Submitted by sws139
on
2025 Black in STEM
Undergraduate Students
Major and degree pursued: Planetary Science and Astronomy, bachelor of science
Prospective graduation year: 2025
Experience: undergraduate researcher, with Lucas Brefka, Penn State Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics (fall 2024–present)
Connect: Email
Black History Month to me is the month that highlights Black excellence. For many years, Black people and our accomplishments might have been overlooked, especially so in STEM fields. Black History Month brings awareness to Black people, our accomplishments, and our resilience.
I think that it is so important for Black people in STEM to be Black people in STEM. Growing up, I did not have an abundance of role models in the field that I was interested in who looked like me, and I am where I am today because I am resilient and I do not mind if I sit in a room where there is not an abundance of people who look like me. But I think of the little Black girls and boys who will have one more person who looks like them to look up to and show them that they can do it, too, when I accomplish what I am setting out to accomplish.