Southwest Marine / Aquatic educators' association

SWMEA is a chapter of the National Marine Educators Association (NMEA), and consists of individuals and organizations found in California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado.  ​ 

Our mission is "to provide a forum for formal and informal educators to develop and exchange strategies to encourage learning and stewardship of marine and aquatic ecosystems."

Meet the SWMEA board

The SWMEA Board is voted by the membership and all board members serve for two year terms. If you are interested in a board position in the future, please check out the additional information about board positions in the SWMEA Members Only section.

​PRESIDENT

Joey Scott
Teacher Programs Supervisor
Monterey Bay Aquarium

NMEA CHAPTER REPRESENTATIVE

Alie LeBeau
Education Programs Manager
Aquarium of the Pacific 

TREASURER / MEMBERSHIP

Colleen Shipley
Education Manager
Downtown Aquarium 

PAST ​PRESIDENT

Lori Walsh
Education/Operations Supervisor
SEA LIFE Aquarium
LEGOLAND California Resort

Committee chairs | State Representatives

2018 Conference Chair
​Emily Yam
​Aquarium of the Pacific

Newsletter Editor
Steven Schenk
Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay

Website & Social Media
Raelene Child
Aquarium of the Pacific

California - Southern
Judith Coats
San Diego Zoo Global
​

​California - Central
Julie Bursek
Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary

California - Northern
Erin Blackwood
Romberg Tiburon Center for Environmental Studies
San Francisco State University

Arizona
Dean Frias
SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium

New Mexico

​

Nevada
Steven Schenk
Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay

Colorado
Colleen Shipley
Downtown Aquarium

Utah
Christian Burrell
Loveland Living Planet Aquarium