Elizabethtown College Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major Samantha Small ’26 recently attended the American Chemical Society (ACS) Leadership Institute in Houston, Texas from Jan. 31 to Feb. 2.
Small was selected to attend as one of 15 Student Chapter Leaders from more than 200 applications. The secretary of the Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society at Etown, Small had the opportunity to network with other Student Chapter Leaders from institutions around the world.
At the American Chemical Society (ACS) Leadership Institute, Small had the chance to network with peer leaders from student ACS chapters around the world.
She was also able to speak with 14 board members of the ACS, including the Immediate Past President, President, and President-Elect of ACS.
“I am very eager to utilize my new skills, knowledge, and connections to strengthen the ACS Student Chapter at Elizabethtown College by engaging the student body in more volunteer opportunities, creating events to develop professional skills, and connecting our students with ACS resources,” Small said. “I know the leadership skills and connections I developed in this workshop will be useful even after I graduate and pursue my career aspiration of becoming a professor.”
In addition to her networking experiences, Small attended a variety of presentations hosted by the Younger Chemists Committee and attended workshops about professional networking, engaging and motivating volunteers, and accessing ACS resources for student chapters.
Around 400 people attended the Institute, including professors, graduate students, high school teachers, and industry employees.
“Being able to meet people pursuing careers and leadership positions that I had no prior connection with expanded my perspective on different paths within chemistry,” Small said.
By developing and fine-tuning critical thinking skills through intentional course work (both in the classroom and especially in the laboratory), Etown Biochemistry and Molecular Biology majors develop hands-on laboratory skills sought after by both employers and graduate programs. Discover more.
