Dalton State grad from Ringgold lands job at Tennessee Aquarium
MacKenzie Mathis, of Ringgold, who graduated from Dalton in fall of 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in biology, now works at the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, Tenn., where she cares for nearly 200 reptiles and amphibians.
“People don’t give reptiles enough credit,” she said. “They’re smart and have their own personalities. I knew from a young age I was going to go into biology. Reptiles stole my heart.”
Mathis has worked as an intern for the aquarium for approximately a year and has been an animal care specialist there for a few months. In addition to being responsible for the general care of reptiles and amphibians, Mathis leads educational programs for aquarium visitors.
“I love caring for animals. I think conservation efforts and public education are important. So many people don’t know about animals locally or internationally, and our exhibits educate people on both, as well as human impact on the environment.”
Chris Manis, parttime instructor in natural sciences and research associate at Dalton State, helped Mathis secure her internship at the aquarium. He oversees the college’s Turtle Assurance Colony and helps with the Lakeshore wetland data collection. Mathis worked on both projects.
“Once MacKenzie learned how to do something you didn’t have to tell her again,” he said. “We never had to double check her work. She found her passion. We watched it grow. Even after she graduated she came back to help us with the turtle data at Lakeshore. When she graduated, I emailed a friend of mine and told him how good she was and if they had an opening they should consider her”
With the Turtle Assurance Colony, Mathis learned how to care for several different species of endangered turtles. There is some overlap between the species at the college and those at the aquarium, as both are part of the Turtle Survival Alliance, geared toward saving species from extinction by encouraging reproduction.
Though Mathis left her original dream of marine biology for freshwater turtles, part of her job requires she care for two rescued green sea turtles. One turtle was hit by a boat before going to live at the aquarium. It is missing parts of the back of its body, including its tail. Each turtle knows where to go to be fed because of different taps on the side of the tank with a pole.
At the Delta exhibit Mathis gives a short presentation and answer questions about the animals living there. She talks about the many species of turtles, as well as some of the birds in that exhibit.
In another exhibit, there is a large alligator snapping turtle that fathered several alligator snapping turtles a few years prior, and its babies are under Mathis’ care. She knows the species well, and enjoys caring for them. These turtles have what looks like lures in their mouths that wiggle to attract prey.
She cares for a chameleon. There are snakes in enclosures stacked in her office, each with a different temperament.
“I eventually want to continue my formal education,” Mathis said. “But right now I’m where I belong. It’s great to work here. It is truly a dream job. I love that the professors at Dalton State work so one on one with you. I’m thankful for my relationship with them.”