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Virginia Aquarium’s Batten Fellowships: Where the Environment and Education Converge
Two VWU students are gaining valuable skills while empowering young environmental stewards.
University News | June 26, 2025
When Virginia Wesleyan students Amalia Houff and Madison Mellon are asked how they spent their summer vacation, they’ll have a unique response: working at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center in Virginia Beach as Guest Engagement/Watershed Warriors Batten Fellows.
“The Batten Fellowship is designed to develop fundamental engagement skills and develop and test strategies for delivering conservation messages in an informal learning environment,” said Karen Burn, Virginia Aquarium’s Guest Engagement Supervisor, who also oversees the Watershed Warrior program. “Amalia and Madison are playing important roles in engaging Aquarium guests, while making complex messages about protecting local natural areas and watersheds easy for everyone to understand.”
Burns explained that in their roles within the Guest Engagement section, the two Batten Fellows train, mentor, and coach Watershed Warrior program volunteers, who range in age from 14 to 18, to effectively engage guests at “Science on the Go” stations.
“Amalia and Madison will develop and implement their own educational station activities that highlight the importance of watersheds and inspire conservation actions,” Burns said. “Through this experience, they will gain skills in education, public engagement, and environmental science, while empowering the next generation of environmental stewards.”
Mellon ’27, a rising junior, is majoring in Earth and Environmental Science with a minor in Marine Science. “I have always loved the aquarium since I was young,” she said. “It is just an amazing place to work around animals as well as like-minded people that you can bounce ideas off of and create connections with.”
Houff ’25 will graduate in December as a Biology major, also with a minor in Marine Science. “I am incredibly passionate about the environment and conservation,” she said, “especially about marine life like the animals at the Aquarium.” She hopes to become an environmental researcher who bridges the gap between scientific knowledge and public understanding, “Working at the Aquarium,” Houff said, “is an incredible way to start on that career path.”
As for Mellon, one career option she’s considering is helping with coastal restoration research at a local foundation, similar to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation or Elizabeth River Project. “As long as I’m helping the natural world in some way,” she said, “I will be content with my career.”
Community leader and VWU trustee emerita Jane Batten funded the fellowships, which combine her longstanding philanthropic priorities of education and the environment.
“I would love for Mrs. Batten to know that this fellowship has given me the chance to grow as a scientist, educator, and leader,” Houff said, “while allowing me to give back to my community in a meaningful way. Her generosity has opened doors that I never could have imagined a year ago, and it has strengthened my commitment to making environmental education more accessible to everyone.”