Jazz Vocalist Dani Assis ’23 Wins Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Vocal Competition</h1> <article> <h1>Jazz Vocalist Dani Assis ’23 Wins Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Vocal Competition</h1> <p>cstrauss — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 19:54:53 +0000</p> <span>Jazz Vocalist Dani Assis ’23 Wins Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Vocal Competition</span> <span><span>cstrauss</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-06-04T15:54:53-04:00" title="Tuesday, June 4, 2024 - 15:54">Tue, 06/04/2024 - 15:54</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>�鶹��Ƶ Conservatory jazz vocal alumnus <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/3B8lUmu8J1pnoewYnqdjZ0">Dani Assis</a> ’23 is the winner of the prestigious <a href="https://www.ellafitzgeraldcompetition.org/">Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Vocal Competition</a>, hosted by the Blues Alley Jazz Society—Washington, D. C.’s stellar jazz club, and the second oldest jazz club in the country. The competition was founded in partnership with the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation. </p> <p>A rising star, Assis emerged from an international pool of talent in this year’s competition with vocalists from China, Belarus, Canada, Germany, Mexico, and across the United States. The theme for this year's competition was "Ella Loves Cole,” so the singers performed Cole Porter songs. In the last round of competition, Assis sang three Porter tunes: "Easy to Love," "What Is This Thing Called Love," and "It's De-Lovely." </p> <p>As reported in the announcement in <a href="https://www.allaboutjazz.com/introducing-vocalist-dani-assis">AllAboutJazz.com</a>, the competition jury was impressed by Assis for "the beautiful quality of his singing voice, his extensive range, and his exemplary improvisation skills.” He has since been making the rounds and has had interviews with major jazz publications, including an appearance on the <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/5XaHLD2UtTH53VXPtbLsle">JAZZIZ Podcast</a>.</p> <p>Last August, Assis released a single, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF3aKpy_8aY">"My Own Embrace,"</a> a contrafact of Miles Davis' "Blue in Green." Assis' first full album, entitled DaniEL, will be released later this August. </p> <p>Since graduating from �鶹��Ƶ in 2023, Assis has been performing with a number of artists, including former classmates from �鶹��Ƶ. In May, Assis performed at Dizzy's Club (with his father Nanny Assis, Ron Carter, Tolga Bilgin, saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin, pianist Helio Alves, guitarist Chico Pinheiro, and drummer Edu Ribeiro) and at Arthur's Tavern in Greenwich Village (with pianist Hyuna Park, bassist Michael O'Brien, and his �鶹��Ƶ classmate and drummer Noah Sherman ’23). </p> <p>Hear the performance of Assis' winning number at the Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Vocal Competition, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4tRWNFxHzQ">"Easy to Love,"</a> by Cole Porter.<br> </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Assis emerged from an international pool in seventh annual edition of the competition</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2024-06-04T12:00:00Z">Tue, 06/04/2024 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Cathy Partlow Strauss ’84</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2356">Conservatory</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2974">Conservatory Alumni</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2389">Young Alumni</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=34691">Jazz Performance</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/la-tanya-hall" hreflang="und">La Tanya Hall</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/jazz-studies" hreflang="und">Jazz Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Courtesy of Dani Assis</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Poet Milena Williamson Receives Eric Gregory Award</h1> <p>swargo — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 15:15:51 +0000</p> <span>Poet Milena Williamson Receives Eric Gregory Award</span> <span><span>swargo</span></span> <span><time datetime="2021-07-14T11:15:51-04:00" title="Wednesday, July 14, 2021 - 11:15">Wed, 07/14/2021 - 11:15</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The accolades continue for poet Milena Williamson ’17, who was recently named the recipient of an Eric Gregory Award, which recognizes writers based in the United Kingdom who are under the age of 30.</p> <p>Presented by the <a href="https://www.societyofauthors.org/Prizes/Authors-Awards/Poetry/Eric-Gregory">Society of Authors</a>, the Eric Gregory Award was founded in 1960 and is given annually to support and encourage young poets. <a href="https://www.milenawilliamson.com">Williamson</a> received the award for her collection, <em>The Red Trapeze</em> (currently unpublished).</p> <p>A PhD candidate studying poetry at The Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen's University Belfast, this past spring Williamson’s work was featured in <a href="https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/new-irish-writing/poems-bymilena-williamson-40474203.html">New Irish Writing</a> in the <em>Irish Independent</em>. She is also the winner of the 2018 <a href="https://belfastbookfestival.com/mairtin-crawford-award/previous-winners/2018">Mairtín Crawford Poetry Award</a> and the 2020 <em>Streetcake Magazine</em> experimental writing prize in poetry.</p> <p>Williamson moved to Belfast, Ireland in 2017 when she was offered a scholarship to the master's in poetry program at the Seamus Heaney Centre. She also was selected from nearly 200 applicants to participate in <a href="/node/113776">Poetry Ireland’s Introduction Series</a>. Originally from Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, Williamson earned a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing at �鶹��Ƶ. She was awarded a <a href="/node/76071">Florence Snell Scholarship</a>, which is presented to an English major who intends to pursue doctoral work in English/American literature or comparative literature.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2021-07-14T12:00:00Z">Wed, 07/14/2021 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Scott Wargo</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2389">Young Alumni</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25326">Creative Writing</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/creative-writing" hreflang="und">Creative Writing</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Courtesy of Milena Williamson</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>A Career in the Creative Side of Journalism</h1> <p>ygay — Thu, 04 Mar 2021 16:37:13 +0000</p> <span>A Career in the Creative Side of Journalism</span> <span><span>ygay</span></span> <span><time datetime="2021-03-04T11:37:13-05:00" title="Thursday, March 4, 2021 - 11:37">Thu, 03/04/2021 - 11:37</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Goode, a native of San Fernando Valley in California, majored in English and minored in art history. She was awarded high honors in English and was a <a href="/financial-aid/basics/scholarships-offered" target="_blank">John F. �鶹��Ƶ Scholar</a>. For the past two years she has worked in New York as assistant to the creative director for <i>Vanity Fair</i>, a monthly magazine that features popular culture, fashion, and current affairs.</p> <p>Read more about Goode in this After �鶹��Ƶ Q&A.</p> <hr> <p><strong>What were your internships or projects during winter term?</strong> I had several internships over winter term. I worked for the Laura Dail Literary Agency and <em>POV | American Documentary</em>, and completed the <a href="https://amam.oberlin.edu/learn/oberlin-college-students/student-docent-program" target="_blank">Student Docent Program</a> at the Allen Memorial Art Museum. </p> <p><strong>Did you have mentors at �鶹��Ƶ?