BALTIMORE, MD – Maryland Zoo is spotlighting its Mary Wilson Scholars as they prepare to wrap up their summer service. The three students are part of a program to grow the number of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in the zoo field.
This paid, five week internship is named for the Zoo’s first Black woman zookeeper. It provides college students with valuable hands-on learning and research experience and is supported through the generosity of T. Rowe Price and Verizon.
The Zoo welcomed the first Mary Wilson Scholar in 2022 and has plans to continue adding to the program each year. This year’s three Scholars are: Cameron Jones, Krystal Moore-Nicks, and Chandler Nelson.
Two of the Scholars, Jones and Moore-Nicks, are looking to build upon their experience with marine mammals by working with other species while Nelson, who has day-to-day experience caring for animals, hopes to better understand animal behavior and cognition and the way that enrichment activities can improve overall animal wellbeing. All three are currently enrolled at colleges in Maryland and South Carolina.
“People of color are underrepresented nationally in fields like zoology and conservation, and one of the barriers to entry is unpaid internships, which exclude people from less privileged communities,” said Maryland Zoo President & CEO, Kirby Fowler. “With generous support from T. Rowe Price and Verizon, we’ve been able to increase the number of scholars and provide a meaningful summer income for the recipients.”
“At T. Rowe Price, we pride ourselves on making an impact far beyond our walls, supporting positive change in the communities where we live and work. The Mary Wilson Scholarship is a prime example of how organizations can come together to expand opportunities and access for all to advance growth and learning. Congratulations to this year’s scholars,” said Raymone Jackson, head of Community Investment and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
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