From Gatekeeping to Belonging: Rethinking STEM Education

Dr. Dawn Johnson, SU

Syracuse, NY — In the closing lecture of the 2026 Women in Scientific and Environmental Professions Speaker Series, Dr. Dawn Johnson, Professor, School of Education, Syracuse University explored Identity and Belonging in STEM, particularly for women of color in STEM disciplines. Through her talk, Dr. Johson described how sense of belonging shapes the academic experiences, persistence, and success of women of color in STEM fields, drawing on decades of research, national data, and lived experiences from students.

Johnson began by situating the work within her own path into higher education, noting that she was “the first one in my family to graduate college” and that her professional experiences have taken place primarily at predominantly white schools, colleges, and universities.  Her early work at Worcester Polytechnic Institute sparked a sustained focus on women of color after exploring the possibility of creating a Black sorority on campus, and realizing that only 13 Black and Latina women were enrolled on a campus of approximately 3,000 students—“a number that you know, but then when you hear it, it’s still jarring.”

Central to the talk was the concept of sense of belonging, defined as students’ perceptions of social support, connectedness, and mattering. “Essentially,” said Dr. Johnson, “we want to feel like we matter to somebody, that if we didn’t show up one day, someone would miss us and ask, ‘Where are you? Are you okay? How can I help?’”

While “belonging” has recently gained prominence as a term, the speaker emphasized that it has long been embedded in higher education research, particularly in scholarship focused on racial climate. “Even though belonging is sort of the new word for equity,” she explained, “belonging in many respects has always been connected to equity.”

Further, “belonging is relational and mutual. It’s important to the individual. The individual feels connected to the group, and the group values the individual.”

Participants were invited to reflect on spaces where they experience belonging. Students and employees identified elective courses, laboratory environments, committee work, informal coffee spaces, and affinity groups as places of connection. One student shared that elective courses foster belonging because of “a vast variety of students from different backgrounds,” while a staff member described feeling supported by colleagues who showed up for a committee-led campus event: “I felt really held by the people who showed up because they knew it was important to me.”

The talk then turned to why women of color remain a critical focus in STEM. Despite making up a growing share of college students, women of color continue to be severely underrepresented in STEM degrees. The presenter highlighted how early STEM coursework often functions as a gatekeeping mechanism, citing familiar messages such as, “Look to your left, look to your right. One of you won’t make it.”

Belonging, she explained, is closely tied to STEM identity—“being seen, recognized, and valued as a person who does science”—and is shaped by classroom dynamics, peer interactions, and faculty engagement. Negative experiences, such as being ignored in class or having one’s work dismissed in group projects, undermine that identity, while positive recognition and encouragement help students persist.

Drawing on research from the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP), Johnson shared findings from the multi-institutional study that included 233 women and 282 men from five central NY institutions. Women of color were more likely to report feeling ignored in class, experiencing racialized dynamics, and feeling less comfortable seeking help from instructors. They also reported lower confidence and higher levels of stress. At the same time, they placed greater value on minority STEM organizations and on “using their STEM degree to give back to their community.”

The talk underscored that these challenges reflect both individual experiences and systemic conditions. “Students are not the problem,” stressed Johnson. “If we could fix it by focusing on the students alone… we wouldn’t still be talking about underrepresented groups in science all these years later.”

Johnson identified Faculty as key change agents in shaping classroom climates, particularly through intentional group work design, mentoring, and early research opportunities. She concluded by emphasizing that fostering belonging is an institutional responsibility and invited attendees to continue the conversation.

Dr. Johnson is a Professor in the School of Education at Syracuse University. Her research focuses on the experiences of students of color in STEM majors at predominantly White institutions, with a special interest in women of color. She teaches courses on college student identity development and was a founding faculty member of the WiSE Women of Color in STEM program at SU. She was previously a Co-Principal Investigator for the Upstate Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (ULSAMP); Syracuse University served as lead institution for the institutions participating in the alliance.  Dr. Johnson earned her Ph.D. in Counseling and Personnel Services from the University of Maryland. 

This presentation was cohosted by the ESF Women’s Caucus; MOSA Intersectional Collective;  Office of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access; and the ESF Science Corps.

 

ESF Academics Open Up About Balancing Career and Family

 

Faculty, researchers, and graduate students share candid stories about childcare costs, dual-career challenges, and the strategies that help

Conversations about academic careers usually highlight publications, grants, and professional milestones. At a recent panel hosted by the ESF Women’s Caucus and Graduate Student Association, the focus shifted to the personal realities omitted from CVs: caregiving responsibilities and structural gaps in balancing work and family life.

Moderated by undergraduate student Bella Francisco (Biotechnology ’26), the conversation moved through childcare availability and cost, neurodiversity and disability-related needs, dual-career households, care of older family members, geographic distance from family, and pressures tied to soft-money positions and tenure timelines. Panelists PhD candidate Chloe Beaupre, Research Scientist Dr. Mark Eisenbies, Professor Emeritus Dr. Tom Horton, Associate Professor Dr. Brian Leydet, and Assistant Professor Dr. Danielle Kloster revealed less a checklist of “tips” than a portrait of how academic work bends around family life, and how often families are left to solve systemic problems on their own.

