Author: adamsh

Written by Beth Anne Johnson, College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences

In celebration of Engineers Week, women in the College of Engineering, Computing, and Applied Sciences created and enhanced their communities. Alongside student organizations, the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and Alpha Omega Epsilon (AOE), the Department of PEER/WISE celebrated WISE Connections – Women In Nuclear (WIN) Night with Duke Energy on Monday, February 22^nd at 5:00 pm.

Women from across the institution listened as the Duke Energy Women In Nuclear (WIN) network from Oconee Nuclear Station shared their undergraduate experiences and journeys to becoming wise women in the nuclear industry. Six women from Duke Energy were on the call: Svetlana Cartner, Mikayla Kreuzberger, Jessi Link, Spenser Pasqua, Greta Sparks and Kerry Thompson.

“We want college students with STEM backgrounds to know about employment opportunities available with Duke Energy and its nuclear power plants, including Oconee Nuclear Station,” said Mikayla Kreuzberger, Duke Energy corporate communications consultant for Oconee Nuclear Station. “We cannot achieve our company’s aggressive carbon reduction goals without nuclear power – our largest generator of carbon-free electricity in the Carolinas and for our company. We’re going to need today’s young minds to help us meet those goals for the future.”

Additionally, Kreuzberger mentioned that nuclear power plants are economic drivers for their communities, providing thousands of well-paying jobs, significant tax revenues, partnership opportunities and other benefits.

Duke Energy’s Oconee Nuclear Station is located just 20 miles north of Clemson’s campus. The three-unit power plant produces electricity for roughly two million homes; it offers great employment opportunities for alumni desiring to make the upstate their home. Chair of Oconee’s WIN organization and panelist, Jessi Link, is a 2007 Mechanical Engineering alumna and a Duke Energy senior reactor operator for Oconee Nuclear Station.

“I’ve been there 13.5 years now,” says Link. “I did 7 years in the engineering department…then I wanted to do something more hands on, so Operations was a good fit while still using my engineering experience and knowledge.”

The Q & A style panel ranged from career experience to more personal questions like work life balance and managing adversity. Panelists were asked, “Most of the students might experience being the only woman in their class. What words of encouragement do you have to share?”.

Pasqua encouraged the young women to think of their feminine identities as a superpower. “You can see both the extreme details, alongside the big picture. Never underestimate the importance or ability of seeing both on a project.” Other topics included industry transitions, becoming the first in their families to become engineers and much more.

“The women of Duke Energy did a phenomenal job,” shares Serita Acker, Executive Director for PEER/WISE. “They reminded our students that they too struggled in their studies but are now successful women in industry. We are so thankful to have them as an advocate of PEER/WISE and our education outreach programs like Project WISE, a weeklong summer camp for 7^th and 8^th grade students.”

Many students were moved by the panelists’ recognition of their stories, especially when they took a moment to be proud of their journeys. WISE mentor, Kelli Trotter, tells, “I got emotional just hearing their stories, especially Svetlana’s. Sometimes as female engineers we feel this need to hide our emotions, but it really is important to recognize all that we have achieved.”

“Research shows that an effective tool we can use to help students develop resiliency, especially for those underrepresented in STEM fields, is to give them opportunities to engage with mentors that share their identities, be it: race, ethnicity, gender, abilities, orientation, roles and so much more,” explains Beth Anne Johnson, associate director for WISE. “It reminds female and underrepresented minority students, ‘You belong here’ and that is exactly the message PEER/WISE strives to deliver.”

Did you miss the celebration and want to hear more? Check out the video below to view the WIN event.

Written by Maegan Hinson, CECAS Outreach Coordinator

PEER & WISE hosted our annual STEM Day event this past Saturday, February 20th. Over ninety middle school students from across the country joined us via Zoom for a day of exploring engineering. Primarily from underrepresented backgrounds, these students were able to meet and chat with current PEER mentors. Our mentors shared their stories of how they came to choose engineering as a major and the people who inspired them along the way. Representatives from Boeing and the US Army, our sponsors for STEM Day, were able to join us to share about their company and the career opportunities for engineers there. Because of their sponsorship, we were able to make STEM Day an all-inclusive experience, providing each student with all the materials needed to participate in each of the hands-on activities.

