Elements to Successful Motherhood and the Professoriate

Abstract

As a college student pursuing a major in chemistry, I struggled with the idea of whether it would ever be possible to one day be a successful chemist and have a family. I did not have any role models of women who had pursued academic careers in science and had a family. I wrestled that I would have to make a choice and that having a family and a successful academic career would never be possible. I have been fortunate to have both, and through the journey of rising through the ranks of the professoriate I have learned that while the path may not be easy, it is doable and it is a rewarding experience that brings about many learning moments both professionally and personally. I have also been called to leadership in administrative roles at my institution, and through that I have learned how to rebalance my strategies for success in order to maintain an active research lab and continually train students. Importantly, I have also been a wife, mother, daughter, sibling, aunt, and friend. In this chapter, I share my story.

About the Author

Education and Professional Career

1998:

BS Chemistry (Minor in Biology) (cum laude), West Virginia State University, Institute, WV

2002:

PhD Inorganic/Analytical Chemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC

2002–2004:

Camille and Henry Dreyfus Postdoctoral Fellow (Environmental Chemistry), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

2004–2009:

Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI [Professional leave 2007–2008, Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina Charlotte, Charlotte, NC]

2007:

Adjunct Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI

2009–2014:

Associate Professor of Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI

2009–2016:

Graduate Advisor, Department of Chemistry, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI

2011–2016:

Associate Chair, Department of Chemistry, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI

2014–present:

Professor of Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI

2015–2016:

Interim Associate Dean for Research, College of Arts and Sciences, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI

2016–Present:

Associate Vice President for Research, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI

Honors and Awards (Selected)

2013:

Named one of the top 25 women professors in the State of Michigan by Online Schools Michigan

2012:

President’s Award, National Organization for the Professional Development of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers

2012–2013:

Emerging Scholar Award, Western Michigan University

2012:

Faculty Achievement Award in Professional and Community Service, College of Arts and Sciences, Western Michigan University

2012, 2011, 2010:

Science Spectrum Magazine Trailblazer Award

2010:

American Competitiveness and Innovation Fellowship, Division of Materials Research, National Science Foundation

2010:

Lloyd N. Ferguson Young Scientist Award

2009:

George Washington Carver Teaching Excellence Award

2009:

International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry Young Observer Award

2007:

Carl Storm Minority Fellowship, Gordon Research Conference

2007:

American Chemical Society PROGRESS/Dreyfus Lectureship Award

2007:

American Chemical Society Leadership Development Award

2006–2012:

National Science Foundation CAREER Award

In addition to her research and editorial service in the field of nanomaterials, Sherine is a member and active volunteer for the American Chemical Society and the National Organization for the Professional Development of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers.