostering students’ aspirations through hands-on learning, personalized support, and unique academic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Learn more at westliberty.edu
About Oglebay Good Zoo – Oglebay Good Zoo is the only institution in West Virginia that is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The Good Zoo provides conservation education programming to over 13,000 students annually and participates in AZA breeding programs for over 20 rare or endangered species. The Good Zoo also collaborates with the West Virginia Division of Wildlife to conduct conservation research associated with the rare Eastern hellbender salamander and to rehabilitate nearly 50 ill or injured wild eagles, hawks and owls in the Upper Ohio River Valley annually. Learn more at oglebay.com/good-zoo.
About the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) – The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s libraries and museums. We advance, support, and empower America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. IMLS envisions a nation where individuals and communities have access to museums and libraries to learn from and be inspired by the trusted information, ideas, and stories they contain about our diverse natural and cultural heritage. To learn more, visit imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.