Throughout the event, students participated in 4 hands-on activities led by Clemson students from the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences (CECAS). The Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Department’s Outreach Team, led by Varun Gopal and Zachariah Pittman, used a recipe for slime to teach students about chemical engineering. Students were provided 2 materials, color-changing glue and slime activator liquid. They investigated the properties of each substance as they observed changes in the color and feel of the materials. They learned how chemical engineers use different substances to design new materials based on human factors and needs.

The Society of Women in Engineers, led by Laura Stuart, introduced students to the concepts of bioengineering as it relates to medicine. Students participated in a hands-on experiment to test the effectiveness of coatings for pills. They discussed the importance of this as it relates to our overall health. Students were also able to hear from a recent bioengineering alum, Cassidy Barringer, who shared her experience at Clemson and her transition to industry as an Associate Clinical Specialist in Electrophysiology at Abbott.

Helena Upshaw, a Computer Science major, and Annie Woofter, an Electrical Engineering major, lead the session on computer science. They introduced coding as it related to making animals dance on the website hourofcode.org. Students were able to see how to set up steps in this program and how it related to the language of computers. They were also able to hear from Natalie DellaMaria, a recent Computer Science graduate, who now works for Tesla.

The last session was led by Kathryn Cooke, a current Clemson student who is interning with NASA. In this session, students learned about the world of NASA and how engineers work to make it possible to explore outer space. They completed an activity to learn about the placement of planets and how it relates to space exploration.

Although students were not able to attend the event on campus this year, this virtual environment proved to be beneficial in many ways. We were able to bring in alumni who were working in different parts of the country. Students from many different states were able to attend our event and hear about the great opportunities that Clemson’s College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences could offer them. Parents were also able to connect with us, hopefully to begin forming a relationship that will last through the coming years.

Dear PEER & WISE family,

Season’s greetings! As 2020 ends, we hope you take a moment to rest and reflect on an incredibly challenging year. Looking back on this historic fall, the word resiliency comes to mind. Resiliency is not a new phrase to our PEER & WISE family, but it is certainly a skillset that we have practiced and refined during this season.

We want to congratulate our students for their hard work and perseverance. We delight in your success and commend you for daring greatly as you invest in your bright futures. This spring, we look forward to seeing you thrive and welcoming you back on campus.

For our graduates, we hope you hear our cheers as you begin your careers or advance your studies. Graduation is a monumental moment of celebration. Each one of you are going to do a world of good and we cannot wait to see where your knowledge takes you.

To our alumni, we miss you tremendously and we hope this message finds you and yours well. We equally delight in your success and seeing you thrive. Please know that whether you are near or far, your Clemson family is always here for you.

As we prepare for the 2021 year, the team and I are setting grand goals, but we need your help. No matter where you are in your Clemson journey, a current student, recent graduate or alumni, PEER & WISE wants to hear from you. If you would, please take 10 minutes to share how PEER & WISE has impacted your Clemson experience. Together, we will use this knowledge to better our program, enhancing student experiences for years to come. Thank you for your time and support of your PEER & WISE family!

Go Tigers!

Serita Acker, Executive Director

Link to PEER WISE survey:

https://www.cognitoforms.com/CECAS2/PEERWISEReflectionSurvey

Maegan Hinson, College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences
December 11, 2020

PEER mentors are Clemson upperclassmen who are focused on leadership and inspiring younger students as they work towards a degree in engineering or computer science. These mentors know the importance of sharing their experience with the next generation of students, especially those that would not otherwise hear about STEM careers. Throughout the year, the PEER & WISE office sponsors multiple outreach events and activities. This year’s events have looked much different, due to COVID, but that has not stopped our mentors from being involved and getting the word out about engineering.

Six PEER mentors spent two Saturdays this fall leading a group of young men in STEM activities via Zoom. These young men were from a group called Building Beyond the Wall, an initiative started by a former educator who saw the need for mentorship beyond the walls of traditional structures.

Angela Wright says of her program, “Our mission is to develop leaders in the community through mindset, motivation and mentorship using science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM).”

During these Saturday events, the PEER mentors led the students in video activities produced by the EXPLORE Mobile Lab. In the first activity, students built a bridge out of popsicle sticks and tested its stability. The second activity introduced students to nuclear engineering and the basic chemistry behind it. The goal of these activities was to make connections to the students and their interests, showing them the importance of math and science.  The mentors wanted to share their passion for engineering and inspire others like them to set high expectations for themselves.

On his motivation behind participating in outreach events, PEER mentor Kwajo Boateng said, “Outreach is so vital to me because it gives me the opportunity to impact students who look like me. Allowing them to participate in STEM activities that utilize real problem-solving skills is my way of planting a seed that will hopefully propel them toward success.”