</strong> [Visiting Donald R. Longman Emerita Professor of English] <a href="/sandy-zagarell" target="_blank">Sandy Zagarell</a> was my advisor and an incredible mentor to me. I am so indebted to her for the support she gave me as both a student and a human being. In addition to helping me become a better reader, writer, and thinker, she looked out for me and helped me through many trips and falls of my college career. I will always be grateful to Sandy for her endless patience, guidance, and for helping me shape my senior thesis, something I’m still really proud of. </p> <p><strong>What does your job entail?</strong> As the assistant to the creative director, I help everyone in the art department—creative director, design director, and art directors—with both administrative and creative tasks. Generally, I spend my days working on editorial layouts, commissioning and art directing illustrators for columns, and designing Instagram stories for <em>Vanity Fair</em>’s feed. I’ve also had the opportunity to contribute to some really special photoshoots and issues, such as our Hollywood 2020 portfolio and our September 2020 issue, which was guest-edited by [<em>New York Times</em> best-selling author] Ta-Nehisi Coates. A dream came true last year when a concept I pitched—a photo portfolio of TikTok stars who were breaking into the mainstream—was developed and produced. I also write about podcasts for VF.com when I have time.</p> <p><strong>Have you experienced any challenges at <em>Vanity Fair</em> that you would like to share?</strong> I don’t have formal training in graphic design. I’ve been designing as a hobby since I was in high school, and worked as a student graphic designer at �鶹��Ƶ—my former boss, Emily Crawford ’92, is actually my colleague at VF, now—I’m completely self-taught. On the one hand, I feel lucky to have gotten a design job without a BFA, but sometimes my lack of a formal foundation can feel frustrating. </p> <p><strong>Has the pandemic greatly affected how you do your job?</strong> Yes. Creating a print magazine is such an incredibly collaborative and hands-on process; it was difficult to adjust to doing everything over Slack, and still feels difficult sometimes, even though we transitioned to [working from home] almost a full year ago. I really miss the camaraderie of the office. It feels like creative ideas spring up way more naturally when you’re talking and pitching things to people in person, as opposed to over Zoom. </p> <p><strong>What are your long-term career goals?</strong> To be completely honest, I’m still figuring that out. At this point, as long as I’m able to make a living in a creative field, I would consider that a success. </p> <p><strong>Any advice for students who wish to seek a job in the creative side of journalism?</strong> I am very open about the fact that I got this job through the Columbia Publishing Course, a six-week professional development program offered every summer through Columbia University. I attended the course in 2018 and although it didn’t happen immediately, it led me to my current position. I would encourage students to look into similar programs and also take advantage of resources like Study Hall, a social network for freelancers that offers tons of advice on pitching, leads on jobs, and more. Also, talk to me. I’m happy to help in whatever way I can.</p> <p><br> </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2021-03-04T12:00:00Z">Thu, 03/04/2021 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Yvonne Gay</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Justine Goode ’16 has always wanted to work at a print magazine in either a design or an editorial capacity. Today, the former editor of the <em>Grape</em>, �鶹��Ƶ's alternative student newspaper, is fulfilling both career goals at <em>Vanity Fair</em>.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2360">After �鶹��Ƶ</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2389">Young Alumni</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25346">English</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25301">Art History</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=181496">Journalism</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/english" hreflang="und">English</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/art-history" hreflang="und">Art History</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/journalism" hreflang="und">Journalism</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Justine Goode '16 stands in front of the Hudson River. Vanity Fair is published in New York, the United Kingdom, Italy, Mexico, Spain, and France.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Courtesy of Justine Goode '16</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>From Pre-Med to Scientific Illustrator: Tiffany Fung '12</h1> <p>anagy — Tue, 23 Feb 2021 17:15:25 +0000</p> <span>From Pre-Med to Scientific Illustrator: Tiffany Fung '12</span> <span><span>anagy</span></span> <span><time datetime="2021-02-23T12:15:25-05:00" title="Tuesday, February 23, 2021 - 12:15">Tue, 02/23/2021 - 12:15</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Examples of Fung’s ability to spin two disparate topics into one includes turning her passion for rock climbing into a senior thesis on mountain goat anatomy, and her dog-loving nature into pages of Borzoi drawings.</p> <p>Most recently, Fung co-founded <a href="https://www.biotic-artlab.com/our-work">Biotic Artlab</a>, a medical and scientific illustration studio, with classmates Ezra van Hattem and Margot Ceelen. All three received their master’s in scientific illustration at Zuyd University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands.</p> <p>“We basically are illustrators-slash-designers who operate within the healthcare, medical, and pharmaceutical fields to provide visual content and educational material for those industries,” says Fung.</p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-right"> <figcaption>Tiffany Fung '12. Photo credit: Courtesy of Tiffany Fung</figcaption> </figure> <p>Medical illustration deals with the study of both life sciences and visual communication, explains Fung. It is an incredibly versatile and ubiquitous field, spanning textbook illustrations, patient education materials for doctors, illustrated medical research, and even 3D modeling and animation.</p> <p>“Scientific and medical illustration are intertwined,” Fung explains. “Scientific illustration encompasses biological and natural sciences. Medical illustration is pretty specific to human medicine.” </p> <p>Fung began her �鶹��Ƶ education on the pre-med track. However, during one <a href="/winter-term">winter term</a> project in which she shadowed an ER physician in New York, the 12-hour shifts proved to be the opposite of what Fung was looking for.</p> <p>“I realized that while I was interested in medicine, the practical life side of it was not something that I could see myself ever really accepting,” she says. </p> <p>Meanwhile, the art history program at �鶹��Ƶ gave Fung “a critical eye for anything visual.” </p> <p>“Honestly, when I switched to art history I thought that I was done with science. I realized that I wanted to do something more creative in the sense of myself creating something from start to finish,” she added.</p> <figure class="captioned-image"> <figcaption>A comparative anatomy illustration. Credit: Courtesy of Tiffany Fung</figcaption> </figure> <p>That changed after she graduated from �鶹��Ƶ and learned that she could combine her interests within medical and scientific illustration. Still, the path to that goal was challenging.