? ?? -w its THELIONESSLOOP ISSN 2640-2327
ISSUE7- SPRING2022
WelcomeLioness Table of Contents
COPYRIGHT 2022 BY | Alpha Sigma Kappa - Women in Technical Studies THE LIONESS LOOP | Issue #7, Published Biannually SUBSCRIBE | Contact newsletter@ask-wits.com cover photo by Ricardo Gomez Angel background page 22 by Bekky Bekks stock photo page 23 by Avel Chuklanov
Table of Contents photos by Joshua Coleman, Andrej Lishakov, Autumn Studio and Joel Filio
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EDITORIAL NOTES
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NATIONAL ORGANIZATION UPDATES - Meet the NDoA - National Organization Updates - National Calendar - Educational Foundation
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ACROSS THE SISTERHOOD - Featured Chapter: Kappa - Snapshots from Campus - Sister Spotlight - News Round-up - Chapter Calendar
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? ?? MARKETPLACE
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CANDLE PASS
Editorial Notes It's February and cold in Iowa. 2022 seems to be flying by and National Convention will be here before we know it. Convention is always an exciting time - a time for Members to connect and to assess where we are and where we are headed; a time to build the bonds of Sisterhood and to recommit ourselves to making ? ?? the best it can be. ~Jessica Denner
Jessica Denner is the Chair of the Newsletter Committee. She has been assisted by Karis Paslay (Kappa Active) and Ali Kidder-Mostrom (Epsilon Alum). Jessica is an Epsilon Alumna (Delta Class) who works as a Senior Quality Assurance Specialist with Kemin in Des Moines, IA. Ali is also an Epsilon Alum (Founding Class) and is a Forensic Scientist in Washington state. Karis studies Applied Behavioral Science at the University of Kansas. Check out pages 17-21 to get to know these Members (in true Lioness Loop fashion) by reading their answers to the 13 quick questions that we put to all of our Featured Sisters.
If you'd like to help make future issues of The Lioness Loop great, consider joining the Newsletter Committee! Or reach out to share your stories and ideas at newsletter@ask-wits.com.
Meet theNBoD A note from the outgoing NDoA: Atisha Morrison When I was elected the NDoO in July 2016, I was not prepared for the challenges and absolute joy serving on the National Board of Directors would be. In my first year as the NDoO, I learned a lot about the Chapters across the Organization as well as the issues they face. It was during the 2017 National Convention that the idea behind what would later be our Leadership Consultant program was born. This was something that I saw as a great need as we continued to grow and having someone who could spend more dedicated time with the Chapters and their unique cultures and needs. Our hope was that it would also allow for more opportunities for Alumnae to step into leadership roles with the National Organization. Little did I know, I would also be stepping up into a leadership role as I would come to be appointed NDoA after their resignation in 2018. Stepping into the role was a learning curve, and I had to hit the ground running due to the upcoming National Convention and the emerging growing pains we were having as a National Organization. It became clear to me that we had to start thinking like the larger organization we were becoming and identify what we were and were not providing to our Members. This is where many of the initiatives such as the census, strategic planning, and digitizing our processes came from. As the NBoD, we love being volunteers to you all and the National Organization, and we know we can do better. With the growth we have seen over my time on the NBoD, there are better ways we can be operating as well as engaging with each other. Throughout the last two years, those initiatives were my core focus until COVID-19 became a part of our everyday lives. The pandemic will be the most challenging thing I have faced personally, professionally, and while on the NBoD. We were very lucky that we could react as fast as we could and knew that some loss and frustration would be inevitable during the response. My hope is that in five more years, we will be even farther along in providing the best experience to our Active Members and be consistently engaged with our Alumnae across the country. I look forward to seeing you all in Fort Worth in July. Best, Atisha
background by Scott Webb
National Organization Updates National Calendar May 1 - National Founder's Day June 1 - Chapter Reports Due Committee Reports Due June 26 - National Scholarship Committee Meeting July 21-24 - National Convention
Looking for National Bigs Our latest Interest Group at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville (UTK) will be colonizing on April 2, 2022 with 19 Founding Members! We are putting out a call for National Bigs! Any Active or Alum who is interested in mentoring or getting to know one of the Sigma Colony members, please apply through the application linked here: National Big Application
July 23 - National Educational Foundation
Applications close on March 19, 2022.
