Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Additional Expertise
Affiliations
Languages
Websites
References
Timeline
Generic

Cindy Spiva-Evans

San Diego

Summary

Dynamic education professional with a proven track record at San Diego Zoo, excelling in project management and employee training. Spearheaded innovative augmented reality learning experiences and led an Accessibility Working Group, enhancing engagement and inclusion. Passionate about fostering team collaboration and creating impactful educational programs for diverse audiences.

Overview

24
24
years of professional experience

Work History

Adjunct Faculty

John Hopkins University
Baltimore
10.2014 - 02.2018
  • Created a series of two-week, on site courses for Johns Hopkins Museum Studies master’s students visiting for an immersive learning experience in Balboa Park
  • Partnered with representatives from museums and cultural institutions throughout the Park and covered topics including technology, collections management, archives, preservation, and disasters
  • In partnership with Cuseum, students developed museum-specific apps to increase engagement with museum visitors
  • Particular focus on Access to older institutions for guests and employees with disabilities

Manager, Balboa Park Learning Institute

Balboa Park Cultural Partnership
San Diego
11.2015 - 08.2016
  • Wrote and created online content for website, newsletters, and flyers
  • Created online courses for BPLI's Learning Management System (LMS), designed for museum professionals.
  • Offered in-person staff and regional trainings for 100% of the cultural institutions within Balboa Park
  • Founded and lead an Accessibility Working Group for Balboa Park and its institutions and organizations
  • Cross-trained existing employees to maximize team agility and performance
  • Established and updated work schedules to account for changing staff levels and expected workloads

Pathology Technician

San Diego Zoo
San Diego
11.2004 - 11.2015
  • Substituted into the department covering medium- and long-term leaves by current employees.
  • Supported pathologists by performing post-mortem exams and preparing tissues for analysis
  • Worked with pathologists to isolate abnormalities and narrow down likely diagnoses.
  • Collected and prepared tissues for histological procedures, laboratory analysis, other research organizations and museums

Education Technology Specialist

San Diego Zoo
San Diego
01.2014 - 11.2015
  • Created and developed 6 location-based augmented reality (AR) games and supported a summer camp based on these games for the San Diego Zoo
  • Led the development, testing, and revision of game-based learning experiences using smartphone location-based augmented reality technology (TaleBlazer) out of MIT
  • Collaborated with designers and artists on all game art & graphics
  • Maintained the schedule of the project ensuring all deadlines were met
  • Developed curriculum, set up and trouble shooting for a computer lab, created the demonstration game and ran the summer camp for 6th and 7th grade game developers
  • This temporary position was funded through a National Science Foundation grant. Ensured that grant leaders at MIT and Missouri Botanical Garden receive all analysis that the grant specifies.

Science & Creative Content Writer

San Diego Zoo Global
San Diego
06.2002 - 11.2015
  • Produced scientific and creative content for digital, social, and traditional media
  • Wrote online curriculum and training programs, blogs, and website content

Lead & Supervisor, Education & Public Programs

San Diego Zoo
San Diego
06.2002 - 12.2013
  • Managed a team of 40+ individuals in a busy, non-stop, noisy, and fun environment
  • Oversaw daily, weekly, and long term scheduling
  • Educated and interpreted for a variety of groups (school, tour, VIP, convention, donor, members) both on and off Zoo grounds through a variety of programs and events
  • Created and implemented training programs
  • Wrote new programs and curriculum
  • Additional involvement:
  • ADA Advisory Committee
  • LYNX committee (3 years), helping to develop and implement SDZG's strategic plan

Program Manager

Exploring New Horizons Outdoor School
Loma Mar
01.2000 - 01.2001

Secondary Math and Science Teacher

Burr & Burton Academy
Manchester
09.1997 - 08.2000

Naturalist

Foothill Horizons, Stanislaus County Office of Education
Sonora
01.1994 - 06.1997

Education

Master of Science - Wildlife Biology, Parasitic Disease

Humboldt State University
Arcata, CA
05.1993

Bachelor of Arts - Communication, Writing & Print Media

Biola University
La Mirada, CA
05.1990

Certificate - Social Media Management & Marketing

Cornell University
Ithaca, NY
2014

Biomimicry for Educators Training (BET) course -

Biomimicry Institute
Bozeman, MT
2012

Biomimicry & Design Course - Innovation Inspired By Nature

The Biomimicry Institute
Bozeman, MT
2011

Skills

  • Employee Training & Engagement
  • Staff Management & Team Building
  • Project Management
  • Facilitation
  • External Communication & Messaging
  • Customer Management
  • Employee Work Scheduling
  • Inclusion, Accommodation, Accessibility, ADA

Additional Expertise

Coffee drinker. Prototyper. Chicken coop builder. Chicken soup maker. Bee keeper and urban gardener. Access, inclusion, and ADA law expert. Copy editor and translator. Long Trail hiker. Voter.

Affiliations

Coffee drinker. Prototyper. Chicken

coop builder. Chicken soup maker. Bee

keeper and urban gardener. Access,

inclusion, and ADA law expert. Copy

editor and translator. Long Trail hiker.

Voter.

Languages

French
Professional
German
Limited

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Manager, Balboa Park Learning Institute

Balboa Park Cultural Partnership
11.2015 - 08.2016

Adjunct Faculty

John Hopkins University
10.2014 - 02.2018

Education Technology Specialist

San Diego Zoo
01.2014 - 11.2015

Pathology Technician

San Diego Zoo
11.2004 - 11.2015

Science & Creative Content Writer

San Diego Zoo Global
06.2002 - 11.2015

Lead & Supervisor, Education & Public Programs

San Diego Zoo
06.2002 - 12.2013

Program Manager

Exploring New Horizons Outdoor School
01.2000 - 01.2001

Secondary Math and Science Teacher

Burr & Burton Academy
09.1997 - 08.2000

Naturalist

Foothill Horizons, Stanislaus County Office of Education
01.1994 - 06.1997

Master of Science - Wildlife Biology, Parasitic Disease

Humboldt State University

Bachelor of Arts - Communication, Writing & Print Media

Biola University

Certificate - Social Media Management & Marketing

Cornell University

Biomimicry for Educators Training (BET) course -

Biomimicry Institute

Biomimicry & Design Course - Innovation Inspired By Nature

The Biomimicry Institute

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