</p> <p>Fung discovered that there were only three master’s programs in medical illustration in the United States, and they demanded rigorous science courses. Fung took several courses at the University of California-Berkeley, but later decided to find a program in Europe after reflecting on her study abroad experience in Paris during her third year at �鶹��Ƶ.</p> <p>“I knew that I wanted to live abroad again,” Fung explained. “I knew that after working for five years that I wanted to go back there, and I knew that applying for a job and getting sponsored is much, much more challenging than becoming a student.”</p> <p>Fung began her master’s program at Zuyd University in 2018. While there, she was trained in traditional art with an emphasis on creative, independent work. Fung was even able to center her senior thesis around mountain goat anatomy as a way to explore her passion for rock climbing from a biological and artistic perspective.</p> <p>“I wanted to do something related to climbing, and I created this idea around mountain goat anatomy and human anatomy. There are zero people in the world doing research on that, so I was able to find advisors and foray into what it's like to find people who are interested in working with you, which is really valuable for starting my own company,” Fung says.</p> <figure class="captioned-image"> <figcaption>An illustration of the lymphatic system. Credit: Courtesy of Tiffany Fung</figcaption> </figure> <p>“I think it actually mimicked what the professional environment would be like, where no one’s holding your hand and you have to figure out how to get from A to B on your own,” Fung adds about her master’s program.</p> <p>After graduating with her master’s in scientific illustration in 2020, Fung decided to stay in the Netherlands. In August 2020, she co-founded and launched Biotic Artlab with her classmates as a more collaborative approach to freelance work. </p> <p>“My two friends Margot [Ceelen] and Ezra [van Hattem] decided, we're going to end up doing freelance anyway, [so] why not work together?” Fung said. We have different strengths, and together our work is so much better than if we just sit alone in our apartments, competing against each other for work. There are not a lot of small collaborative medical illustration studios in Europe and we wanted to fill a niche.”</p> <p>Hattem specializes in natural science illustration and Celeen in surgical illustration. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted their plans to work with zoos and natural history museums, but there is now a greater demand from physicians, hospitals, and research institutes. Their projects involve designing medical apps, creating visualizations for surgical procedures, and developing branding and marketing for commercial medical products. </p> <p>“We're primarily working with physicians from different fields such as orthopedic surgery, cardiology, dermatology, and oncology, and they are from across Europe and the U.S.,” Fung said. “We're also working with wilderness medics in Oregon, creating educational material for them. So, it comes in many shapes and forms.”</p> <p>Their upcoming projects are mostly under wraps because of medical confidentiality, but Fung was able to share that Biotic Artlab is looking at creating more 3D projects and educational material related to COVID-19.</p> <p>For students interested in a similar career path, Fung urges them to research programs early. The <a href="https://ami.org/">Association of Medical Illustrators</a> and <a href="https://www.aeims.eu/">Association Européenne des Illustrateurs Medicaux et Scientifiques</a> and provide information about North American and European programs, respectively. She also advises that medical and scientific illustrators need to be self-motivated.</p> <p>“You're adding more work out there into this massive pool of images, and it's very easy to create work that does not add new perspectives to the field,” Fung said. “It's up to you being self-motivated and having integrity to better the medical illustration field instead of just generating content.</p> <p>“Medical illustration is not just pictures, and that's the cool part about it. You can do a lot with it. So for anyone who's interested in design or art or medicine, I would definitely recommend taking a peek into this field,” Fung added.</p> <p>To learn more about Biotic Artlab, <a href="https://www.biotic-artlab.com">visit the website</a> or view the Instagram page at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/biotic.artlab/">@biotic.artlab</a>.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Fung blended her love of science and art into a career as a medical and scientific illustrator.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2021-02-23T12:00:00Z">Tue, 02/23/2021 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Jaimie Yue '22</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p><a href="https://www.fungscientificillustration.com/">Tiffany Fung '12</a> is masterful at combining her diverse interests in new and interesting ways. Most notably, she is able to blend her love of science and art into her current career as a medical and scientific illustrator in Maastricht, Netherlands.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2360">After �鶹��Ƶ</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2389">Young Alumni</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2363">Academics & Research</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2367">Science & Math</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2377">Arts & Humanities</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3830">Pre-Medicine</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25301">Art History</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/art" hreflang="und">Studio Art</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">A medical illustration by Tiffany Fung '12.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tiffany Fung/Biotic Artlab</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Maame Kwaaba Stephens ’01 Selected for Eisenhower Fellowship</h1> <p>anagy — Tue, 04 Aug 2020 15:22:44 +0000</p> <span>Maame Kwaaba Stephens ’01 Selected for Eisenhower Fellowship</span> <span><span>anagy</span></span> <span><time datetime="2020-08-04T11:22:44-04:00" title="Tuesday, August 4, 2020 - 11:22">Tue, 08/04/2020 - 11:22</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Maame Kwaaba Stephens ’01, a business leader based in Ghana, has been selected for the Eisenhower Fellowship 2021 Africa Program.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.efworld.org/our-programs/international">Eisenhower Fellows Program</a> spans across the globe, and is designed for professionals from all backgrounds and disciplines that seek to tackle big challenges, to better the world around them. In Fall 2021, Stephens will be among 25 fellows working on independent projects focused on the African continent. </p> <p>Stephens is a director with the Kaysens Group of companies, which includes fast-moving consumer goods, LPG (gas), hospitality, and real estate in Ghana. She has managed the company’s telecom business for the last 10 years as the general manager, leading the company to become one of the top authorized telecommunications dealers/distributors in Ghana.</p> <p>Stephens previously worked as an Associate with General Electric’s Professional Management Development Program and as Assistant Brand Manager with Procter & Gamble, both in the United States, after graduating from business school. </p> <p>“I turned my passion—to travel and organize events—into a profit with Kwaaba Vacations, a destination management company, engaged in events management, activities, program logistics, tours, transportation, and conferencing in about 10 West African countries. I recognize tourism opportunities in Ghana and would like to take Ghana's tourism to another level,” says Stephens, who received a bachelor’s degree in economics at �鶹��Ƶ, and an MBA at Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University. She served as an �鶹��Ƶ College Class Trustee from 2001 to 2004, and continues to serve on the �鶹��Ƶ Alumni Recruiting Network.