Childcare quickly emerged as a theme: finding, affording, and holding on

 “It is extremely difficult to find childcare in the Syracuse area—and everywhere” summarized Dr. Kloster.   Spaces for healthy children, with no or accessible intervention needs are limited community-wide, let alone those for kiddos with more complex health concerns.  Spots for infants are particularly scarce; preschool seats are more available, but the hours don’t always match student and faculty parents class, lab, and studio schedules.  And there is a hefty price-tag.

Chloe Beaupre: “We’ve been on a waitlist for childcare subsidies… We’re just bleeding money. And that’s a huge barrier.”

Dr. Leydet: “I don’t make enough to pay for daycare… my wife decided to stay home because it was the fiscally right thing to do—and it was completely incorrect for her career.” 

Unpredictability of foster placements compounds the already difficult task of securing childcare on short notice. Kloster: “With foster care, … you usually get a few hours’ notice, so it’s scrambling to try to find an open spot. I’ve called 20-plus daycares trying to get them a spot.…We’ve been pretty lucky that we [now] have really good, consistent daycare. But when the kids are sick, it does become a big mental load to figure out who it’s most appropriate to stay home in any given scenario.”

Care that is reliable and close to campus makes a world of difference. The short distance to Beaupre’s provider allowed her to nurse during a period when her infant wouldn’t take a bottle.  Now over that hurdle, she can focus on work knowing her child is in good hands.

For Horton, early childcare required logistics and improvisation. He described the careful teaching schedules he and Dr. Annette Krezner coordinated to pass their oldest child back and forth. He recalled learning years later that drop-off was harder and more stigmatized for Krezner than he realized at the time: their daughter cried far more when Krezner left.

Dual-Career Households and Geographic Isolation

Dr. Eisenbies reflected on how hard it can be to place two PhDs in the same region. He recalled accepting a prior position partly because there was also a role for his statistician wife—an offer that ultimately fell through, leading to the realization that: “If there’s not a job here for my wife, there’s not a job here for me.”

Leydet, who has no nearby family, described the toll of geographic isolation. He and his wife had their first date in two and a half years only recently, when his mother visited.  “I really wish I would have been closer to family. I think that would have been a lifesaver.”

Distance can also complicate care of older family members that require sudden, and sometimes ongoing care. Several panelists chose ESF to be closer to aging parents or injured in-laws after extended periods of frequent long drives to provide assistance.

Timing isn’t everything

Panelists pushed back on the trope that there is a single “right” time to have children. Carefully made plans can be upended by difficulty conceiving or carrying, an early arrival, or unexpected temporary or long-term care needs of those children, parents, or partners.

Kloster shared the mindset that has helped her stay grounded while raising young children and building toward tenure.  “I don’t want to waste my kid’s childhood working all the time, and I don’t want to waste my job stressing about it all the time. I want to enjoy it while I’m doing it.”

Beaupre pointed to what she sees as a toxic culture in academia around family, criticizing the practice of dedicating dissertations to children with apologies for missed bedtimes.  “This culture of treating academia like it’s just all that matters, and it should be all consuming, is so toxic. It’s a job. We have lives outside of it, and we do our jobs better when we can have that balance.”

Leydet cautioned against comparing productivity with colleagues, noting that he has witnessed this practice—even in formal tenure processes—and that it does particular harm to parents.  “Not comparing myself to others is really, really important, because everybody’s situation is different. No one is in your situation—don’t compare yourself to anybody else. Do what feels right, and keep moving forward.”

External support can be another lifeline. Horton described an NSF grant Kretzer secured that was structured to help trailing spouses find employment, calling it a model worth revisiting.  “You can apply for money—if you work it and shop around, find out who’s doing that kind of thing—and then use that as a leverage point with universities.”

Kretzer’s old friend was a critical source of support for Horton and Kretzer as her health declined.  Kristin visited weekly, and actively aided in increasingly physically and emotionally demanding care.

Beaupre credited new friends, in the form of on-campus groups (ESF Women’s Caucus and FamilyResources), for connecting her to daycare, and ongoing conversations.

What Works: Mentorship, Clear Expectations, and Communication

Kloster credited clear promotion and tenure expectations as a key source of stability.  “I know exactly how many papers I need to publish, how much grant money I need…  And that helps me to shut off at the end of the day.”

She also shared advice that resonated with her “to enjoy the work rather than dread the process.” She credited senior faculty not only with advising junior colleagues to avoid excessive service obligations, but also with stepping up to actively fill those roles.

Leydet advised junior colleagues to seek out mentors who have navigated parenthood in academia, rather than those who have not. “Mentorship was very important—identifying faculty members who had gone through what I wanted to go through and taking their advice. I still am at their doors every day, even as a tenured faculty member, seeking their advice as their children grow.”  Not all colleagues were helpful warned  Horton: “There were certain faculty that we learned were toxic themselves. And they would say things, and you just have to ignore it.”

