York College Alumna Katie Govern Marks 25 Years Working at ZooAmerica
When visitors wander through the Great Southwest building at the wildlife park in Hershey, they’re witnessing the decades-long passion of the 2007 graduate.
York College of Pennsylvania Biology alumna Katie Govern ’07 was never a big fan of the sciences in high school. English came to her much easier than ecology. Then, at the age of 15, she took a job at ZooAmerica in Hershey, and the North American-focused wildlife park ignited her passion for understanding animals and ecosystems.
However, she learned that to make a career of working at the zoo, she would need a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology.
“Once I discovered ZooAmerica and realized I would need the degree, something shifted in my mind,” she says.
‘Completely worth it’
After touring York College and visiting the Biology Department, Govern was sold on the school. She loved the small class sizes, the welcoming faculty, the high-tech labs, and the focus on hands-on learning opportunities. She was also excited that she could minor in Professional Writing.
Her academic path wasn’t always easy. Her initial biology and chemistry classes challenged her and stretched her capabilities as they prepared her for upper-level animal-focused classes. By the time she reached her junior year, Govern had found her niche. The academic process helped prepare her for her dream career.
“Science is all-important if you want to work with animals. You need to learn it, and once you get through the basics, there are classes that will fit your passions,” she says. “As much as I struggled, it was completely worth it.”
A 25-year commitment
Before she even earned her bachelor’s degree, Govern received an offer for a full-time position at ZooAmerica. Now, 25 years after starting as a part-time employee, Govern continues to work with animals every day, including the last 18 years as a Zoo Supervisor. In her role, Govern oversees the Great Southwest area, caring for mammals, birds, and reptiles while guiding programs in animal wellbeing, breeding, and social media storytelling.
“Every day is different. What I did in 2007 when I graduated is so vastly different from what I do today,” she says. “I’ve seen a huge shift in my time as far as conservation now being the priority.”
Conservation on the global stage
Govern plays a national and international role in conservation through the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. Her expertise has taken her as far as Scotland, where she attended a conference about aligning zoo and aquarium programs across continents. That commitment to collaboration is one of her favorite parts of the job.
“One of the best things about zoos is, with other businesses you’re competing; with a zoo, you’re so collaborative,” she says. “You’ll never meet a zookeeper who doesn’t want to share every part of their job. Everyone is there for the best interest of the animals.”
Govern still finds ways to weave her love of writing into her science-heavy career. Fourteen years ago, she helped launch ZooAmerica’s Facebook page to bring audiences closer to the animals in her care. Her goal was to connect visitors with each of the animals, not just as specimens of their species, but as individual creatures, and to clear up common misconceptions about zoos.
‘A wild ride’
Govern remains connected to York College, collaborating on projects such as barn owl studies with Biology faculty members and encouraging students interested in zoology to gain hands-on experience.
“Any experience with animals is a good experience,” she says to those interested in a career such as hers. “Clean kennels at a vet office or work at a pet store, and read everything you can to learn as much as possible about the species you’re interested in. Be open to new perspectives. This field is changing so much.”
As she celebrates 25 years at ZooAmerica, Govern looks forward to many more wildlife experiences.
“I always felt that this was my path, that I would be here a long time because of the people and animals and the overall vibe of the place,” she says. “I’m right where I expected and wanted to be. Being able to continue and progress with animal goals has been very meaningful. It’s been a wild ride.”
