Photography by LORI SPARKMAN PHOTOGRAPHY
Southwest Power Pool | Senior Director State Regulatory Process
DAY AT WORK
I spend a large amount of my time strategizing with Southwest Power Pool staff, state commissioners, members, and stakeholders on how SPP can effectively carry out its mission and ensure our member companies continue to receive value from SPP’s services.
LOVE THE WORK
I love working with brilliant and dedicated people here at SPP and throughout the SPP region and nation. Many great minds are keenly focused on ensuring the current transition to cleaner forms of energy is carried out reliably and economically. My job is foundational to enjoying the comforts of our modernized living. I love being a part of SPP’s vital mission of “working together to responsibly and economically keep the lights on today and in the future.”
SURPRISING BUT TRUE
It is often reported that there is a lack of gender diversity in STEAM careers. I have yet to find that to be true. While this field may have a strong male presence, throughout my college and career experiences I have connected with many women serving and leading in a wide array of capacities within STEAM.
ADVICE
To any young woman that may be apprehensive about entering the STEAM field because of the potential lack of diversity - never let anything stand in your path to achieving your goals. Becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable is the only way you will experience development and growth. Be open, ready, and eager to accept unexpected opportunities; they are often life-changing experiences. Most importantly, be confident and kind to yourself.
These wonder women are redefining what “full STEAM ahead” means in Arkansas. With exciting careers in science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics – each reflects WIT (Women in Tech) and true grit for making the most of every opportunity. Here’s to the powHER of knowledge.
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Women in STEAM – Lynne Ellsworth Larsen
Photography by LORI SPARKMAN PHOTOGRAPHY
University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Assistant Professor of Art History
DAY AT WORK
There are three major components to my job: teaching, research and service. I teach a broad range of courses, things like African Art, Global Contemporary Art and Art of the Americas. In my courses I lecture, discuss the readings with my students, and teach them writing and critical thinking skills. My research centers on West Africa. I contribute research to scholarly journals and books and present my research at academic conferences. I also apply for grants so that I can conduct field and archival research. In terms of service, I serve within the university as an advisor with the honors program and on various committees. My days during the school months, therefore, generally consist of a combination of teaching, teaching prep, meetings, research and writing. My summers often have some component of travel and research.
BEGINNING INTERESTS
I have always loved art. I love art because I love people. Art is a way to connect human beings together. I chose to study African Art because it is a great combination of Art History and Anthropology.
CAREER EVOLUTION
There has been progress, but not really evolution. I pretty much got my PhD and started teaching. I haven’t looked back. It has been wonderful!
LOVE THE WORK
I love opening up the world to my students. I love taking them on study abroad trips, exposing them to new ideas, seeing them grow and develop academically. I also love that I get to be a life-long student – always learning, researching and discovering.
These wonder women are redefining what “full STEAM ahead” means in Arkansas. With exciting careers in science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics – each reflects WIT (Women in Tech) and true grit for making the most of every opportunity. Here’s to the powHER of knowledge.
Women in STEAM – Dr. Ginny Adams
Photography by LORI SPARKMAN PHOTOGRAPHY
University of Central Arkansas | Director – Environmental Science Program & Professor of Biology
BEGINNING INTERESTS
As an undergraduate, I was set on pursuing a medical degree. Although I had grown up in the Ozarks and spent much of my childhood outside, I never realized that could translate into a career. My sophomore year in college, one of the professors offered me a position in his lab to collect crappie and put them in a swim tunnel (basically a treadmill for fish). I instantly fell in love with the field of fish biology.
CAREER EVOLUTION
During my junior and senior year of college, I conducted independent research studying swimming in schooling minnows. Both my graduate research projects were focused on caves, evolution and conservation. Obtaining a job in academia allowed me to teach and work with students to develop that same passion. Working specifically with the Environmental Science Program at UCA has allowed me to help students find their path and passion in a broad, rewarding field.
LOVE THE WORK
This is so easy – the students! I am always amazed by the work ethic and tenacity of the UCA students. They inspire me on a daily basis. My biggest legacy won’t be in my research and independent accomplishments but in what my students go on to accomplish.
SURPRISING BUT TRUE
I think the biggest surprise is that you CAN have a work life balance. It isn’t always easy, but it is possible. My kids grew up outside in the streams alongside us – it can be a very family friendly career path! I am lucky to have a partner who is also my colleague, and we enjoy working together on a daily basis.
These wonder women are redefining what “full STEAM ahead” means in Arkansas. With exciting careers in science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics – each reflects WIT (Women in Tech) and true grit for making the most of every opportunity. Here’s to the powHER of knowledge.
Women in STEAM – Jieyang Xie
Photography by LORI SPARKMAN PHOTOGRAPHY
Prospect Steel, Lexicon Inc. Company | Project Coordinator
BEGINNING INTERESTS
I always liked jigsaw puzzles and building kits. I enjoy putting small pieces together and building something bigger. I have also always been good at math and building things that will last. Being exposed to different computer programs throughout my college career helped me be proficient with the tools I use today. My STEAM education taught me how to read drawings with all the section views – understanding the measurements and the pieces detailed so I can visualize in 3D how parts and pieces are put together on the 2D plan.