Horton emphasized the importance of not waiting for a crisis to communicate openly with supervisors.  “You do not need to carry the burden of your job when major life issues like this are happening. They will at least give you the space to take care of it.”

Advice for Those in the “Hard Season”

Panelists offered encouragement to those simultaneously navigating the most demanding phases of academic life and early parenthood. “No one is in your situation,” said Leydet, urging “Don’t compare [yourself] to anybody else. Do what feels right and move that forward.”

Kloster reflected on setting boundaries.  “Something I’m working on is saying no more. It’s really hard right now, but it’s also the best job in the world, and there’s nothing else I’d rather be doing.”

Eisenbies, reflecting on what has sustained his marriage through years of uncertainty, focused on partnership.   “I just hope whoever’s listening that they meet somebody who has shared values with you. Every argument that we have ends with ‘I love you,’ even when we’re still annoyed with each other.”

Recommendations for the Academy

Beaupre offered concrete suggestions for institutional improvement: “Spring break at the university should match spring break in the school district….[More] grants should be able to have extensions [for family leave].”

Caregiver funding available to pre-tenure faculty attending conferences is not currently accessible to graduate students (or postdocs), a gap Beaupre described as inequitable given that graduate researchers are often at the prime age for starting families. 

In a nutshell:

•                     Childcare is the central constraint: availability and affordability drive daily logistics, career decisions, and stress.

•                     Support networks matter: being far from family amplifies challenges, especially with health and neurodiversity-related care needs.  Friends and community—including workplaces-- can be lifelines.

•                     Career structures can help or hurt: clear tenure/P&T expectations, travel support, mentoring, and funding flexibility reduce uncertainty; soft-money roles add instability;

•                     Boundaries and values are protective: prioritizing family time, saying no, and resisting comparison were recurring coping approaches.

Panelists’ experiences and recommendations point to the same goal: make family life less of a private obstacle course and more of a responsibility shared by institutions.

For campus and community resources, visit the Family Resources website

Women in STEM Panel Celebrates Diverse Career Journeys

Jill Rahn, Erica Wood, Sue Fassler, and Katherine Hobbs

SYRACUSE, N.Y., March 24, 2026 — The ESF Women’s Caucus hosted an intimate and energizing Women in STEM Panel Discussion and Mixer this week, bringing together students, employees, and alumni for an evening of candid storytelling, mentorship, and community building. Four accomplished ESF alumnae in science and sustainability fields shared personal, diverse career journeys – highlighting how perseverance, authenticity, and community support helped them navigate their education and professional development.

Moderated by student leaders Bella Francisco (Biotechnology ’26) and Chloe Beaupre (PhD candidate, Animal Movement and Spatial Ecology), the panel featured four ESF professionals whose diverse paths reflect the breadth of STEM careers:

• ·       Jill Rahn (BS 2015, Forest Ecosystem Sci; MS 2017 For Management), Forest Resources Analyst, Forest Properties, based at the college’s Heiberg Forest
• ·       Erica Wood (MS Env Biology 2025 Foci:  Botany, in partnership with Indigenous Nations), Plant Restoration Project Manager, Center for Native Peoples and the Environment
• ·       Sue Fassler (BS 2012 ,MPS 2014 Env Sci), ESF’s Director of Sustainability
• ·       Katherine Hobbs (MPS 2006 Env Comm & Participatory Processes), Contracts and Compliance Business Manager, Office of Sustainable Facilities & Operations

Diverse Paths: Panelists each illuminated a unique path in STEM. From transferring colleges or switching majors to returning to graduate school after a decade in the workforce, their stories showed that there is no single “right” path to success. Despite career pivots, detours, and even setbacks like layoffs and false starts, each speaker ultimately found a fulfilling role at their alma mater aligned with their passion for science and the environment. Their journeys underscored a common message: persistence, self-belief, and a supportive community can propel women to thrive in STEM.

Resilience and Authenticity in Focus: Throughout the discussion, themes of resilience and emotional authenticity took center stage. Panelists spoke openly about overcoming self-doubt and societal pressures in fields where women are often underrepresented. Jill Rahn candidly recalled a crisis of confidence she faced early in her career. By continually challenging herself – even taking on public speaking duties she once found daunting – Rahn transformed those nerves into new strength. “Practice… the things that make you the most uncomfortable,” she advised, noting that even if a challenge feels impossible at the beginning, it will get easier each time.

Embracing Emotional Intelligence as a Strength: “I would say that it is okay to be emotional,” added Sue Fassler, urging women never to hide their feelings in professional settings. “Let’s normalize having human moments in the workplace… It’s okay to feel emotions,” she said, emphasizing that empathy can be “a superpower… our capacity to feel.” Fassler’s point resonated with the audience, reinforcing a key sentiment of the night – that authenticity and passion are assets in leadership, not liabilities.