</p> <p>Her project seeks to preserve and promote Ghanaian and other African culture through fashion while promoting tourism.</p> <p>Through the fellowship, Stephens will gain further access to subject matter experts in the industry, network with like-minded people, and also bounce ideas off them and other fellows. “The knowledge and experiences I gain will help me with the implementation of the project. I have always looked for opportunities to give back, and know my engagement in the Global Eisenhower Fellows network and beyond will be no different from my track record of giving back.” </p> <p>Stephens is founder of the Kwaaba Foundation; the Nkosuohemaa (Queenmother for Development) of Adeiso in the Eastern Region, Ghana; brand ambassador for the National Blood Service Ghana; board member of SOS-Herman Gmeiner International College; and a Rotarian. She supports health and community initiatives, and engages and empowers people to achieve their full potential. She instituted the <em>Maame Kwaaba Stephens Scholarship</em>, and initiated the first-ever nationwide blood drive with Rotary clubs in Ghana.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2020-08-04T12:00:00Z">Tue, 08/04/2020 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Amanda Nagy</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2368">Alumni</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2389">Young Alumni</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2403">Career Exploration & Development</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25341">Economics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/economics" hreflang="und">Economics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Maame Kwaaba Stephens '01 has been selected as an Eisenhower Fellow.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Courtesy of Maame Kwaaba Stephens</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>From Double Major to Law School: Emily Kelly-Olsen ’19</h1> <p>anagy — Wed, 22 Jul 2020 16:59:29 +0000</p> <span>From Double Major to Law School: Emily Kelly-Olsen ’19</span> <span><span>anagy</span></span> <span><time datetime="2020-07-22T12:59:29-04:00" title="Wednesday, July 22, 2020 - 12:59">Wed, 07/22/2020 - 12:59</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Class of 2019 graduate Emily Kelly-Olsen was a dedicated track and field athlete and double majored in politics and East Asian studies with a concentration in Chinese studies after taking a particularly illuminating politics course about Chinese socialism and revolution taught by Marc Blecher. Originally from Portland, Oregon, Olsen is currently a student at the University of Michigan Law School, but will return to Portland this summer as a Summer Associate/Fellow at the law firm K&L Gates.</p> <p><strong>Why did you double major in politics and East Asian studies?</strong></p> <p>I went into �鶹��Ƶ thinking I wanted to study the social sciences because I loved the government, history, and sociology classes that I took in high school. I dabbled in sociology, classics, and history courses my first semester, but during my second semester at �鶹��Ƶ I was lucky to stumble into <a href="/marc-blecher">Professor Marc Blecher</a>’s politics course. Cue me finding out exactly what I was going to major in! </p> <p>As for East Asian studies, I took Mandarin in high school, so I decided to try out some college courses. I ended up enjoying those courses more than I ever enjoyed my high school ones because they were so much more immersive and intensive, so we learned very quickly. I just continued to take them without any thought to making a major out of it. It actually wasn’t until I studied abroad in Beijing during my junior year and came back very proficient in Mandarin and nearly finished with an East Asian Studies major that I finally decided to declare it as a second major.</p> <p><strong>Did any professors or faculty at �鶹��Ƶ particularly enhance your college experience? </strong></p> <p>It’s hard to choose one single faculty member who particularly enhanced my college experience because I had so many amazing professors, but what I will say is that Professor Blecher is an absolutely incredible individual whom I plan to keep in touch with for years to come. He is just amazing and I owe him so much. I took pretty much every possible politics course that he offered throughout my �鶹��Ƶ career. He became my mentor and was my advisor for both of my majors, as well as for my honors thesis about Chinese politics. </p> <p><strong>What extracurricular activities or student organizations were you a part of at �鶹��Ƶ?</strong></p> <p>I did fun activities such as swing and blues dancing through OSwing, and teaching third through fifth graders as an America Reads tutor. I spent most of my energy, however, on the track team. I was a sprinter all four years and was the sprint team captain during my senior season. What I loved most about being an athlete at �鶹��Ƶ is that I never had to choose between sports and my education. My coaches all understood and reiterated that our education (as well as mental/emotional health) always came first over athletics, and it’s special to find that type of environment on a team that was highly competitive in our conference like ours was. �鶹��Ƶ Track and Field is something I put on my resume and is actually a great topic during interviews. </p> <p><strong>What experiences, opportunities, and classes did you have that were unique to �鶹��Ƶ?</strong></p> <p>Something that makes �鶹��Ƶ such a gem is their <a href="https://oberlinexco.org/">Ex-Co program</a>! Ex-Cos courses are taught by students, staff, and �鶹��Ƶ community members for one or two credits (or you can take them for no credit). They can be about pretty much every topic imaginable, from “How to Make Beauty Products” to “How to do Jiu Jitsu.” I took a beginning swing dancing course and advanced swing course for credit as well as a blues dancing course for fun my first and second years at �鶹��Ƶ. To this day I still am an especially avid swing dancer, and my dad and I swing danced for our father-daughter dance at my wedding, using moves I learned at �鶹��Ƶ. It was a hit! I highly recommend taking an Ex-Co if you can. They are usually low-commitment and a great way to make new friends. </p> <p><strong>What’s next for you?</strong></p> <p>I thought about taking a gap year or two to teach English in China, but I decided that I had the energy to continue my education and I knew what I wanted to do, so why wait? I am not completely sure what type of law I will end up practicing yet, but this summer I have accepted a position as a Summer Associate/Fellow at K&L Gates in my hometown of Portland, Oregon, and I’ll be joining their Corporate Practice group this summer. I’ll probably be doing transactional law and if I stay with this particular firm, I will have the opportunity to practice Asia Law, which is my main interest. My plan is to move back to Portland and practice law there.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2020-07-22T12:00:00Z">Wed, 07/22/2020 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Jaimie Yue '22</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Class of 2019 graduate Emily Kelly-Olsen was a dedicated track and field athlete and double majored in politics and East Asian studies with a concentration in Chinese studies after taking a particularly illuminating politics course about Chinese socialism and revolution taught by Marc Blecher. Originally from Portland, Oregon, Olsen is currently a student at the University of Michigan Law School, but will return to Portland this summer as a Summer Associate/Fellow at the law firm K&L Gates.