Focus on Outstanding Alumni
Johnny McPherson, International Visitors Leadership Program, 2009
Acting Manager, Solid Waste Resource Management, Nova Scotia Department of the Environment
Johnny McPherson's IVLP exchange in 2009 has had tremendous impacts on his personal and professional lives. One of the biggest opportunities that McPherson encountered was upon discovering the Science On a Sphere (SOS) exhibit at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. This fascinating technology is hosted in dozens of locations in thirteen different countries throughout the world. SOS is an interactive three-dimensional globe that can show weather patterns, ocean activity, and other natural occurrences. At the time of McPherson's visit, Canada did not yet have am SOS exhibit.
Fortunately, McPherson's IVLP exchange allowed him to travel to Boulder, Colorado, where he was introduced to the SOS developers and received a thorough demonstration of the SOS technology. Upon returning from his IVLP exchange, McPherson presented the technology to the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History, hoping that they would invest in the SOS as a teaching tool for Canadians. The museum was initially hesitant, but upon McPherson's encouragement, the Deputy Minister of Environment and several other delegates visited an SOS that was a feature of the 2009 Copenhagen Climate. In September 2011, the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History opened its own Science on a Sphere exhibit.
This tangible accomplishment of McPherson's IVLP exchange is not the only noteworthy outcome of his experience. McPherson is thankful for the network of alumni provided by his exchange because he believes that it provides "a perspective of diversity which is helpful for understanding diverse relationships and interests necessary for addressing environmental challenges." Through his IVLP peers and the IVLP Advisory Council, McPherson has become friends and colleagues with many Spanish-speakers and is now excited to learn this foreign language.
McPherson has been very active in the Alumni community since his return. Describing his involvement with State Alumni, McPherson explained, "I strive to have ongoing and meaningful interaction with the Advisory Council of alumni in the Americas; I attended alumni workshops in Ottawa and Halifax, sharing my perspectives and experiences in order to promote the benefits of being a state alumnus; and am currently working with other inspired alumni to form an Atlantic Canada State Alumni Network." He also encourages his alumnus peers to benefit from the State Alumni website's resources.
McPherson's exchange and involvement since his return have made him feel part of a global community. He explains that "that feeling is one of having access to resources and expertise to engage on a global level to discuss ideas—discussions that lead to personal and professional development. I also feel that no matter where I travel, I will be able to connect with another trusted and interesting person that has a shared experience."
Find out more about Science on a Sphere.