Mentorship and Community Support: Another recurring theme was the critical role of mentors and a supportive network. “If you’re able to, be really picky about your team. Try to work with people whose values align with yours. When you’re on a team that “gets” you and respects what you bring, it’s a lot easier to set boundaries and be yourself,” advised Erica Wood, who credited strong female mentors for much of her growth. Working with “really strong, supportive women” has made an enormous difference in her success, Wood noted. Jill Rahn likewise stressed the importance of women uplifting one another: “We women are really good at supporting each other, and we need to keep doing that. If you feel that pang of envy or self-doubt when you see another woman excel, use it as motivation. Turn it into a learning opportunity. But start with celebration. When one of us wins, we all do,” she observed, underscoring the event’s emphasis on community and mutual encouragement.  Hobbs reiterated this with “Find your niche and your allies, and keep doing the good work you’re doing.”

Challenges Persist for Women in STEM.  Panelists discussed experiences with being underestimated, talked over, or dismissed—especially early in their careers. They also spoke about navigating age dynamics, microaggressions, and the pressure to prove themselves.  Katherine Hobbs shared “learning how to grow a thick skin without becoming hardened—to grow a callus without becoming calcified. In other words, you do have to toughen up a bit—because the world isn’t always kind—but you don’t want to lose your empathy or become cynical.”

Self‑Care and Balance Are Essential: Speakers urged students to protect their well‑being, honor personal boundaries, and recognize that careers unfold in seasons. Wood reminded the audience that “Activism and STEM careers alike can be draining, so make sure you refill your own cup. In a world that often demands women to work harder for equal recognition, sometimes rest is a form of resistance. If you need to rest, listen to your body and rest.” 

Empowering the Next Generation: In closing remarks, Katherine Hobbs reminded attendees to lead with compassion and solidarity. “We can’t lose sight of [our] humanity… everything we do is about relationships; that’s what makes us strong,” Hobbs said, urging the next ge
neration of women in STEM to be “there for each other” and to pursue their careers with heart.  “Don’t lose sight of why you care.”  Following the panel, participants continued to share their stories and advice during an informal mixer over refreshments, embodying the supportive spirit that defined the night. 

About the Event: The Women in STEM Panel was organized by the ESF Women’s Caucus as part of its ongoing mission to foster community, mentorship, and empowerment for women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics at ESF. The uplifting discussion and networking mixer left the campus community and alumnae inspired – a testament to the strength of authenticity, resilience, and mutual support in shaping successful career journeys in STEM.

Refreshments were provided by the Mighty Oaks Student Assembly (MOSA) and the Auxiliary Services Corporation.

For more formal and informal opportunities to network, visit the program schedule at http://www.esf.edu/womenscaucus

SUNY Upstate Professor Urges Scientists to Embrace Civic Engagement Amid Rising Science Skepticism

 Sarah C. Reckess, J.D., HEC-C

In a compelling and timely address, Professor Sarah Reckess, SUNY Upstate Medical University, called on scientists to step beyond the lab and engage directly with their communities to combat growing public skepticism toward science.

Professor Reckess—a legal scholar and ethics consultant—shared personal stories and national data to illustrate the urgent need for scientists to become “civic scientists.”

“We know more science than any people in the history of the world,” Reckess said. “And yet, we’re seeing more uncertainty and skepticism than ever before. That’s a paradox we can’t ignore.”

Reckess opened with a personal anecdote about her pet goat, Pixie, who nearly died in 2020 when the deworming medication ivermectin was unavailable due to widespread misuse during the COVID-19 pandemic. “My goat needed this medicine, and there was none on the shelves,” she recalled. 

The story served as a springboard into a broader discussion about misinformation, the replication crisis in science, and the erosion of public trust. Reckess emphasized that while scientists are widely viewed as intelligent, only 45% of Americans consider them good communicators. “Here’s our problem,” she said. “We’re not just facing a trust crisis—we’re facing a communication crisis.”

She challenged scientists to rethink their role in society, urging them to engage in two-way conversations with the public. “What we thought communication meant was that we should just provide information. But there hasn’t been enough listening and collaborating,” she said.

Reckess highlighted the importance of civic engagement at all levels—from volunteering at school science fairs to briefing policymakers and even running for office. “Only 3% of state-level elected officials have a background in science, healthcare, or engineering,” she noted. “Wouldn’t it be great if there was a five in front of that number?”

She also offered practical advice for scientists looking to improve their outreach: “Can you explain your research in three sentences? Two? One? Can you remove the jargon and make it matter to someone who hasn’t been in school for 30 years?”

Despite the challenges, Reckess ended on a hopeful note. “The public wants to hear from you. They don’t necessarily want you to run the country, but they do want you whispering in the ears of those who do.”

For more information or to connect with Professor Reckess, she encourages students and colleagues to reach out: “Please don’t be a stranger. Email me or come down the hill—I’ll meet you for lunch if you want to talk.”