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2360">After �鶹��Ƶ</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2389">Young Alumni</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2368">Alumni</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2363">Academics & Research</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2413">Social Sciences</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2391">Languages & Literatures</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25336">East Asian Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25416">Politics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/marc-blecher" hreflang="und">Marc Blecher</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/politics" hreflang="und">Politics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/east-asian-studies" hreflang="und">East Asian Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">A law student at University of Michigan, Emily Kelly-Olsen '19 aspires to practice Asia Law.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Courtesy of Emily Kelly-Olsen</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-flex-content field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden vertical-spacing--basic field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div class="field field--name-field-bio-card-el-biography field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <div class="biography-card"> <figure> </figure> <div class="biography-card__content"> <h2><span>Marc Blecher</span> </h2> <ul class="item-list list--clean" style="margin-top: 0px;"> <li class="professional-title">James Monroe Professor of Politics and of East Asian Studies</li> </ul> <a class="view-more" href="/marc-blecher">View Marc Blecher’s biography</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Taking Her Time: Master of Art History Candidate Michelle Fikrig ’18</h1> <p>anagy — Thu, 02 Jul 2020 19:00:23 +0000</p> <span>Taking Her Time: Master of Art History Candidate Michelle Fikrig ’18</span> <span><span>anagy</span></span> <span><time datetime="2020-07-02T15:00:23-04:00" title="Thursday, July 2, 2020 - 15:00">Thu, 07/02/2020 - 15:00</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>After completing her honors thesis with Assistant Professor Matthew Rarey, Fikrig is now working on a master of art history at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with the goal of earning a PhD.</p> <p><strong>Can you describe what you are currently doing at UNC Chapel Hill?</strong></p> <p>I’m in my first year of what will either be a two-year degree or longer depending on if I stay on for a PhD. My day-to-day life is mostly filled with coursework, but I’m also a teaching assistant so I get to develop lesson plans and have a lot of grading that punctuates my seminar work. Graduate school is very self-motivated, so I spend a lot of my time at the library or at the local coffee shop getting through readings and coming up with research proposals for various papers. </p> <p><strong>Why did you major in art history at �鶹��Ƶ?</strong></p> <p>Originally I was a biology major, but I switched to art history my sophomore year at �鶹��Ƶ. I felt confident making that switch because I realized that I could incorporate the reasons I was interested in a career in the sciences, mainly reproductive and queer rights advocacy and health care, into art historical research. </p> <p>For my honors thesis at �鶹��Ƶ, I looked at South African visual activist Zanele Muholi’s photographic archive of queer black women around the world, which got me thinking about how identities are formed visually and how community activism can be translated through art. At the graduate level you get a lot more freedom in the research you can conduct for each class, so I’ve been able to explore these types of topics more deeply, which has been really exciting to me. It’s also helped me realize how varied art historical research can be, and that I can carve out a niche for myself that resonates with those themes of advocacy and bodily autonomy that I was interested in.</p> <p><strong>How did �鶹��Ƶ help you build skills for academic, personal, and professional success?</strong></p> <p>I truly think that �鶹��Ƶ prepared me really well for graduate school. I remember being so nervous about my first seminar at UNC, but after class, I called my old roommate from �鶹��Ƶ and remember excitedly telling her, “Wait, that wasn’t so bad! It was literally just like an �鶹��Ƶ seminar!” �鶹��Ƶ’s seminars set me up to know how to deal with large workloads, how to lead class discussions, and how to effectively utilize the resources around me. I think one of the reasons I feel so comfortable in my seminars now is that I feel confident reaching out to my professors and to the librarians here—skills that �鶹��Ƶ really instilled in me from the beginning. </p> <p>The honors program in art history was also really helpful in teaching me how to devise, plan, and follow through with a large independent research project. I feel much more capable of tackling longer research papers now that I have accomplished a project of that scope.</p> <p>The relationship I built up with my advisor, Assistant Professor <a href="/matthew-rarey">Matt Rarey</a>, working on that project served as a really good model for how I interact and work with my professors at the graduate level. Working on my thesis with Professor Rarey made me feel like his colleague rather than just an undergraduate student. That boosted my confidence in my research and in myself as a scholar. I’m still actually using that research from �鶹��Ƶ, and it informs a lot of my thinking about current projects. I recently even presented it at a Global Feminisms conference at UNC.</p> <p><strong>What extracurricular activities or student organizations were you a part of at �鶹��Ƶ?</strong></p> <p>The two main student groups I was a part of were Students United for Reproductive Freedom (SURF) and �鶹��Ƶ’s literary arts magazine, the <em>Plum Creek Review</em>. Working with any student organization teaches you a lot; I learned a lot of management skills, how to navigate bureaucracy, and how to engage my peers. I’ve been using these skills at UNC as a member of our graduate student organization, but they’ve also helped me in various internships I’ve held. I’m no longer working directly on reproductive rights issues like I did while I was the cochair of SURF at �鶹��Ƶ, but knowing how to work within tight time frames, work with other departments or student groups, and how to advocate for myself have all made me a more effective team member during internships. </p> <p><strong>Do you have any advice for students interested in a similar field/career path?</strong></p> <p>I think this is true for a lot of career paths, but don’t be afraid to take your time. I took a gap year before �鶹��Ƶ and then another year before starting my master’s. I’ll honestly probably take some time off again before jumping into a PhD. Some of my colleagues that I think are most successful in my department took time off before returning for their graduate degrees.</p> <p>I think time away from academia has made me a stronger applicant and it has been hugely influential on my views as a scholar. I traveled, did my own research, and got valuable work experience during those years “off—although I think that’s a misnomer. Most importantly, I built connections. Immersing myself in places outside the academic bubble helped me build a network of like-minded professionals in a variety of fields that I can learn from and rely on for years to come.