Meet Our Staff

Shannon Hatmaker is proud to claim Chattanooga, Tennessee as her hometown.  Growing up in such a unique city contributed to her passion for science, conservation, and outdoor education.  While studying Biology at Clemson University in South Carolina, Shannon had the opportunity to travel abroad to both Peru and India to study tropical ecology and tiger conservation, respectively.  She also spent a semester in Kruger National Park, South Africa with the Organization for Tropical Studies, which cemented her love for savannah ecology and African culture.

After graduation, Shannon worked as a botanical field assistant with the Student Conservation Association, an experience that allowed her to spend countless nights under the skies of Montana, Washington, and California.  Eager to learn more about scientific research, she returned to school and received a Master’s in Environmental Science from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.  For her master’s thesis, Shannon studied the impact of invasive plants on bird populations in Tennessee.  However, one of her most valuable experiences as a graduate student was a semester abroad in Tanzania volunteering with Roots & Shoots, the educational branch of the Jane Goodall Institute. 

Shannon currently serves as an AmeriCorps member in Nashville, Tennessee, where she is honored to help improve the quality of life for impoverished senior citizens.  Some of Shannon’s other interests include bird watching, identifying plants, wildlife rehabilitation, nature documentaries, bocce ball, and Ethiopian food.  She is incredibly excited to join the Global Explorers team this year and cannot wait to share many African adventures with students!