Recorded Presentation

About the Speaker:  Sarah C. Reckess, J.D., HEC-C, is an Assistant Professor at Upstate Medical University Norton College of Medicine in the Center for Bioethics and Humanities. Prof. Reckess works at the intersection of policy, law and bioethics and the on-call ethics consultant for area hospitals.

Professor Reckess earned her Juris Doctorate at Syracuse University College of Law, with a concentration in Family Law and Social Policy.  She is licensed to practice law in New York State and in the U.S. Supreme Court. She co- co-director of the Syracuse Medical Legal Partnership, a collaboration between the Center for Bioethics + Humanities, University Pediatric and Adolescent Clinic (UPAC), and Syracuse University College of Law. This interdisciplinary clinic places student attorneys in the pediatric clinic to address legal issues impacting child health outcomes, including unsafe housing related to lead, mold, and asthma.

About the series:

This event was part of the Adaptive Peaks Seminar Series, organized by ESF's Department of Environmental Biology, and the Women in Scientific and Environmental Professions (WiSE) Speaker Series, organized by the ESF Women’s Caucus. For upcoming events, please visit the college calendar.

Advice for navigating male dominated fields from women in STEM for women in STEM

By Rhia Henderson, Environmental Biology, MS ‘26

At the Women in STEM virtual event Director of ESF Alumni Relations, Debbie Caviness, interviewed four successful ESF alumni who have established themselves in STEM fields about their advice and challenges they’ve faced as women in STEM. This conversation took place on March 6, 2025, with Billie Holecek ’20, Valerie Wiehl ’16, Emily Booth ’21, and Ally Berry ’19.

During this conversation Caviness presented the alumnae with a variety of questions with a focus on the challenges that have overcome as women in male dominated STEM fields. Berry encouraged listeners to “make space for themselves and find mentorship” which the other speakers agreed with wholeheartedly. Another point of discussion was what the speakers would give as advice to women thinking of pursuing STEM field and what classes they had during their time at ESF that has supported them throughout their careers, to which each speaker gave complete and powerful responses from each of their varied perspectives. The classes highlighted by each speaker were individual to each of their majors, and included Energy Markets and Policy, Remote Sensing, Python Coding, and Mycology to state a few that the speakers noted as key classes that changed their perspectives. A common theme for advice across the speakers was to find allies in each space, maintain mentorship and networks, and to stand up for yourself (especially during negotiations).

Billie Holecek graduated from ESF in 2020 with a bachelor's in Sustainable Energy Management and a minor in Applied Statistics and Energy and Environmental Policy. She currently works for the Berkeley Lab as an Energy and Environmental Policy Researcher while completing her masters in Energy and Environmental Policy at University of Delaware.

Valerie Wiehl graduated from ESF in 2016 with a bachelor’s in Environmental Resources and Engineering where she was interested in engineering focused on water dynamics. In her professor career she had landed in robotics and now works as a Customer Success Engineering Lead for Nightingale Security, using drones that respond to calls under emergency circumstances.

Emily Booth graduated from ESF in 2021 with a bachelor’s in Forest Health where she worked with Dr. Dylan Parry on projects surrounding biological control methods. She now works for the city of Rochester as a Forestry Technician where she manages 1/3 of the 65,000 trees in the city.

Ally Berry entered ESF as a transfer student from Onondaga Community College and graduated in 2019 with a bachelor’s in Environmental Science with a specialization in watershed science. She now works as an Environmental Project Manager for LG Sonic US to monitor and mitigate harmful algal blooms around the US.

This discussion was part of the Women in Scientific and Environmental Professions (WiSE Professions) Speaker series as a special installment for Women’s History Month. It was presented jointly by the Alumni Association, Career Services, Admissions, and ESF Women’s Caucus.

As part of the requirements for FOR 797, Perspective on Career and Gender students share responsibility of reporting on a subset of class discussions, including those that are part of the Women in Scientific and Environmental Professions Speaker Series (WiSE Professions).

Fire can heal you!

Nisogaabokwe Melonee Montano,a graduate student at University of Minnesota, who works as a TEK Outreach Specialist and for the Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission, spoke at ESF about collaborating the natural and technical world's resources in order to save the land.

Montano discussed the connections between knowledge, cultures, climate change, and fire which can result in revitalization and healing. Montano illustrated the importance of and approach taken to weaving together Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and Western Science for Climate Change focused work at Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission. This work led to a similar approach being used when analyzing fire research on cultural lands of the Ojibwe people, and the unexpected outcomes.

Montano believes it is important to balance all aspects of life, and her work symbolizes the importance of being open minded when problem solving and looking for solutions.

About the speaker: Nisogaabokwe – Melonee Montano, is a mother, grandmother, and an enrolled member of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and the Traditional Ecological Knowledge Outreach Specialist for Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC) where she helps assess climate change impacts on treaty resources and potential threats to Ojibwe culture and lifeways. She is also a Grad Student at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities in the Natural Resources Science & Management Program under the Forestry Department. Prior to GLIFWC she was Red Cliff’s Environmental Programs Manager where she has also served on various committees including EPA’s Regional Tribal Operations Committee, Alliance for Sustainability, Treaty Natural Resources, the Integrated Resources Management Plan, and is currently serving on the Great Lakes Compact Commission. She holds a B.S. degree in Healthcare Administration with a Native American and Environmental Studies emphasis. Lastly and most importantly, she is a lifelong student of her cultural ways.

The presentation was jointly presented by the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment, the Adaptive Peaks Seminar Series (sponsored by the Department of Forest Biology), and the Women in Scientific and Environmental Professions Speaker Series (sponsored by the ESF Women's Caucus).

As part of the requirements for FOR 797, Perspective on Career and Gender students share  responsibility of reporting on a subset of class discussions, including those that are part of the Women in Scientific and Environmental Professions Speaker Series (WiSE Professions). The preceding was prepared by Liv Grogan, Ph.D. student in environmental chemistry.

Decolonizing and Indigenizing Environmental Justice

Dina Gilio-Whitaker, journalist and columnist who lectures at California State University San Marcos, studies American Indian justice and environmental policy issues. She discussed Indigenizing environmental justice at ESF on Wednesday April 26, 2023.

Gilio-Whitaker analyzed environmental injustice through the lens of American Indians, explaining that the package of  "Environmental racism" centers on "racism", which has not been broad enough for Indigenous communities.  She explained:  "Native People are people as nations with a relationship to the United States... not ethnic groups, we're people with political status, with this government to government relationship."  She stressed that settler colonialism set the stage for deeming Indigenous Nations as inferior, which still has implications to Native Peoples to this day. Gilio-Whitaker broke down the role of white supremacy in driving the environmental movement,  and how history has led to the lack in accountability, human displacement, and ecocide.  She continued: “American narratives of ‘progress’ and ‘modernity’ are experiences of death for American Indians.” She strives to raise awareness on decolonizing environmental justice by recognizing Indigenous relationships to land and incorporating Tradition Ecological Knowledge through co-management practices with Native Peoples.  

 Dina Gilio-Whitaker, Colville Confederated Tribes, is co-author of "All the Real Indians Died Off": And 20 Other Myths About Native Americans (Myths Made in America) with Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz and author of As Long as Grass Grows: The Indigenous Fight for Environmental Justice, from Colonization to Standing Rock. She is an independent consultant and educator of Indigenous policy and environmental justice related issues and is a lecturer at California State University San Marcos on American Indian Studies.

A recording is available https://video.syr.edu/media/t/1_1wbw2ama.   This event was sponsored by the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment, in partnership with Adaptive Peaks Seminar Series, sponsored by the Department of Environmental Biology, and the Women in Scientific and Environmental Professions Speaker Series,  sponsored by the SUNY ESF and the ESF Women's Caucus.  This event concluded the 2023 AP and WiSE Professions Series.

Information on the WiSE Speaker Series can be found at http://www.esf.edu/womenscaucus. Upcoming events and lectures at SUNY ESF can be found on the college’s calendar: https://www.esf.edu/calendar/ 

As part of the course requirements for FOR797 Perspectives on Career and Gender, students share  responsibility of reporting on speakers in the campus-wide Women in Scientific and Environmental Professions Speaker Series.  The preceding was prepared by Alyssa Colasanti, BS 2023,  Environmental Biology.

Limnology Underdogs: the local and global importance of pond ecosystems

Dr. Meredith Holgerson spoke at ESF about "Limnology Underdogs: the local and global importance of pond ecosystems" during a joint presentation of ESF's Adaptive Peaks Seminar Series  and the Women in Scientific and Environmental Professions Speaker Series on April 6.

Ponds are studied far less than larger water bodies, but they are globally abundant.  They are often viewed as smaller versions of lakes, but as Holgerson demonstrates, they are ecological hotspots with unique rates of interception and retention of nutrients and sediments, methane emission, and carbon storage, resulting in different functionality.

Dr. Holgerson is a freshwater ecologist and Assistant Professor, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at Cornell University.  She holds a BS from Denison University, MS from ESF (EFB; MP James Gibbs), and a PhD from Yale University's School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. She was previously an Assistant professor at St. Olaf Univeristy and completed a David H. Smith Conservation Research Postdoctoral Fellowship

A recording is available 
https://video.syr.edu/media/t/1_wsb6ivan.   This event was sponsored by the Department of Environmental Biology, SUNY ESF and the ESF Women's Caucus.  

Information on the WiSE Speaker Series can be found at http://www.esf.edu/womenscaucus. Upcoming events and lectures at SUNY ESF can be found on the college’s calendar: https://www.esf.edu/calendar/ 

ESF Alumni Provide Career Advice for Women in STEM

With diverse careers and unique backgrounds, ESF alumni provided advice and inspiration in a virtual panel focused on women working in STEM fields. The 2023 Women in STEM Careers Alumni Panel, a virtual event held on Thursday March 2, 2023, featured four outstanding female graduates of the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry: Dr. Danielle Berry, Senior Research Specialist with Dow Performance Silicones; Jocelyn Gan, Energy and Sustainability Specialist with NYU Langone Health; Meghan Hazer Álvarez, City Planner at the Baltimore City Department of Public Works; and Dr. Kerry Ryan, Attending Veterinarian at ViaGen Pets. The event was hosted by the ESF Office of Alumni Relations in honor of Womens’ History Month; Debbie Caviness, Director of Alumni Relations, moderated.  This event opened the 2023 Women in Scientific and Environmental Professions Speaker Series, with additional support of the Offices of Career Services and Admissions and the ESF Women’s Caucus.    

