Published February 05, 2024
By Christine Reed
The School of Energy Resources (SER) is pleased to welcome Tanner McClure as the Academic Coordinator. In his new role, McClure will focus on recruitment efforts for the academic programs at SER, conduct outreach with alumni and employment partners, and work to connect students with jobs and internships.
Additionally, he will serve as the faculty advisor for the student club — the Student Chapter for Energy Resources — and help with advising for students in the minor and certificate programs.
A California native, McClure migrated to the front range to attend a community college in Colorado while working as a summer camp director near Granby. Impressed by the affordable tuition, he transferred to the University of Wyoming to complete a bachelor’s degree in the Animal Sciences.
While at UW, he featured prominently as an athlete on the UW Rugby club team and was also part of the nationally ranked UW Horse Judging team during his tenure, for which he also served as a coach.
Following graduation, McClure returned to California where he worked as a zookeeper at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. In his role he oversaw the care of large carnivores, as well as many exotic animals like jaguars and cheetahs. He was promoted to an animal trainer and gained experience working with nearly every animal in the zoo over a short period of time. Trusted for his organizational abilities and work ethic, McClure was also responsible for managing the Australian Adventures Exhibit and oversaw operations in the new habitat and its staff.
During the pandemic, McClure took the opportunity to return to Wyoming and began working for UW as an admissions representative, and most recently served as the Assistant Director of Admissions. While working in Admissions, he spent time recruiting first time freshmen and transfer students to the university while also serving as the main point of contact for transfer relations.
“My background is littered with random and diverse experiences,” says McClure. “At no point in my undergraduate experience did I think I’d do all of these things that I have done and now I’m very grateful for those experiences because it built a cool path in my life. It really drove home the importance of being open and receptive to new things because you never know where it will lead you.”
Growing up in Riverside, Cali., McClure also had a very different perception of the energy industry. With many family members working in energy infrastructure, construction, and project management, he was keenly aware of the significant difference in how energy was viewed in Wyoming and California. Another instance in which he was able to take his unique insights and find an opportunity.
His interest in energy and his abilities to work with students fueled his desire to make the move to SER.
“I really relate to this degree program because it is so interdisciplinary, and it has such a wide variety of career possibilities that come with it,” he adds. “Students don’t have to feel boxed in, and will come away with the knowledge that they have the skills to take a sharp turn here and there in their professional lives and still be successful wherever they end up.”
“Tanner brings an insightful and encouraging perspective to the role that really resonates with a lot of students embarking on their college careers,” says SER Academic Director Kami Danaei. “Many students are unsure about the path they want to take, and Tanner has an uncanny ability to put others at ease, embrace opportunities, and share possibilities. He’s such a great fit for our team with his versatility and authenticity, and we are really looking forward to the impact he will make for our students.”
