石榴直播

KENNESAW, Ga. | Oct 12, 2022

Several themes were present throughout Monday鈥檚 Women in Science Forum on 石榴直播鈥檚 Marietta Campus: work hard, accept all opportunities, and advocate for yourself and others. 

The forum, organized by 石榴直播鈥檚 , helped kick off a week of events celebrating the upcoming investiture of Kathy Schwaig, Kennesaw State鈥檚 sixth president and third female in the University鈥檚 history. 

鈥淭here is no better way for us to mark this investiture week than to hear from these four incredibly accomplished female scientists and leaders,鈥� said Phaedra Corso, vice president for research. 鈥淭heir accomplishments demonstrate that there are no limitations to the potential for women to excel in any discipline.鈥�

The panelists represented an array of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. They discussed challenges faced throughout their careers and how they overcame them, attributes that make good leaders, and how important it is for students and young professionals to have a mentor. They were also asked about advice they would give to students.

Komal Patel, a senior manager at Lockheed Martin, emphasized the importance of not having regrets and being eager about accepting opportunities.

鈥淪ay 鈥榶es鈥� to every opportunity, because each one will teach you something about yourself, your skills, and your goals,鈥� Patel said.

Nancy Messonnier, Dean of the Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a former senior leader at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said everyone experiences challenges in their career but it鈥檚 important to stay true to yourself.

鈥淵ou have moments in your life when you decide who you are and what you鈥檙e going to do next,鈥� Messonnier said. When asked about advice she would give to students, Messonnier said to engage with faculty members, because they are eager to mentor students and help them achieve their dreams.

When asked about mentorship, the group discussed how important it is for leaders in industry and academic settings to advocate for other women.

鈥淗elping women remove that cloud of doubt they may have about their skills or experience goes a long way,鈥� said Marija Mikic, senior engineering director in YouTube Ads and site lead for Google Los Angeles.

Stacey Young-McCaughan, who currently serves as Director of Research for the STRONG STAR Consortium at University of Texas Health San Antonio鈥檚 School of Medicine and retired from the Army in 2008 after serving 29 years as an Army Nurse Corps Officer, encouraged women to never discount themselves in male-dominated fields.

鈥淲e all face challenges, but I have not felt discounted for being a woman,鈥� Young-McCaughan said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 give up on my ideas, and I think that鈥檚 a good attitude to keep in mind. You might have a great idea in your career, and the timing might not be perfect, but your opportunity will come and you need to be ready to seize that opportunity.鈥�

For the first time in 石榴直播鈥檚 history, female students make up the majority of the incoming freshman class, the entire undergraduate student body, and the graduate student body.

鈥淪ince 石榴直播鈥檚 in 2018, women have played an increasingly prominent role in the research undertakings of the University,鈥� Corso said, noting that 57% of last year鈥檚 in the Office of Undergraduate Research were women.

Several students attended the forum, including freshman major Alyssa Dance, who felt inspired after the discussion.

鈥淚t was interesting to hear from women who have difficult careers, but who had similar messages for women interested in science,鈥� said Dance, who hopes to attend medical school. 鈥淚 aspire to have their confidence.鈥�

The event concluded with a reception, sponsored by the , in honor of Schwaig鈥檚 presidential investiture, which will be held on Thursday, Oct. 13.

鈥�  Abbey O鈥橞rien Barrows
Photos by Matt Yung and Darnell Wilburn

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, 石榴直播 offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.