LOVE THE WORK
I get to be part of the team that builds big, complex structures all over the country. For example, Lexicon did the roof structure on the Dallas Cowboys stadium. Being able to tell people, “My company built that,” makes me feel proud. Our company was also the first in the United States to purchase a robotic welding assembly line for our steel shop. I was part of the team that went to Austria to train how to program and use it – understanding lengths, widths, angles, vectors, etc. This work leaned heavily on my math and engineering background.
ADVICE
Anybody can excel. People used to think construction and engineering was a boy’s club, but it’s not anymore. There is a huge need across the country for well-educated, trained employees in the STEAM fields. A lot of companies offer on-the-job training, and it can be a very rewarding career. You can be a part of building projects that will last a lifetime.
These wonder women are redefining what “full STEAM ahead” means in Arkansas. With exciting careers in science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics – each reflects WIT (Women in Tech) and true grit for making the most of every opportunity. Here’s to the powHER of knowledge.
Women in STEAM – Kathryn McCoy PE, CFM
Photography by LORI SPARKMAN PHOTOGRAPHY
Garver | Central Region H&H Leader
DAY AT WORK
Because my project portfolio ranges from bridges and roadways to hydrology and hydraulics, my workday often looks different day to day! Depending on which projects are at the forefront for that day, I usually meet with my team to discuss project status, next steps and how to keep things moving efficiently for our clients.
BEGINNING INTERESTS
I have always loved science and math, and when I was a senior in high school, I was contacted by the University of Arkansas Biological Engineering Department, as they were trying to recruit more women. It sounded interesting, so I decided to try it out and quickly fell in love with the mechanics of engineering and the important role it plays in our society. My dad is also an engineer, so I already had an idea of the type of work out there and knew it might be the right fit for me.
CAREER EVOLUTION
I graduated with my Bachelors in Biological Engineering and decided to go to graduate school to become more experienced with environmental engineering and ended up enjoying the hydrology and hydraulics courses the most. I loved learning about how water plays such a vital role in our transportation infrastructure. I was offered a job at a water resources firm and started there as soon as I was done with graduate school. I’ve been doing it ever since!
ADVICE
Carve a place for yourself! You might have to go looking for them, but the opportunities are there. Look for an employer that will let you grow how you want to grow. I have been so blessed to be at Garver, where they have let me grow in my career and also be the mom and wife I want to be outside of work.
These wonder women are redefining what “full STEAM ahead” means in Arkansas. With exciting careers in science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics – each reflects WIT (Women in Tech) and true grit for making the most of every opportunity. Here’s to the powHER of knowledge.
Women in STEAM – Karen Clements
Photography by LORI SPARKMAN PHOTOGRAPHY
Euronet Worldwide | Client Services Supervisor
BEGINNING INTERESTS
I have always enjoyed working with people and love the satisfaction of solving a problem. In my current capacity at Euronet, I am allowed the opportunity to have the best of these two worlds.
CAREER EVOLUTION
I began working in the banking industry as a part-time bank teller while in college. This position led to an opportunity to work in the ATM Department at First Commercial Bank in the mid 90’s. While there, I met my friend and mentor Debra Wayne. Debra is the one that introduced me to Euronet and felt it was a natural transition to take my banking customer service skills along with my “behind the scenes” ATM knowledge to work for a company that develops software for electronic financial transactions.
LOVE THE WORK
I respect and enjoy the people I work with directly and others in the office as well as my customers from around the world. However, a close second would have to be the opportunity to travel. This job has given me the ability to see places around the world I would never have imagined I would get to experience. Spending time in locations like Budapest, Guam, Sri Lanka and Papua New Guinea have allowed me to experience different cultures and develop a broader world view.
SURPRISING BUT TRUE
You can find a career that fits your individual personality and fulfills you professionally. There are opportunities out there that can challenge you daily, allow you to continually learn – I still learn something new regularly about our software, even after 25 years – have fun and create relationships.
These wonder women are redefining what “full STEAM ahead” means in Arkansas. With exciting careers in science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics – each reflects WIT (Women in Tech) and true grit for making the most of every opportunity. Here’s to the powHER of knowledge.
Women in STEAM – Dr. Courtney Hicks
Photography CONTRIBUTED
Unity Health | Infectious Disease Physician Director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program
DAY AT WORK
While every day is different and dependent on the patients I see, I will spend some part of my day rounding with residents and medical students, discussing the patients we have been asked to assist care for in the hospital. We will discuss what is going on with them and try to figure out what is wrong and how to treat them most effectively. I will also see patients in the clinic, our long-term acute care hospital and sometimes our rehabilitation and psychiatric facilities.
BEGINNING INTERESTS
I always knew I wanted to do something with math or science. My father’s best friend was a doctor and I always looked up to him and was able to go to work with him a few times, which inspired me to pursue a career in medicine. I decided to specialize in infectious disease after seeing the dedication paired with a healthy work-life balance.
CAREER EVOLUTION
I went straight from college to medical school, through five years of internal medicine and infectious disease training to my current career as a practicing physician.
ADVICE
Pursue your passion and be confident in your abilities. Develop strong communication skills and challenge gender stereotypes. Don’t be discouraged by setbacks. Network and collaborate with others. Seek out and create opportunities. Most importantly, balance work and life. Remember, the contributions of women in STEAM are vital for driving innovation and progress.
These wonder women are redefining what “full STEAM ahead” means in Arkansas. With exciting careers in science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics – each reflects WIT (Women in Tech) and true grit for making the most of every opportunity. Here’s to the powHER of knowledge.