Tyler Turman, another PEER mentor, also weighed in on his motivation to promote STEM. He said, “Participating in events like these helps break the mold for what a scientist looks like. It promotes diversity and inspires students to become anything they want!”

Angela Wright said of the PEER mentors, “They are definitely an exceptional group of young men. We had a great time together. The mentees really enjoyed talking to them. They have made connections with the mentees and offered amazing advice with each encounter.”

Because of the passion for outreach shown by the PEER mentors, these younger students see the possibilities that go along with a degree in STEM.

Written by Beth Anne Johnson, College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences

From summer camp to college freshman, Skyler Holland is back on campus to craft a bright future and create success. Hailing from Hampton, South Carolina, Holland joins the 4200 first-year students on campus this fall as a general engineering student in the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences.

Inspired by her days as a middle school camper, Holland is working hard and studying often in hopes of joining the Holcombe Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. “I was inspired by the solar panel robots we built during Project WISE,” she explains, “I loved taking it apart, studying the mechanics and piecing it back together.”

As a part of the educational outreach programs, PEER & WISE hosts 60 middle school students each summer. The campers then participate in the foundations of engineering, computing and applied science with hands-on and engaging opportunities taught by Clemson University faculty.

“The faculty are an integral part of our success at Project WISE,” says Serita Acker, executive director of PEER & WISE, “They join us in celebrating diversity and inclusion in STEM education and even more so, that these fields are fun and for everyone.”

Holland’s experience from camper to college freshman demonstrates the viability of these engagement opportunities with young students. Holland shares, “I knew Clemson was the place for me. It felt like home then, and it feels like home now.”

“We love to hear stories like Skyler’s,” shares Beth Anne Johnson, associate director of the WISE Program. “It lets us know we are doing our part to recruit and retain South Carolina’s best and brightest students.”

Holland joins the Clemson family during unprecedented times, but as Johnson shares, Holland seems well adjusted and making the most of her first year at Clemson. “We met over Zoom and enjoyed getting to know one another! Skyler expressed how she would like to help with Project WISE in future summers and I could not be more delighted. How powerful it would be for young campers to hear her story!”

Plans for Project WISE are already in the works with camp counselor applications opening February 2021. Without a doubt, PEER & WISE is looking forward to serving a new cohort of campers. For more information about our Project WISE camp, visit our website.

CLEMSON, S.C. – Clemson University student Nia Grant has a higher purpose for her cosmetics company than merely selling skincare products.

“I want to help change the narrative for women in STEM,” said Grant, a junior in the College of Science’s Department of Chemistry.

Grant founded Purpose Cosmetics Co. after spending summer 2019 working at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Lab during an internship she landed through PEER & WISE, a pair of programs at Clemson dedicated to recruiting and retaining students from underrepresented groups into science and engineering fields.

“I had seen science in the classroom but being immersed in the world was different. I enjoyed the aspect of the research and learning what to do,” said Grant, who hails from McDonough, Georgia.

But while renewable energy is a hot research topic, it wasn’t something in which Grant was particularly interested. Beauty and skincare were, though, and she combined this interest with her chemistry background to start Purpose Cosmetics. “I don’t think this would have happened if I hadn’t gone to the DOE and learned about research, and what I do and do not like,” she said.

Grant, who credits her love of chemistry to the passion and enthusiasm her 10th-grade chemistry teacher displayed for the subject, said some women might not consider STEM because of dated stereotypical images of chemistry and scientists.

“Those images are not necessarily the case. It’s also people like me who create cosmetics,” she said. “That sounds like a dream job, at least for me. The products we use every day, like the lotions we put on our bodies and the products we put on our faces, somebody has to create those. There’s a lot of science behind it, and I think science can be fun.”

Grant said as Purpose Cosmetics grows, she hopes it will energize young women about STEM by showing them science “can be whatever you make of it because everything around us, the products we use every day, involve chemistry.”

Purpose Cosmetics specializes in skincare products such as body butters and scrubs, and lip scrubs and glosses.

When Grant is creating her products, she puts what she’s learned at Clemson and through her two internships to work. She begins by researching what’s already on the market, consumer likes and dislikes, and potential ingredients. Next, she determines what she can change or add to improve the product and differentiate her product from the others to give Purpose Cosmetics a competitive edge.

