Environmental co-op at Cinti Zoo resulted from partnerships between College and City of Cincinnati

Academics, Co-op, Community, Success Stories

Aug 4, 2026

Peyton Majerski on the job at the Cincinnati Zoo, examining maps of the Zoo's infrastructure on her computer

Peyton Majerski, a graduate of Cincinnati State’s Environmental Engineering Technology (EVT) program, recently completed a cooperative education (co-op) assignment at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden made possible through funding from the City of Cincinnati’s Office of Environment and Sustainability Seeds of Change grant program.

The Seeds of Change grant program supports workforce development initiatives designed to connect students with green career pathways. In addition to supporting co-op opportunities for students like Peyton, another grant from the Seeds of Change program helped support Cincinnati State’s annual Environmental Day for high school students, which introduces future college students to environmental education and career opportunities in sustainability.

EVT Co-op Coordinator Jennifer Geiger, Peyton Majerski, and Arriane Smith

At the Zoo, Peyton played a key role in maintaining the ArcGIS Pipeline Management System, helping to map and manage critical water, gas, and electrical infrastructure. She also assisted with water quality monitoring and biological systems testing, contributing to the Zoo’s ongoing sustainability and environmental stewardship efforts.

Arriane Smith, the Zoo’s Water Programs Manager, recognized Peyton as an integral part of the work force. “The GIS mapping work Peyton helped lead is incredibly important to the Zoo’s long-term operations,” Smith said.

“Because the Zoo’s campus is constantly growing and changing, maintaining accurate infrastructure records requires ongoing attention and technical expertise. Peyton’s work will continue to support planning, maintenance, and future improvements across the Zoo for years to come.”

The City’s Office of Environment and Sustainability noted in its newsletter that Peyton’s success is an example of strong partnerships between Cincinnati State and community organizations like the Cincinnati Zoo. These partnerships provide students with opportunities to gain hands-on experience, mentorship, and professional development, and also help build a skilled workforce in Cincinnati that is ready to address environmental challenges in real time.

(Reporting and photos used with permission of the City of Cincinnati Office of Environment and Sustainability)