RWD Introduces Students To Life On The River 

In 2004, just one year after the opening of the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium (River Museum), AEP River Operations (AEP) launched the RiverWorks Discovery program.

According to Mark Knoy, then-president of AEP River Operations, the intent was to “educate the public in a positive light about river commerce and the career opportunities that come with the most fuel-efficient, safe and environmentally friendly form of transportation.”

“We thought if you could educate school children they would educate their parents and eventually pass along to their congressional representatives the story of the river,” Knoy said. “We also thought it could become a great recruitment tool.”

In 2006, Errin Howard, who now serves as the executive director of RiverWorks Discovery, began working with AEP to further develop the program and broaden support. Then, in 2010, AEP gifted the program to the River Museum. Howard said it was a good fit, because the museum already had a natural connection to and relationship with the river industry. RiverWorks Discovery continues that same mission today as the program seeks to educate communities about the commerce, culture, conservation and careers on the great rivers of America and their watersheds.

“We accomplish that mission through in-person programming designed for a variety of age groups, from elementary through high school students,” Howard said. “We also use social media and online presentations to broaden our audience, increase our reach, elevate industry stories and equip maritime companies to do the same.”

Today, one of RiverWorks Discovery’s most popular programs is “Who Works the Rivers,” a career discovery event held in river communities across the nation that primarily targets high school students preparing to enter the workforce. Strategically, Who Works the Rivers seeks to benefit not only individual students and maritime companies but also the communities they call home.

“From the first event in Pittsburgh in 2011, Who Works the Rivers has now been held in 15 different cities around the country, and we’re continuing to add more,” Howard said. “Who Works the Rivers is an educational and career awareness event where students get to interact with industry professionals and participate in hands-on stations that reflect careers in the maritime industry.”

One of the Mississippi River communities that has partnered with RiverWorks Discovery to host Who Works the Rivers events is Vicksburg, Miss. Terence James, director of career and technical education with the Vicksburg Warren School District, said he sees it as an opportunity for Vicksburg’s young people to begin a successful career without leaving home.

“As educators, we are allowing interested participants to attend the ‘Who Works the Rivers’ event so that students will become knowledgeable about career opportunities here in our community,” James said. “We want to be certain that students take advantage of local job opportunities before deciding to go elsewhere.”

James is also a member of the newly formed RiverWorks Discovery Advisory Board, launched this year to help direct the organization’s efforts at a time when the inland marine industry, like other sectors, is facing recruitment challenges.

The board consists of Aimee Andres, Inland Rivers, Ports & Terminals Inc.; Capt. Kenny Brown, Maritime Throwdown; Tommy Cagle, Associated Terminals and Turn Services; Kelly Dimarco, Jefferson Parish Schools; Jennifer Drayna, River Museum; Jonathan Dunn, American Commercial Barge Line; Capt. Jeanne Ferrer, Crescent River Port Pilots Association; Jenna Gaudet, Eckstein Trade & Transport; Errin Howard, RiverWorks Discovery; Terence James, Vicksburg Warren School District; Jeff Keifer, AEP River Transportation Division; Capt. Jason Ledet, New Orleans-Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots Association; Dawn Lopez, Associated Terminals and Turn Services; Paula Neuhaus, River Museum; Patrick Parsons, American Waterways Operators; Paul Rohde, Waterways Council Inc.; Wendy Scardino, River Museum; Hope Sears, RiverWorks Discovery; Nelson Spencer Jr., The Waterways Journal; Kristin Stojackovich, Campbell Transportation Company; Kurt Strand, River Museum; Capt. John Vaughn, Marquette Transportation; Amber Watters, Campbell Transportation Company Inc.; Christa White, Ingram Barge Company; and Art Yves, Associated Terminals and Turn Services.

RiverWorks Discovery has a number of Who Works the Rivers events and other initiatives already on the calendar for 2023. For more information, visit https://www.riverworksdiscovery.org.

Caption for photo: Several members of the RiverWorks Discovery Advisory Board onsite at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium.