UNF alumna turns love of wildlife into career at Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens

From sun-soaked days on the St. Johns River to global conservation partnerships, Shannon McNeil's journey began at the University of North Florida and continues to make an impact far beyond campus.

A 2023 graduate, McNeil credits UNF with helping her turn a lifelong love of Florida's waterways and wildlife into a meaningful career. As a Coastal Environmental Science student, she found both academic challenge and a sense of belonging.

"I wanted to go to UNF because I love the nature preserve that was around it. Gorgeous trees, lakes and wildlife. It couldn't get much better than that," McNeil shared. "Aside from that, they had a great program, and I was incredibly happy with it the entire time."

That environment shaped her experience inside and outside the classroom. Growing up in Florida, McNeil knew she wanted to study the water that surrounds the state. What she did not know was how clearly UNF would show her the path toward protecting it.

Mentorship played a defining role in her journey. Faculty members like Dr. Quincy Gibson, associate professor of biology at UNF, helped guide her academic growth while offering insight into future careers. Their classrooms emphasized hands-on learning and real-world applications.

Experiential learning was central to McNeil's UNF experience. Through summer field courses, McNeil tracked alligators and studied bottlenose dolphins in the St. Johns River. These immersive opportunities confirmed her passion and strengthened the skills she would later bring into her career.

McNeil discovered the conservation field through UNF's Environmental Leadership Program, which exposed her to career possibilities she had not previously considered. That program also connected her with the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens, where she completed a student project focused on invasive species. After graduation, that connection led to a full-time role in the zoo's conservation department.

Dr. Gibson recalls McNeil's impact clearly.

"She was an extremely bright and highly motivated student," Gibson said. "She is clearly passionate about animal conservation and willing to work hard to make a difference. The Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens is very lucky to have her on its team."

Today, McNeil works with more than 45 conservation partners locally and globally. She collaborates with education teams, supports conservation initiatives, and helps staff turn ideas into action. She is also mentoring a current UNF student through the same leadership program that helped launch her own career.