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2020-07-07T12:00:00Z">Tue, 07/07/2020 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Jaimie Yue '22</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Michelle Fikrig ’18 majored in art history and combined her scientific interests with art historical research. While at �鶹��Ƶ, she was also involved with the student literary arts magazine, the <em>Plum Creek Review</em> and Students United for Reproductive Freedom (SURF). </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2360">After �鶹��Ƶ</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2389">Young Alumni</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2368">Alumni</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2377">Arts & Humanities</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25301">Art History</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/matthew-rarey" hreflang="und">Matthew Rarey</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/art" hreflang="und">Studio Art</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Michelle Fikrig took a gap year before pursuing a master’s in art history.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Courtesy of Michelle Fikrig</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Confidence in Research: Morgan Thomas ’19</h1> <p>anagy — Tue, 30 Jun 2020 18:58:12 +0000</p> <span>Confidence in Research: Morgan Thomas ’19</span> <span><span>anagy</span></span> <span><time datetime="2020-06-30T14:58:12-04:00" title="Tuesday, June 30, 2020 - 14:58">Tue, 06/30/2020 - 14:58</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Can you describe what you currently do?</strong></p> <p>As a research technician at Purdue University, I grow and maintain multiple immortalized cell lines, conduct experiments, and help the postdoctoral people in the lab. I also oversee and train the undergraduate students in the lab. </p> <p><strong>How did your major and your academic experience factor into your current professional life?</strong></p> <p>Because of the small community at �鶹��Ƶ, I was able to spend two years doing undergraduate research in a neuroscience lab. This opportunity allowed me to gain experience in a research lab that was necessary for me to be qualified for my job now. I was also able to present my research at seven different conferences, which allowed me to gain confidence in my scientific knowledge and allowed me to meet and network with people in this field as well. I still use the techniques I learned at �鶹��Ƶ in the lab as well as presenting skills at different scientific conferences.</p> <p><strong>Did any professors or faculty at �鶹��Ƶ particularly enhance your college experience?</strong></p> <p>I worked in the lab of Associate Professor <a href="/gunnar-kwakye">Gunnar Kwayke</a>, who specializes in neurotoxicology and neurodegeneration. Under his tutelage, I was trained as a cell culture scientist. Professor Kwayke’s mentorship enhanced my college career tremendously. The lessons I’ve learned from him and the skills I picked up truly improved my career.</p> <p>I was given the opportunity to train other students in Kwayke’s lab, and now I teach an Introduction to Lab Techniques for the undergraduate students who work in my current lab. Without Kwayke’s guidance, I would not have found my passion for research. </p> <p><strong>Do you have any advice for people who are interested in a similar career path?</strong></p> <p>My advice to anyone who wants to attend graduate school in the sciences or medical school is to use their summers and <a href="/winter-term/about">winter terms</a> for internships or shadowing opportunities. I did not know my passion would lie in research until I had the opportunity to do research for an extended amount of time. I would also suggest talking to people who have gone down that path.</p> <p>At �鶹��Ƶ, we have Lab Crawl, an annual event where you can go and learn about the labs from different science fields on campus and talk to the professors. I would also say to get a good mentor. Talking to professors in office hours and asking questions about their research and the career path they took is a good way to start. Mentors can be really helpful in helping you figure out which classes to take to go down that path.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2020-07-01T12:00:00Z">Wed, 07/01/2020 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Jaimie Yue '22</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Morgan Thomas ’19 majored in <a href="/neuroscience">neuroscience</a> with a minor in <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/africana-studies">Africana studies</a>. Because of �鶹��Ƶ’s small class sizes and focus on undergraduate students, Thomas gained valuable research skills that she now employs as a research technician in a neurotoxicology lab at Purdue University.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2360">After �鶹��Ƶ</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2389">Young Alumni</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2367">Science & Math</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2358">Undergraduate Research</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=4821">Africana Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=4861">Neuroscience</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/gunnar-kwakye" hreflang="und">Gunnar Kwakye</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/neuroscience" hreflang="und">Neuroscience</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/africana-studies" hreflang="und">Africana Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Morgan Thomas '19 is a research technician at Purdue University.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Courtesy of Morgan Thomas</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Nine International Obies Will Begin PhDs in STEM</h1> <p>anagy — Thu, 04 Jun 2020 16:50:33 +0000</p> <span>Nine International Obies Will Begin PhDs in STEM</span> <span><span>anagy</span></span> <span><time datetime="2020-06-04T12:50:33-04:00" title="Thursday, June 4, 2020 - 12:50">Thu, 06/04/2020 - 12:50</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Nine Chinese international students in the Class of 2020 will begin fully funded and stipended PhD programs in STEM in the fall. Despite the limitations that international students face due to their citizenship, the nine students, roughly a third of all Chinese international students in the Class of 2020, still managed to secure positions in top PhD programs because of support from �鶹��Ƶ’s faculty, programs, and academic services.</p> <p>The nine students are Charles Cui, Yiling Fang, Keyi Feng, Tao Hong, Jiachen Liu, He Ren, Qia Wang, Yuhao Wu, and Yichi Zhang.</p> <p>Despite arguments in favor of attending large research universities, the liberal arts approach is gaining traction among prospective STEM majors, even overseas. </p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-right"> <figcaption>Yiling Fang ’20<br> Photo courtesy of Yiling Fang</figcaption> </figure> <p>Yiling Fang is a biology major and chemistry minor originally from Nanjing, China, and will be starting her PhD in plant and microbial biology at the University of California, Berkeley. She explains that China has several liberal arts college fairs, and she first learned about �鶹��Ƶ at a fair in Shanghai. </p> <p>Out of all the schools there, she was most drawn to the admissions officer from �鶹��Ƶ because of her enthusiasm and passion about the school: “There weren’t any admission officers that were like her,” she says. </p> <p>Charles Cui, who double-majored in math and computer science, will be pursuing a PhD in computer science at Northwestern University. “The mentorship between my professors and peers are the most valuable things I received” while at �鶹��Ƶ,” says Cui.</p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-left"> <figcaption>Charles Cui ’20<br> Photo courtesy of Charles Cui</figcaption> </figure> <p>Fang notes how �鶹��Ƶ’s approach to learning in STEM has greater emphasis on communicating scientific ideas rather than simply textbook knowledge.