“I really like the research aspect of it,” said Grant, who spent the past summer interning with the multibillion-dollar consumer product manufacturer Procter & Gamble conducting consumer market knowledge research for the company’s digestive health portfolio.

Once Grant completes her research for a new body care product, she has to source the ingredients and develop a formula through trial and error. After that, she gets feedback from family and friends and refines the process to get the final product. She manufactures her products at her home near Atlanta and distributes them from Clemson.

It can take months for a product to go from idea to be ready for sale.

“What I’ve learned at Clemson, I’ve been able actually to put into practice in my business,” she said, from learning to interpret scientific research and the importance of precise measurement to how to keep ingredients at the right temperature and sanitary during the manufacturing process.

She sells her products online and through local markets, such as those sponsored by the Arthur M. Spiro Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership.

Nekita Sullivan, a Clemson alumna who knows the difficulty women of color face when opening a small business, has also helped, allowing Grant to hold a pop-up shop in her store in downtown Clemson.

A weekend trip she took with a sorority sister was Sullivan’s impetus to open the Butterfly Eco Beauty Bar. The sorority sister said she owned a business in her field of study, but she wanted to have another for fun. The idea intrigued Sullivan, who thought back to her time as a student at Clemson when she and her friends would have to drive to Greenville, Seneca or Anderson to get their hair done and buy Black beauty products.

Sullivan decided to open a multiethnic salon and day spa in downtown Clemson where people of all races could go to get their hair and nails done under one roof.

Sullivan signed a lease in 2017 for the space that was a one-block walk from campus. Opening was a three-year marathon. Sullivan struggled to get traditional financing, so she used the income from her physical therapist job, savings, and even tapped her retirement and credit equity lines.

Butterfly Eco Beauty Bar eventually opened this past Valentine’s Day. However, the COVID-19 pandemic began to accelerate soon after, and South Carolina ordered salons to close. While salons have since been allowed to re-open, Sullivan lost all of her employees and remains closed.

“I have to start all over again,” she said.

But remaining closed doesn’t mean the rent isn’t due each month. Desperate to generate some revenue, Sullivan pivoted and started holding small-group yoga classes in her shop. She also offers space to students and young entrepreneurs who don’t have a brick-and-mortar place to sell their products.

“They have a business but don’t have the space. I have the space but don’t have a business,” Sullivan said.

Her first pop-up featured Purpose Cosmetics Co. and Grant, who had attended the beauty bar’s grand opening and given Sullivan a sample of one of her products.

“I was so impressed by Nia,” Sullivan said. “It’s tough to become an entrepreneur. It was difficult for me as an adult. But doing it as a student? It impressed me that Nia had the courage and bravery even to try.”

Grant said she eventually wants to have a larger production space and hire a team to make manufacturing her products more efficient. One day, she wants Purpose Cosmetics to be in a retail space.

“Sometimes you don’t know what’s out there, what’s possible until you see it,” Grant said. “When I met Nekita and saw what she did, I realized I could do something like this one day for Purpose. If she could do it, I can do it, too.”

On November 7th, the departments of PEER & WISE hosted our annual recruitment event, Sneak Preview. This year the event was held virtually due to COVID-19. There were 82 high school juniors and seniors from across the country that joined us via Zoom to hear about the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences.

Upon joining the session, participants were greeted by Mrs. Serita Acker, Executive Director of PEER & WISE as she explained our support programs and our focus on retaining students in the fields of STEM. Dr. Oliver Myers, Associate Dean of Diversity and Inclusion, introduced the students to the STEM Scholars program for students interested in working toward a terminal degree in STEM.

Following the welcome session, Amy Burke and Phillip Lyew-Daniels led sessions on financial aid and admissions. Students were especially thankful for their willingness to answer questions and give them specific deadlines for scholarships and admissions.

After these general sessions, students were introduced to CECAS and the majors that are offered within our college. They were given the chance to talk to our PEER & WISE mentors about life as a student and how things have been different in this virtual environment. They were also able to hear about opportunities such as study abroad and co-op/internships.

After the student panel, students were split into 3 breakout rooms, where the PEER & WISE mentors led discussions of more specific majors. They gave the prospective students virtual tours of their department while showing them a day in the life of an engineering or computer science student. This part of the program was the most popular in terms of information and student engagement.

After the program, many students indicated their increased interest in applying to and hopefully attending Clemson to attain a degree in STEM. They appreciated the time spent getting to know the PEER & WISE mentors, as that is what set this program apart from other virtual events.