Student's experience exemplifies opportunities at COD

The first time I met College of DuPage student and Naperville resident Josie Suter, she asked for an appointment to see me.

As the new president of the Engineering and Technology Club, Josie wanted to discuss being a leader. What impressed me during our initial conversation was her mindful understanding of the need for strong leadership skills. During the past year, I have watched her build upon these attributes to great effect.

As we celebrate Women's History Month, I want you to meet Josie. She is a reflection of so many of our engaged women students at the college.

In some ways, Josie is a typical college student, always ready with a smile and an infectious laugh that exudes youthfulness. She also personifies the impact that College of DuPage can have on a student, especially someone willing to take advantage of the many available opportunities.

For Josie, this has included assuming leadership roles, essentially as a college sophomore, in positions usually held by juniors and seniors at four-year institutions.

Josie also is a woman pursuing a STEM-related career and participates in College of DuPage's Engineering Pathways program, which guarantees admission to the College of Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

She also is considering other top-notch universities. As a woman in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), she is proving to be a respected role model for other women and is spearheading efforts to interest students in middle school, high school and college in STEM careers.

You may be surprised to hear that Josie initially did poorly in math in her younger learning years, but she felt differently about science when she took physics as a freshman at Nazareth Academy.

"My interest in science was more of a gradual realization that I had a talent in it," said Josie, whose dad is a mechanical engineer. "My science teacher said my brain was like a sponge."

One of Josie's gifts is her varied interests that include reading and the humanities. This allows her to understand creativity in realistic ways, which is important for people to know about students in STEM fields.

"People do not think of STEM as being as creative as writing or art," Josie said. "But it is creative. Problem solving is about thinking in new ways. When you are in the robotics lab, for example, you are combining your technical skills with your imagination, which, for me, is cool."

As president of the Engineering and Technology Club, she spearheaded a new initiative that invited home-schooled students from kindergarten through high school to the College of DuPage campus for a series of hands-on events.

For example, a recent space exploration-themed engineering event included presentations and projects in biotechnology, chemical engineering, computer science and robotics.

After an initial internship at Argonne National Laboratory last summer, Josie is still at Argonne as an intern, where she is part of both team and independent research. She currently is a member of the college's chapter of the Society of Women Engineers and recognizes the need to attract more women to STEM.

"I don't want to push anyone toward a career. Instead, I want to spark a desire in young women to learn STEM," she said. "If they see me studying science and I can help them understand what it takes, then hopefully they can envision themselves on the same path and pursue it.

"Right now, I am the only woman in the Engineering Pathways Program. I have many male friends in the program, but it can feel lonely. I do have female friends who are studying STEM-related subjects and we do push each other."

Situations like this can present a sentimental conflict. You may feel alone in a pursuit. At the same time, intellectual friendships and social camaraderie with your colleagues are important to have and enjoy.

I consider Josie a role model, even if she may not see it fully.

"I try to be a role model in ways other than getting good grades. I have three younger brothers, and I want them to see the possibilities that exist and learn how to pursue them. Because of my interest in education, I may become a professor of physics or engineering so I can have a broad and intimate impact on the futures of our world-molding students."

I am proud of Josie. She combines competence with confidence and is constantly asking herself how to get better. She understands how to lead to be optimally successful. She also understands that some skills change from role to role and that you must be adaptable.

Josie represents what College of DuPage can offer any student, whether it is leadership opportunities, hands-on experiences in classrooms and labs, or taking high-level STEM courses that help you transfer into prestigious programs. By maximizing her time at the college and optimizing her relationships, Josie is creating the foundation for a highly successful career - one that I am sure will lead to great things.

• Ann Rondeau is president of the College of DuPage. During the school year, her column appears monthly in Neighbor.