The discussion centered on experiences the alumni had at ESF that set them up for their current careers, as well as advice they could share for current college students, especially women looking to enter traditionally male-dominated STEM fields. All of the
panelists mentioned the importance of communication in their roles, speaki
ng up against stereotypes that scientists tend to be “lab rats” with “limited social skills.”  “A lot of times in my job, I am talking to people who don’t really speak my language, my jargon,” Berry said. “Being able to be a translator for science is very rewarding.” The women also noted that networks have been an especially rewarding and vital part of their careers, and discussed the importance of support systems in building their confidence within fields where they might be the only woman or person of color in the room. “Finding your voice is really important,” said Ryan, “and then once you’ve found it, it’s about helping others find theirs.” The alumni credited some of their confidence to the hands-on, real-world problems they were able to work on while at ESF, as well as to the open-minded community they found while in school there. “There’s no ego at ESF,” said Hazer Álvarez, “Everyone’s just focused on what we can do to move the world forward in a better way.” This mission was echoed by the other panelists, who noted that they’ve enjoyed seeing the world of science evolve over their time in the industry, and that they look forward to being some of the next-generation leaders who will continue to create space for future women, people of color, and other minorities in STEM careers.

Each of the four speakers is a graduate of SUNY ESF who has gone on to use her education, skills and passion in a unique and rewarding career. Berry graduated from ESF with a B.S. in Chemistry in 2015, and later pursued her Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of Texas at Dallas. After completing her Ph.D., she joined Dow Performance Silicones in the fall of 2020, where she now works as a Senior Research Specialist with a focus on application development for thermal management materials. Gan received an M.S. in Sustainability Management from Columbia University after graduating from ESF with a B.S. in Environmental Science in 2013, and now works as an Energy and Sustainability Specialist with NYU Langone, supporting its initiatives around sustainable food services, waste reduction, energy and resiliency management, and more. Hazer Álvarez received her B.A. in Landscape Architecture from ESF in 2006, and in 2013 received both an M.S. in Public Health from ESF and a Masters of Public Health from SUNY Upstate Medical University. She has worked on a variety of public and private projects relating to green infrastructure and public health and now serves as a City Planner for the city of Baltimore. Ryan graduated from ESF in 2006 with a degree in Environmental and Forest Biology before receiving her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Cornell University, and she now works as an Attending Veterinarian with ViaGen Pets, the global leader in pet and endangered animal cloning.

Current students can avail themselves of the services of Career Services and networking and mentorship opportunities with the ESF Women’s Caucus, student chapters of professional societies and cultural-based clubs, as well as leadership and other trainings through Student Affairs, Choose Action Network and the Office of Inclusion Diversity and Equity. Visit https://engage.esf.edu/events for upcoming student-centered programs. Prospective students can talk with advisors in Admissions or schedule a campus tour at https://www.esf.edu/admissions.

For more information about the ESF Alumni Association, please visit https://www.esf.edu/alumni. Information regarding upcoming public events within the ESF community can be found on ESF’s College Calendar, at https://www.esf.edu/calendar. 

As part of the course requirements for FOR797 Perspectives on Career and Gender, students share  responsibility of reporting on speakers in the campus-wide Women in Scientific and Environmental Professions Speaker Series.  The preceding was prepared by Sara Dreibelbis, M.S. student in Natural Resources Management, anticipated graduation May 2024.

To view the full recording, click below

Mentoring and networking continue!

Looking for life and career skills in about one hour a week?

Add Perspectives on Career and Gender! During this discussion-based 1-credit seminar,  learn about career paths, interviewing, mentorship, rights, negotiation, intersectionality, balancing work & life, #MeToo and more!  Gain skills in group facilitation, literature review, peer mentoring, and networking.  Tuesdays, 3:30-4:25 PM, Bray 324; during the weeks when WiSE Professions meets, those events will substitute for class.  Employees and un-enrolled students may also sit in.  Direct questions to Diane Kuehn (dmkuehn@esf.edu) and Heather Engelman (engelman@esf.edu).

Coffee Breaks!

Take a breather and give or gain insight into work or life challenges, while helping others.   Comparing notes can help us identify issues, share strategies and possible paths forward (or around).

Join in person in 110 Moon or online/phone in (register at https://syracuseuniversity.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMsd-Ggrz4rGNQkzp59XyKkzUM6GeHnFH2l) from wherever you happen to be on (mostly) 1st Fridays (2/3, 3/3, 4/14, 5/5) during the 11:40-12:35 class block, or 3rd Thursdays (2/16, 3/23, 4/20, 5/18),9:30-10:30am.   

