Red hair blowing in the crisp December wind, Crissi Lanier accepted her diploma granting her a bachelor of science degree from Mount Saint Joseph University in the winter of 2002.
Red hair blowing in the crisp December wind, Crissi Lanier accepted her diploma granting her a bachelor of science degree from Mount Saint Joseph University in the winter of 2002. The next month, she accepted a position at the Mount’s daycare center as a full-time teacher, continuing her employment past the four years she had worked there as a student.
“I used to volunteer at a local daycare before I graduated high school and loved my time with those kids, especially reading to them and snuggling with them at nap. It was natural for me to continue that when I started at MSJ,” Lanier says.
Deciding to stay at the Mount after graduation afforded Lanier many opportunities for growth, but she knew that in order to follow her dreams of working with animals, she had to take on a new journey. In May of 2021, Lanier decided to take the leap and a year later, she accepted a position as the educational registration coordinator at the Cincinnati Zoo. The mission of Mount Saint Joseph clearly states that community members welcome, “excellence in academic endeavors, the integration of life and learning, respect and concern for all persons, diversity of cultures, and beliefs, and service to others.” Lanier has embraced all of these values and continues to live out the Mount’s vocational call to become an impactful and loving member of the community.
Taking a walk through the rainforest today, you can encounter Lanier behind the main desk handling her many daily responsibilities: keeping an eye on the educational building, answering calls and emails about programs, and helping organize and run a multitude of events. Despite her abundance of duties, Lanier will greet you with a bright smile and help you in any way she can.
“Customer service is so important. I help when I can, tell them when I don’t know, and work to find out the answers. We have guests of all ages, backgrounds, languages, and more, and some want to talk, some want to share stories, and some just want to release their frustrations.” Lanier connects this back to the Mount saying, “This is similar to dealing with parents at the center--they were coming from various states of mind and life, and their approach to us as teachers depended on their days and stresses. I tried to meet them all where they were and talk with them in whatever way was best for that unique person.”
This year, the Cincinnati Zoo not only celebrates its 150th anniversary of opening their gates but also the 50th anniversary of the zoo’s education department and their zoo academy. Since its founding, the educational program at the Cincinnati Zoo has expanded to include a mirage of programs. The zoo’s website states that all aim to “teach about wildlife, conservation, and animal care while fostering a love for nature and inspiring a love for nature and inspiring action for conservation.”
Lanier expresses a love for a particular program, the Zoo Troop, which is a once-a-week four weeklong program for anyone from 18 months to 8th grade, where children work with staff instructors and volunteers to learn about a variety of skills, including wonder, exploration, knowledge, and leadership.
As exams come to a close and the warmer months draw closer, Lanier welcomes you to take a trip to the Cincinnati Zoo, and help celebrate an amazing 150 years of dedication and love. She recommends the History and Hijinks tours led by former keepers and curators (coming new this summer!) to learn more about the zoo, as well as state and even some world history. She is also excited for the finishing of the new Elephant Trek, Siamang Point, and the growth of our cheetah cubs. If you have time, stop by the educational center and say hello to her, and make sure to save a wave for her favorite animal, Moe, the two-toed sloth.