My STEMLA Story: Marie-Claire Davenport '28

The STEM in the Liberal Arts (STEMLA) Program empowers Fellows as they undertake a four-year process of exploration, self-discovery, and identity building. The program centers around the development of a STEM identity, community and belonging, and career exploration, all of which are recognized as significant contributors to persistence and success in STEM. Marie-Claire Davenport is a member of the STEMLA '28 cohort and is an intended Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major.

Tell us a little bit about your STEM journey.

Contrary to many people who decided to go into STEM, it was far from my initial choice of study for college. Throughout middle and high school, I loved my history and English courses. I was a massive humanities student, and I was initially thinking of studying something related as I applied to colleges. It wasn’t until I decided on a whim to take AP Biology that I cultivated a passion for STEM. I was never someone who struggled in my math or science courses, but it wasn’t until taking AP Biology that I thought about my future and what I really wanted to study. Now that I am attending Bryn Mawr College and in STEMLA, I have never felt so sure of my decision to pursue STEM. It is still a journey for me as I try to navigate what I am interested in dedicating the next few years of my life to studying.

Why did you decide to do the STEMLA program?

I will be honest, when I first got an email notifying me about being eligible to apply to the STEMLA program, I was initially taken aback. I was still at a crossroads in my life, deciding between pursuing humanities or STEM for my major. Although unsure, I attended all of the interest meets for the STEMLA program, learning as much as I could about it. I couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of excitement and anticipation as I learned more and more about the program and, in general, pursuing STEM at Bryn Mawr College. By the time I sent an application, I felt sure in my decision to pursue studying STEM. Aside from my personal indecisiveness over what to study, I found myself also applying to the program for the opportunity to get to know the students, teachers, and school in general before actually attending in the fall. Coming from a state nearly across the country from Pennsylvania, I was also nervous about feeling emotionally lost and alone.

What was the summer cohort experience like?

The summer cohort experience was like a fever dream. It was not my first time traveling over my summer break (I went to London the summer of my junior year), however, the experience felt different, in a good way! I got to know so many people through my program, the majority of which I still see regularly on campus and interact with. Some of the people from that program are those who I consider my best friends. It truly felt like a community was created and cultivated throughout the program. Beyond the social life, the academics during the program felt fascinating to me, and it felt special to see the intersectionality and connection between the humanities class and the geology class we had. The field trips we took were not just moments of deeper connection with our teachers, our upperclassmen, and amongst ourselves, but also fun learning opportunities! I still recall how we went to an acid mine drainage site and an anthracite mine, I got to do some on-site lab work and witness Yellow Boy (iron hydroxide). The end of the program project (Scalar project) was honestly one of the most exciting projects I got to work on! I got to link what I had been learning throughout the summer to one of my favorite hobbies (playing/learning about video games) and synthesize it all into a website page and presentation. Overall, I had so much fun during the program, and sometimes I wish I could relive those moments again.

What skills or experiences have you gained from doing the program?

Aside from the amount of experience I’ve gained from doing the summer cohort, I have also found the opportunity to forge new experiences throughout the school year thanks to the program. Throughout the first semester of your freshman year, you are tasked with going to a certain number of colloquiums and meetings, yet I found myself attending nearly every single one of these as I could. It was through colloquiums that I learned so much about research that graduate students, or former undergraduate students from Bryn Mawr were participating in. These research-related talks gave me perspective on what my future in my STEM journey could look like! Other STEMLA-coordinated meetings were fun opportunities to take a little break from studying and other work to socialize with other STEMLA fellows!

"I love my STEMLA mentor and she is someone who I feel more than comfortable going to when I need help, advice, or someone to converse with."

Favorite aspect of the program so far?

Aside from what I’ve previously mentioned, one of my favorite underrated parts of the program is having a designated STEMLA mentor. A STEMLA mentor is a BMC professor who works with you throughout your undergrad, being a part of your support system as you navigate your STEM journey. I love my STEMLA mentor, and she is someone who I feel more than comfortable going to when I need help, advice, or someone to converse with. I always feel more assured knowing that I am supported and can receive additional support from my STEMLA mentor and the greater STEMLA community!