Originally from the United States and now based in Otterberg, Germany, Sydney’s choice to study Zoo Management at University Centre Reaseheath (UCR) was an easy one.
The 23-year-old, who graduated at Chester Cathedral on Wednesday, November 6th, explains: “A degree in Zoo Management isn’t something you can get in the USA! I went into the degree specifically with the conservation education module in mind.
“I also loved the idea of having a mini zoo on campus that I could gain experience in.”
During her time at UCR, Sydney partnered with Knowsley Safari for her dissertation, evaluating its ‘Intrepid Explorers’ educational programme, which aims to teach young children about endangered species and environmental protection.
Sydney’s research assessed the programme’s effectiveness in expanding children’s conservation knowledge and highlighted areas for improvement.
“Throughout my studies, I became more interested in how educational programmes influence people’s attitudes towards wildlife and conservation, especially during Earth’s sixth mass extinction,” she explains.
Her findings revealed that while the children were already passionate about wildlife, the programme could be made even more impactful by focusing on fewer topics in greater depth.
The project also demonstrated Sydney’s professionalism and diligence, leading to her nomination by her dissertation supervisor, Sarah Armstrong, for one of UCR’s prestigious Dean’s Awards – the Meredydd David Award for Academic and Technical Excellence. Sarah described Sydney as “an incredibly motivated student who always engaged and participated, giving her best in every assessment and helping her peers along the way.
“Sydney achieved an amazing grade overall, gave her best in every assessment and worked well with her peers, helping those who may not have understood some concepts as she did.”
The Knowsley project brought Sydney to the British Conference of Undergraduate Research (BCUR), where she presented her findings to a multidisciplinary audience.
“Breaking down my ideas to communicate with people from other fields was an invaluable experience,” she says. “It helped me see how conservation education could branch into areas like sustainable tourism. Being selected to present also made me feel like I had truly succeeded, and it showed me I have the potential to make a real difference in the world.”
For Sydney, who grew up in Baumholder, Germany, and graduated from Baumholder Middle High School, her journey has always been marked by resilience and determination.
Navigating the academic standards of the British system required adaptability, but she thrived. Sydney even took it upon herself to support her classmates, sharing knowledge and building a collaborative learning environment.
“Learning should be collaborative,” she reflects. “Debating and discussing different perspectives deepened our understanding and created a community that will serve us well in future jobs.”
Receiving the Meredydd David Award, Sydney says, has given her a boost of confidence and further motivation.
“This award affirms the dedication I’ve put into my projects over the past three years and motivates me to continue making a meaningful impact on how people view the importance of conservation,” she says.
Sydney is currently working as a Child and Youth Programme Assistant on a military base in Germany, where she designs conservation-based lesson plans for young children. She hopes to further her studies in the coming years, with a plan to complete a master’s degree in conservation education or animal behaviour, and ultimately work in a zoo’s education department.
Reflecting on the path ahead, Sydney credits UCR’s supportive environment and especially Sarah. “Without Sarah’s guidance, my dissertation wouldn’t have come to life. Her support, along with the whole administration team, has been invaluable,” she says.
Her advice for future students? “Stay open to new perspectives and learning opportunities,” she says. “Zoo Management is a cross-disciplinary field that requires you to step outside your comfort zone. Embrace it and find a balance that lets you enjoy the work.” Sarah added: “Sydney has a clear path she has set herself and I believe she will do incredibly well in her career with the drive she has to achieve this.”
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