Jackie is a sophomore at Shippensburg University of PA pursuing a degree in Ecology and Environmental Biology with a GIS minor.

Jackie first attended the PA Bucktails field school as a student in 2009 and has been active with the program ever since attending the Pennsylvania Drummers field school, serving as an Assistant Team Leader, and being a part of the Academy Support Team the past two years. She has written numerous articles about her Academy experience for the PA Game News, the Ruffed Grouse Society’s national magazine, and the PA Outdoor Writers Newsletter as well as in her local newspapers. She is an avid outdoors-women and conservationist.  When she isn’t at school or work, she enjoys hunting, fishing, hiking, and watching sports.

What Jackie has to say about Wildlife Leadership Academy:

The Academy transformed me into a conservation leader by equipping me with the confidence and skills necessary to engage the public. When I attended my first field school as a student, I was shy and fearful of public speaking. But, by the end of the week, I became so passionate about what I learned that I gained an overwhelming motivation to spread the conservation message. Because I excelled in my outreach, I returned to field school as an Assistant Team Leader and Apprentice. I continue to attend field schools because I want to help provide new students with the same life-changing experience that I had. Additionally, the program introduced me to an array of wildlife professionals with whom I volunteer. These volunteer experiences helped to verify my career goal of becoming a wildlife biologist.