Inspired by social justice issues within the sciences, biology major Nyssa Krull started the Women in STEM club at North Park. The club, which already has 131 members, held its first meeting in October.
Krull will lead the bimonthly discussion-based meetings at the Johnson Center, along with workshops, mentorship opportunities, and group trips to STEM-focused institutions.
鈥淚 want this to be an environment that encourages conversations about the inequities women face in STEM-related fields,鈥� Krull says. 鈥淚 also hope to foster the growth and empowerment of students as they explore their future careers.鈥�
Some of the topics Krull anticipates discussing include wage and hiring disparities in science fields among minorities and women and motherhood in STEM.
Krull began as a nursing student at North Park, and the journey to finding her passion culminated in Dr. Drew Rholl鈥檚 microbiology class.
鈥淭hrough Dr. Rholl鈥檚 microbiology class, another world opened up for me and changed my academic trajectory entirely,鈥� says Krull, who hopes to attend graduate school for microbiology. 鈥淚 know it sounds weird to be fascinated by bacteria and viruses, but I just love issues that impact people.鈥�
Krull, mother to two young children, is grateful to the supportive faculty at North Park, who have helped her juggle her busy schedule.
鈥淭he one-on-one relationships I have with my professors allow them to know where I鈥檓 at within my learning,鈥� Krull says.