</p> <p>“�鶹��Ƶ’s STEM program is not just about the knowledge you learn, it’s about trying to give [students] practice on scientific critical thinking. Most of the biology classes I took had more emphasis on group work and how to communicate science with the public, which I think might not be as emphasized [at] other colleges or universities. In one of my immunology classes, I got the chance to make videos [for the first time] to communicate immunology to the public, and I really liked it.”</p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-right"> <figcaption>Leo Wu ’20<br> Photo courtesy of Leo Wu</figcaption> </figure> <p>Leo Wu, a chemistry major originally from Zhengzhou, will be starting a PhD program in chemistry at Northwestern University this fall. Outside of classes, he describes how his experience as an <a href="/clear/owls">�鶹��Ƶ Workshop and Learning Sessions </a>(OWLS) leader and coordinator for chemistry reflected �鶹��Ƶ’s dedication toward peer learning, especially in STEM subjects.</p> <p>“A community around peers is really important because you learn from each other and you want to have someone around you who is also motivated, self-driven, and passionate about your field,” Wu says.</p> <p>�鶹��Ƶ’s size and liberal arts approach is ideal for undergraduate research, says Assistant Professor of Computer Science <a href="/node/49431">Sam Taggart</a>, Cui’s advisor.</p> <p>“Smaller liberal arts schools perfectly package the three things you need to get off the ground as a researcher: technical proficiency, which at �鶹��Ƶ is cultivated in small classes with skilled instructors; dedicated mentorship, a passion of everyone here; and connection to a broader research community, which should be clear from the quality of scholarship the faculty produce,” says </p> <p>Taggart directly inspired Cui to pursue a PhD in computer science, specifically with a concentration in the intersection of theoretical computer science, economics, and law. </p> <p>Due to his status as an international student, Cui’s citizenship made him ineligible for the majority of Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs) funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). With limited options, he turned to Taggart, who invited Cui to work on a summer research project on the intersection of game theory in economics and privacy after Cui’s second year.</p> <p>“That summer, I learned a lot,” Cui said. “Professor Taggart met with us almost daily during the week. We presented our results and asked questions; Sam has always made himself available. He’s very approachable, gives great advice, and is very supportive and encouraging. And he has been that way for my honors project as well. After that summer of research, I also took three upper-level computer science classes with him.”</p> <p>For Wu, working with Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry <a href="/node/5256">Catherine Oertel </a>was what helped him decide on his career path.</p> <p>“In my own experience, I really struggled to determine my major in my sophomore year, and I think doing research in Professor Oertel’s lab really helped me clear my mind about what my future would look like if I pursued chemistry, and I just really appreciate the chance to get research experience this early,” Wu added.</p> <p>Taggart believes that �鶹��Ƶ’s smaller size and emphasis on the undergraduate student is what enables successful mentor-student experiences and helps students who plan to pursue postgraduate studies. </p> <p>“One-on-one research mentorship is exciting because, at its best, research is a process of shared struggle,” Taggart wrote. “It's about asking a question nobody has known to ask or known how to answer. It is also a chance to help students develop the sometimes-neglected skill of working out of confusion into understanding. Students often get to graduate school without realizing the importance of these questions. I love being able to give my students a head start, one that is only possible with the sort of close mentorship that happens at �鶹��Ƶ.”</p> <p>Cui appreciates how the computer science department supported him in helping him to decide on graduate school. In addition, <a href="/jack-calcut">Jack Calcut</a> and <a href="/node/6001">Ben Linowitz</a> in the math department wrote recommendation letters, and Writing Center and Writing Associate Momo Suzuki advised many of his academic papers.</p> <p>“The computer science department held a lot of lunches or talks telling people about different options after graduation, so that’s how I learned about grad school originally,” Cui said. “ I got the most help from Sam Taggart, my advisor, because applying to PhD programs is different from applying to college. Your personal statement is more of a research statement— so my professor knows what grad school expects and what they want to see in a statement.”</p> <p>Fang was likewise inspired by Professor of Biology <a href="/node/5181">Marta Laskowski</a>. Both Laskowski and the Career Development Center provided specific guidance and advice for her resume, CV, and application materials for her summer internship at the Arnold Arboretum in Boston and later graduate school. </p> <p>Fang had the opportunity to travel with Laskowski to the Netherlands for a summer, working in the lab that Laskowski to prepare materials to bring back to Ohio. </p> <p>Fang noted, “This kind of experience can only happen in small liberal arts colleges because in big universities they will of course take postdocs and graduate students with them to do foreign collaboration meetings.”</p> <p>“[The trip] was a really wonderful experience,” Fang added. “That was the first time for me to see [how] a research lab in a big university works and the difference between the European science field and the American science field.”</p> <p>Similarly, Oertel gave Wu the opportunity to work at Cornell University for a summer, using the lab’s instruments to characterize inorganic compounds and observe graduate students at work.</p> <p>“That was a memorable experience for me because at Cornell, at that time, research was still a very fresh thing for me, but at Cornell, I was able to see some grad students who were very involved in their research subjects,” Wu said. </p> <p>Deciding on, applying to, and being accepted to graduate school is no easy feat, and requires careful deliberation, persistence, and hard work. However, the students agree that the support from their professors, advisors, and even classmates at �鶹��Ƶ has helped them immensely.</p> <p>“If I can give a piece of advice to �鶹��Ƶ students who want to major in STEM: I would say go to office hours. Go to talks. Get to know your professors and let them get to know you. Build close relationships with these people. They want to help you. And if you’re humble you will learn a lot,” Cui said.</p> <p>“I'm super proud of this year's graduates,” Taggart wrote. “They were a pleasure to teach and work with. I look forward to seeing what they do with the next stage of their lives.”</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2020-06-04T12:00:00Z">Thu, 06/04/2020 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Jaimie Yue '22</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Roughly a third of all Chinese international students in the Class of 2020 have secured positions in top PhD programs. They credit the liberal arts approach to STEM and the support they've received from �鶹��Ƶ’s faculty, programs, and academic services.