Henson School | Student Leadership Advisory Council

Overview

Scientists are often called upon to be leaders as well, whether of a research lab, a team in the field, a research department, or even their own business. In doing so, these scientist-leaders demonstrate a natural inquisitiveness and an innate desire to make their world a better place. The members of the Henson Student Leadership Advisory Council (SLAC) are among the most accomplished and respected of their peers in the Henson School of Science and Technology – they too desire to help the Henson School and by extension, Salisbury University achieve an continually-improving science student experience.

Our Student Leadership Advisory Council was established in 2020. Comprised of two representatives of each of the five academic departments in the School, the SLAC meets regularly with the Dean and Associate Dean of the Henson School to provide advice and guidance on student issues. They are encouraged to meet with their peers to gather information and provide two-way communication between the student body and the academic leadership of the School.

Members of the SLAC attend all University Open Houses for future students, making a connection with potential students as the school's representatives. They can answer questions that incoming students and their parents may have about the student perspective on the Henson School. The SLAC has plans for additional events to support students as they grow as an entity.

By honing their leadership skills through the work of the SLAC, these students are poised to become the future scientific leaders that will meet the challenges of the 21st century head on.

2022 Student Leaders

Joseph Fernandez
Brittany Grubb
Julia King
Zachary Kohler
Blaine Mason
James Montebell
Virginia Murray

Sharon Nlend
Evan Polkinghorn
Jessica Reider
Aerin Rost-Nasshan
Megan Spicer
Kellee Toler
Luke Zolenski

2021 Student Leaders

Zoe Behrman
Justine Graham
Marrissa Izykowicz
Julia King
Zachary Koehler
Rebecca Krasovec

Sharon Nlend
Blaine Mason
Grace Pelagatti
Megan Ravert
Sheridan Sargent
Katelin Stella-Breeding
Justin Ventura

2020 Student Leaders

Zoe Behrman ‘22

Zoe is from California, Maryland and is a member of the Clarke Honors College pursuing a degree in biology, with minors in chemistry and psychology. On campus, she conducts research in Dr. Jessica Clark’s laboratory, studying diabetic peripheral neuropathy in hyperglycemic zebrafish, with the aim of identifying therapeutics with potential to reduce symptoms in diabetic patients. She also tutors general and organic chemistry at the Center for Student Achievement. Last summer, she interned with the Naval Air Systems Command, investigating the underlying mechanisms of musculoskeletal problems experienced by MH-60 Seahawk aircrew as well as approaches to minimizing pain and increasing endurance. Following graduation, she plans to apply to medical school and ultimately become a practicing physician.

Anna Brennan ‘21

Anna is a Richard A. Henson Scholar pursuing a degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry at SU. She is part of the Clarke Honors College and holds several leadership positions such as Henson Honors Ambassador, Managing Editor of the Laridae Academic Journal, and Undergraduate Research Fellow with the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity. Anna has also earned recognition on the Dean’s list each semester and was recently named a Barry Goldwater Scholar in March and a United Nations Millennium Fellow for Fall 2020. In the future, Anna hopes to research psychiatric drug interactions and side effects in order to contribute to the incremental innovation of safe medications to treat mental health disorders.

Brendan (Alex) English ‘21

Justine Graham ‘22

Justine Graham is Geography major with a Meteorology track and a Math minor from Ocean Pines, Maryland. She is interested in severe weather, tropical meteorology, and numerical modeling. Along with HSLAC, she is a part of the SGA serving as Director of Academic affairs. Furthermore, she is a member of SU’s comedy troupe “The Comedy Gulls.” Following graduation, she hopes to go to graduate school to get an M.S degree pertaining to severe weather. Eventually, she would like to work for the Weather Prediction Center or the National Hurricane Center.

