Ohio Valley Zoo Awarded 21st Century Museum Professionals Program Grant

WHEELING, W.Va. — The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) announced that Oglebay’s Good Zoo, in collaboration with West Liberty University, is among the eight recipients of the esteemed 21 ^st Century Museum Professionals Program (21MP) grant.

According to IMLS officials, each awarded institution will receive up to $500,000 for projects aimed at providing professional development to the museum workforce, training and recruiting future museum professionals, and sharing effective practices in education and training.

With this grant, IMLS officials say, Oglebay Good Zoo will develop a paid experiential development program to eliminate affordability barriers for aspiring zoo professionals seeking practical work experience.

Partnering with West Liberty University, the zoo will conduct three annual virtual workshops to introduce regional high school guidance counselors and their students to academic, career, and financial aid opportunities.

Additionally, IMLS officials say, the project will establish application guidelines and curricula to support annual paid stipends for six undergraduate students interning at zoos nationwide, five undergraduate students participating in animal husbandry or conservation fellowships, and for six post-graduate apprenticeships at the Oglebay Good Zoo.

IMLS officials say this initiative aims to expose students to zoo, academic, and career opportunities, while alleviating financial barriers to gaining the necessary work experience for entry-level positions in the zoo, aquarium, or conservation fields.

“The partnership between West Liberty University and Oglebay 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”

IMLS officials say over the past 20 years, Oglebay Good Zoo is only the fourth zoo to receive this prestigious grant, joining the ranks of the Phoenix Zoo, Bronx Zoo and Brookfield Zoo.

“This grant award, along with our recent success in the hellbender conservation effort, serves as an incredible reminder to our community of the zoo’s far-reaching impact,” said Wheeling Park Commission President & CEO Bob Peckenpaugh. “While it remains a popular family destination in the state and a point of pride for Wheeling residents, the zoo also stands as a global leader in numerous conservation, research, and education areas,”

IMLS officials say the 21 MP program relaunched this year after a 12-year hiatus, following the IMLS Museum Leadership in Dynamic Times gathering, which brought together over 100 museum leaders to strategize around the needs of the museum field and the communities they serve.

“A robust, responsive workforce is the heart of America’s museums,” said IMLS Acting Director Cyndee Landrum. “Through the 21st Century Museum Professionals Program, we are investing in a vibrant and dynamic museum workforce at all levels to amplify our diverse history and culture, disseminate knowledge, and champion innovation in service to the public.”

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