Regina Mission, Visitor Engagement Assistant

My work at the Arboretum focuses on welcoming visitors and helping them plan specialized itineraries that meet their needs and interests. One of my goals is to help both children and adults become excited about plants as they change throughout the seasons. I enjoy sharing information about the history of the Arboretum and its wonderful collections. Another facet of my work at the Visitor Center is providing support for the docents, interpreters, and volunteers. I love exploring the Arboretum and taking photographs of seasonal highlights for Arnold Arboretum Explorer, Visitor Center monitors, Flickr, and our Plant Image Database to serve as resources for visitors. Creating and sharing such resources broadens my own understanding of the Arboretum while offering a richer experience in the landscape for the public.

I enjoy all aspects of working at the Visitor Center, including family activities, family walks, and especially creating new interpretive exhibits and educational displays to engage visitors and elicit curiosity and dialogue. One of my two Master’s degrees is in Science Education with a focus on inquiry-based science, which encourages learners to ask questions that help them experience and understand the environment in new ways. My teaching philosophy emphasizes the “outdoors-as-classroom” approach. I am currently pursuing courses in museum studies at Harvard University Extension School.