Samantha Koehler ‘20

Samantha Koehler (Class of 2020) is a Physics and Geography major and Mathematics minor from Princess Anne, Maryland. She is interested in meteorological instrumentation, remote sensing, and teaching in STEM. Samantha has done research with NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement Mission and designed a small satellite through the Salisbury Physics department ThinSat program. In addition, she interned at the Sioux Falls NWS Forecast Office as part of her Ernest F. Hollings Fellowship. There, she conducted research on using GOES-16 ABI as a method for validation of severe storm warnings in the Great Plains which was presented at AGU and NWS national conferences. Since graduating in December of 2020 Samantha began her career as a high school math and physics teacher with intent to get a M.A. degree in teaching in STEM.

Jack Lenox ‘21

Jack is a Biology major and Chemistry minor from Odenton, Maryland. He is interested in understanding the global health impacts of climate change. Under the mentorship of Dr. Jessica Clark, he has conducted undergraduate research investigating the impact of hyperglycemia on gut motility in juvenile zebrafish. Jack is a 2021-2022 Finland Fulbright Semi-Finalist, St. Andrew’s Society of New York Scholarship Finalist, a recipient of the Department of Biological Sciences Faculty Award, and is an active student leader on campus. Jack is a global citizen and upon graduation has plans to study Global Health in either Scotland or Finland, with hopes to work on addressing migrant health and the ongoing climate refugee crisis.

Sharon Nlend ‘23

Sharon Nlend is a Pre-Health Professions Biology major from Germantown, Maryland. She is currently doing research with Chemistry professor Dr. Anthony Rojas on MRI contrast. Outside of research and HSLAC, she is also the co-treasurer for Kinks and Curls for Boys and Girls club. After graduating from SU, she plans to head to medical school for an interest in becoming a travel physician or pediatrician.

Grace Pelagatti ‘22

Grace is a Chemistry major from Delran, New Jersey. She is interested in Biochemistry and will be doing undergraduate research on the folding of outer membrane proteins in the Fall of 2021. In addition to being a part of HSLAC, she is a laboratory assistant for the organic chemistry and biochemistry labs at SU. After graduating from SU, she plans to attend medical school and obtain a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree.

Jordan Risher ‘21

Jordan is a Earth Science major on the Geoenvironmental track with a minor in Communications. He became interested in Earth Science and Geology when he started to go hiking regularly in high school. His goal is to eventually study Volcanology. In addition to being a member of HSLAC his is also on the executive board of a number of clubs including The Salisbury Philosophical Society and the Outdoor Club.

Laura Short ‘21

Laurie is a mathematics major from Snow Hill, Maryland. She has done undergraduate research on mathematics education and algebraic geometry. In addition to being on the Henson Student Leadership Advisory Committee, Laurie has been a supplemental instructor for discrete mathematics for seven semesters and is a Noyce scholar. After graduation, Laurie will be attending graduate school for mathematics and hopes to then teach at a high school or university.

Katelin Stella-Breeding ‘23

Katelin is a junior Traditional Mathematics Major, Computer Science and Data Science Minor. She is from Denton, MD, and commutes back and forth to SU every day. She is currently very interested in the flow of the stock market and being able to predict the future using mathematics. She is conducting undergraduate research with Dr. Carmack looking into Markov's chains analysis of candlestick chart patterns on popular ETF's. After graduation, she plans to pursue a master's and possibly a doctorate degree, eventually becoming a Mathematics professor.

How to Apply

To be a member of the Henson Student Leadership Advisory Council, you must have a declared major in the Henson School of Science and Technology and be classified as either a sophomore (31 – 60 completed credits) or junior (61 – 90) in the Spring 2021 semester. Eligible graduate students must be planning to complete their degree in May 2022 or later. Terms of appointment are for one calendar year, beginning in March, with the ability to be reappointed for successive terms. Council members will be required to attend at least 3 of the 4 planned council meetings and at least 4 admissions/outreach events. Members are awarded a $300 stipend for their service.

To apply, please send an email hensonschool@salisbury.edu by 4:30 pm, Friday, February 19. The email should include a brief biography, your reason for being interested in serving on the Henson Student Leadership Advisory Council, and the name of one professor in the Henson School who would recommend you for the position. Students will be contacted about their application by February 26.

Student Leadership Advisory Council

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