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2363">Academics & Research</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2367">Science & Math</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2396">International Students</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2389">Young Alumni</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2358">Undergraduate Research</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25251">Biology</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25306">Chemistry</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25321">Computer Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25401">Mathematics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/sam-taggart" hreflang="und">Sam Taggart ’12</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/catherine-oertel" hreflang="und">Catherine Oertel</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/marta-laskowski" hreflang="und">Marta Laskowski</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/biology" hreflang="und">Biology</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/chemistry-biochemistry" hreflang="und">Chemistry and Biochemistry</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/mathematics" hreflang="und">Mathematics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/computer-science" hreflang="und">Computer Science</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">The liberal arts approach is gaining traction among prospective STEM students overseas.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Mike Crupi</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Mental Health Research Assistant: Ify Ezimora ’19</h1> <p>anagy — Wed, 13 May 2020 17:28:21 +0000</p> <span>Mental Health Research Assistant: Ify Ezimora ’19</span> <span><span>anagy</span></span> <span><time datetime="2020-05-13T13:28:21-04:00" title="Wednesday, May 13, 2020 - 13:28">Wed, 05/13/2020 - 13:28</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Ify Ezimora ’19 double majored in psychology and environmental studies. While she had a passion for psychology since high school, the environmental research she did with Professor of Psychology and Environmental Studies <a href="/cindy-frantz">Cindy Frantz</a>, Paul Sears Distinguished Professor of Environmental Studies and Biology <a href="/john-petersen">John Petersen</a>, and Associate Professor of Environmental Studies <a href="/md-rumi-shammin">Rumi Shammin</a> compelled her to double major in environmental studies.</p> <p>With all the professional experience she gained at �鶹��Ƶ from budget management to tutoring and community service, she now applies it to her current role as a clinical research assistant at Rhode Island Hospital, Hasbro Children’s Hospital, and the Miriam Hospital. There, she is directly engaged in studies about current physical and mental health issues plaguing society.</p> <p><strong>What does an average day look like for you?</strong></p> <p>On a typical day, I screen the medical records of all the patients who present to the emergency department and look at their past medical history and chief complaint to see if they meet the inclusion/exclusion criteria for any of our active studies. If they are eligible for any of our studies, I approach them, pitch the study to them to see if they’d be interested, and complete any enrollment procedures like quantitative and qualitative surveys and blood draws before they get discharged from the hospital. Currently, we are working on studies addressing the opioid epidemic, Lyme disease, gastroenteritis, adult and child trauma, active suicidal ideation, gout, and geriatric fall prevention. In addition, as the lead RA on a couple of our studies, I also monitor the regulatory binders and make sure that all of our paperwork is in line with the IRB requirements.</p> <p><strong>Why did you double major in psychology and environmental studies?</strong></p> <p>I took AP psychology during my junior year of high school and fell in love with it. Everything I learned in that class really resonated with me and just made sense, and I couldn’t imagine being in any other field. I came to �鶹��Ƶ as an intended psychology major. I actually didn’t plan on majoring in environmental studies, but after participating in the STRONG program (Science and Technology Research Opportunities for a New Generation) and working on interdisciplinary psychology and environmental studies research with Cindy Frantz, John Petersen, and Rumi Shammin on �鶹��Ƶ’s campus the summer before my first year, I completely fell in love with the environmental studies department and decided to double major in that.</p> <p><strong>Did any extracurricular activities or student jobs at �鶹��Ƶ give you professional experience?</strong></p> <p>I feel like every job I ever had at �鶹��Ƶ gave me professional skills that can be applied to the real world. Working as the assistant student treasurer in the Office of the Student Treasurer and then as cochair of the Student Finance committee—the bodies that oversee and allocate the roughly $1.4 million Student Activity Fund to different student organizations—I built skills in budget-balancing, employee management, public speaking, collaboration, and form processing. Tutoring for America Reads and the Ninde Scholar program as a Bonner Scholar, I learned the intricacies of working with youth and adolescents in an academic setting and how to tailor teaching approaches to the specific individual. And working as a resident assistant and then village assistant for ResEd, I built professionalism over email and phone communication and an ability to adhere to confidentiality and learned how to build community among groups of people. Every week I find myself remembering what I learned at �鶹��Ƶ and applying it to my current job.</p> <p><strong>Did any professors or faculty at �鶹��Ƶ particularly enhance your college experience?</strong></p> <p>So many faculty members—and just in general, so many people at �鶹��Ƶ for that matter—really made my college experience one that I can never forget. However, the one faculty member that was the cornerstone of my undergraduate experience was Professor of Psychology and Environmental Studies Cindy Frantz. Cindy pushed me every step of the way through undergrad, and I definitely would not be the same person I am now if I had not met her. She was my academic advisor and research advisor and beyond that, a second mom for me. I was able to talk through difficult decisions with her, and she would give me advice and help me brainstorm whenever I needed it and was always there for me. Cindy taught all of her classes with so much compassion and care for social issues and individuals in the class. Additionally, because she serves as faculty for both the environmental studies program and a psychology department, she was able to be my academic advisor for both of my majors which allowed us to grow closer.</p> <p> </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2020-05-15T12:00:00Z">Fri, 05/15/2020 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Jaimie Yue '22</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2363">Academics & Research</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2367">Science & Math</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2413">Social Sciences</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2360">After �鶹��Ƶ</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2389">Young Alumni</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25351">Environmental Studies and Sciences</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25286">Psychology</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/cindy-frantz" hreflang="und">Cynthia (Cindy) Frantz</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/john-petersen" hreflang="und">John Petersen ’88</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/md-rumi-shammin" hreflang="und">Md Rumi Shammin</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/psychology" hreflang="und">Psychology</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/environmental-studies" hreflang="und">Environmental Studies and Science</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Ify Ezimora '19 is a clinical research assistant</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Courtesy of Ify Ezimora</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> </main></body></html>