WiSE Professions speaker series returns, with a combination of virtual and in person sessions:

• Women in STEM Alumnae Career Panel, with Alumni Association, Career Services, and others. Thursday, March 2, 7pm, virtual.
• Dr. Meredith Holgerson, EFB MS 2011, Assistant Professor, Ecology and Evolution, Cornell U, title TBD, with Adaptive Peaks,  Thursday, April 6, 3:45pm, 5 Illick
• Dr. Gina Dilio-Whitaker, on Indigenous Environmental Justice, with Center for Native Peoples and the Environment and others, Wednesday, April 26, 5pm, Gateway

 Pre-college Pipeline programs:

• Take our Kids to Work Day, Thursday, April 27, STEM exploration for 8-11 year olds with an adult that works or studies at ESF, regardless of the child’s gender or relationship to their adult.  Kids, grandkids, godkids, niblings, siblings, neighbors, and other connections are all welcome (on a space limited basis—this is a class day, so we are working in between other users of classrooms and labspaces, and presenters’ ongoing obligations).
• Girls’ Summit, Saturday May 20. Kids’ Day’s ‘big sister’, expanding STEAM exploration to 5^th-10^th graders in the community.  If you are looking for a program for a class you sponsor, youth group or scout troop, this is the program for your group! Annual collaboration of the YWCA of Onondaga County, C/STEP, and multiple on-campus partners (Open Academy, OIDE, Women’s Caucus).

ESF alumnae talk about their experiences in STEM careers

In recognition and celebration of Women’s History Month, four alumnae discussed their unique experiences in pursuing STEM careers in a panel facilitated by Debbie Caviness, Director of SUNY ESF Alumni Relations, on Wednesday, March 23, 2022. The panel addressed many topics, such as the stereotypes women face in STEM careers, negotiating salaries, networking, and what the female experience of working in male-dominated STEM fields was like. The ESF Alumni Association, Office of Admissions, Office of Career Services, and ESF Women’s Caucus jointly sponsored this panel. 

To view recording, click image

Christina Chan ’10, spoke about her experiences as both a female and a person of color as the owner and farmer of the Choy Division, a diversified 1-acre urban farm with a focus on east Asian crops and herbs. As a farmer in a field that is predominantly comprised of older white men, Chan felt insecurities due to being both a person of color and female. Starting out in her field, Chan braced for the worst and felt she needed to prove herself to other farmers, but over time began to realize that other people’s expectations don’t dictate an individual’s self-worth. Optimistically, Chan notes younger generations of farmers are becoming more diverse compared to their older generation counterparts. 

Kelley Corbine ’15, M'17, a forester with the US Forest Service (USFS) and wildland firefighter, faced similar experiences to Chan. In her work as a USFS forester, Corbine observes about 95% of the time in her work, she is the only female in the room. Like Chan, Corbine also felt the need to prove herself to male counterparts. As Corbine continued working, she realized she needed to treat herself kindly and reaffirm to herself that she deserved to be working with the USFS.

Keelin Gangwish ’19, a Pulp & Power Front Line Leader at the paper mill company Sylvamo, had a different challenge, as she works with people of diverse academic and social backgrounds. As a result of this, it was difficult for her to gain basic respect from her coworkers as a female worker. Gangwish recommends individuals to stand their ground, and to know their audience when it comes to addressing female stereotypes in the workplace. She also suggests to subtly guide other male coworkers to a desired outcome if they do not listen to advice. 

Gina Hale ’04, the Senior Director of Operations & Safety at Tufts Medical Center, advised others to ask questions and remain headstrong in topics individuals are confident in. Hale recounted a story of how she had to ask about flow dynamics to ensure the safety of a facility, demonstrating how it is acceptable to not know the answers to everything. In terms of salary negotiation, Hale advises others to not be afraid to ask how much other people make, and to use social networks to determine how much an individual should be making. 

Christina Chan received her B.S. in Environmental Science (focus on Health & the Environment) from SUNY ESF in 2010, and her M.S. in Conservation Science from the Imperial College London in 2013. Kelley Corbine received her B.S. in Natural Resource Management in 2015 and her M.S. in Forest and Natural Resources Management in 2017 from SUNY ESF. Keelin Gangwish received her B.A.Sc. in Paper Engineering in 2019 from SUNY ESF. Gina Hale received her B.S. in Chemistry in 2004.

For more information about the WiSE Professions Series, please visit http://www.esf.edu/womenscaucus.  For upcoming events, please visit ESF’s College Calendar at http://www.esf.edu/calendar.   

As part of the course requirements for FOR797 Perspectives on Career and Gender, students share  responsibility of reporting on speakers in the campus-wide Women in Scientific and Environmental Professions Speaker Series.  The preceding was prepared by Scott Dai, MS student, Sustainable Resources Management, Forest Natural Resources Management.