Susan Zwerling Email & Phone Number

Washington, Dc, Us

I oversee a cooperative NPS Community Outreach program, and support AAM learning and professional development initiatives. Stay tuned for updates as we implement our new strategic plan and our $1 million investment in the museum community!

Arlington, Va

Recent special projects include:* Three Volunteer Voices Podcasts with the American Association for Museum Volunteers* Creation of the "Designing a Museum Volunteer Program Toolkit" for the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) * Creation of a 90 page AAM Museum Assessment Workbook (with activities) for Education & Interpretation* Robust content expansion for a 90 page AAM Museum Assessment Workbook (with activities) for Community & Audience Engagement* Creation & implementation of a marketing plan that doubled museum applications to the Museum Assessment Program (MAP) and led to the largest MAP cohort in the history of the program. My daily focus: I act as a "case manager" for museums and peer reviewers going through the Museum Assessment Program process. This involves reviewing applications for eligibility, matching peer reviewers to museums, coaching and training, providing resources for organizational development and maintaining records throughout the process. I’ve designed survey tools to evaluate the impact of our program and the effectiveness of our learning management system. Verification of core documents (a prerequisite to applying for accreditation) for museums is another key aspect of my job. I interact with museum staff and stakeholders, peer reviewers and IMLS staff as well as across internal AAM departments. I also present and chair panels at museum conferences, primarily about museum assessment programs and about opportunities to become a peer reviewer. Recent presentations have been at the AAM Annual Meeting, the Mountain Plains Regional Conference and the Texas Association of Museums Annual Conference.

Projects Include: Summative evaluation of visiting museum science exhibit with formal report that resulted in changes in future museum exhibit rentals (methods included visitor interviews, observation with behavioral mapping and timing and tracking study). Formative evaluation of an ongoing museum family program (behavioral mapping, visitor interviews, staff interaction tracking, and visitor response cards).Additional Projects: Development and delivery of teacher professional development workshops; researching, writing and submitting successful grants, editing of art history papers submitted for publication, and planning, organizing and executing community events. Supervising interns and volunteers, training new museum staff, exhibit research, presenting interpretive tours, Power Point presentations to the community, researching and creating statistical reports, researching and responding to questions from the public, and accessioning objects.

Mcallen, Texas

My responsibilities included direct management of 9 employees and about 35 interns and volunteers, and overseeing the development and delivery of object-based, multi-disciplinary programs and services which resulting in growth in all areas: guided tours (9,000 students yearly), interactive outreaches (4,000 students), innovative summer camps (770 students), and more. My most satisfying accomplishments, however, include improving departmental motivation, culture, and outcomes through a shared vision and strong teamwork. Planning retreats, professional development, coaching and a culture of self assessment were very successful.Nurturing and and expanding community alliances was another key area of focus. Budgets, strategic plans, evaluation of staff and programming, business plan and grants were other areas of responsibility.

Mcallen, Texas Area

Developed engaging art and science curriculum for teacher trainings, K-12 student programs, outreaches with curriculum kits, special interest groups, and life long learners. Presented interpretive tours and activities, added new programming for craft classes, Art Hour lectures, Girl Scout events, day-long museum events for the general public, and art gallery scavenger hunts for families. Designed presentations for the IMAS Science on a Sphere Digital Theatre. Researched new educational technologies for future purchase. Co-wrote and received grants. Supervised volunteers, interns and weekend staff and assisted at museum fundraising events.

Mcallen, Texas Area

Presented interpretive tours of exhibits and galleries in an art and science museum to audiences ranging from pre-K to senior adults. Staffed the Science Lab and the Art Studio, interacting with visitors and setting up experiments and activities. Researched talking points for new exhibits as well as researching and designing interactive science activities. Presented outreach programs to the community and assisted at museum fundraising events.

Master’S Degree, Museology/Museum Studies

Master’S Degree, Management