Annual Meeting
FAQs for the National Big Program can be found at the top of the application as well. Please contact Misty at ndoe@ask-wits.com with any questions.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion After doing more research and getting additional quotes, the NBoD put the question to a vote and
BeParallel was selected by the Delegation as the company we will work with on furthering diversity, equity and inclusion efforts for our organization. Work is being done to finalize details for rolling this out in 2022.
National Board Transitions NBoD transistions, following elections at our National Convention, happened over the last few months of 2021. Atisha Morrison (NDoA) and Kellee Hartjen (NDoE) worked with Piper Blackburn and Misty Lam, respectively, who took their NBoD positions on January 1, 2022.
Welcome New Chapters The Rho Chapter at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida was installed on October 2, 2021! You may follow them at their Instagram page at @usfask. On February 12, 2022 the Pi Chapter at Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts was installed as our newest chapter! Follow them on Instragram at @bualphasigmakappa. Please send warm wishes and a welcome to these chapters!
Seeking Leadership Consultants Leadership consultants are an important part of the structure of our National Organization and a great way to get involved nationally as a new graduate or established Alum looking to take on new leadership. Each Leadership Consultant works with three Active Chapters on their goals, helps them navigate leadership roles, and the ever expanding National Organization. There are no leadership prerequisites for this position so any current Alum (or Spring 2022 Alum) is welcome and encouraged to apply. Applications opened in January and are due April 5. Use the linked forms below to apply or nominate a Member: Nomination/interest form LC Application Any questions can be directed to either Morgan (ndoo@ask-wits.com) or Piper (ndoa@ask-wits.com).
Census Underway Alpha Sigma Kappa - Women in Technical Studies has completed our first census! We hope this gives us a better picture of the individuals who make up our great organization: to better inform expansion decisions, improve communication, and build a vision with everyone in mind. Thank you to all those who completed the census. The survey closed November 1, 2021. The data is starting to be analyzed. Stay tuned in the coming months for more information.
2022 National Convention The time has come for the 2022 National Convention! This year's Convention will be held in Fort Worth, TX and Atisha Morrison is leading the charge with planning. Convention includes Open and Closed meetings, break out sessions, the National Foundation Annual Meeting, and activities at night to get to know other Sisters. This year there will be some different activities and a great speaker! The 2022 National Convention is Thursday, July 21st through Sunday, July 24th at the Embassy Suites at 600 Commerce St. in Downtown Fort Worth, Texas. This will be our first in-person Convention since 2019! A room block has been reserved for Convention attendees. Registration will open in the next couple of weeks for in-person and virtual attendees. All Chapter Delegates will be required to attend the National Convention in person. If you have any questions, please reach out to the National Convention Planning Chair at atisha.morri@gmail.com
photo by Dan Formsma
National Award Nominations Nominations are now open (through May 31) for our annual National Awards, honoring those who demonstrate excellence in the Organization, academia and their professional fields. Visit the linked form below to provide your detailed nomination for a deserving Sibling. Winners will be announced at Convention. Award Nomination Form Contact Eva Hanlon (eva.hanlon@gmail.com) with any questions.
Educational Foundation Ways to Donate For information on ways to donate to the National Educational Foundation, visit www.askwits.org/donate/. All donations (big or small) are tax deductible and provide scholarship assistance to Active Members of Alpha Sigma Kappa - Women in Technical Studies. The Alpha Sigma Kappa Educational Foundation is also a listed charity for Facebook fundraisers and AmazonSmile! Consider helping raise money for this worthwhile cause the next time you want to crowdfund or whenever you shop online.
2022 National Scholarship Essay Topic: " Creating Unity within the Organization" Applications due May 1, 2022 Submit your essay using the Scholarship tab on the National Foundation website: www.askwits.org/scholarship
Note: This scholarship is open to Active Student Members of Alpha Sigma Kappa - Women in Technical Studies who must be Active by the scholarship deadline and in the Fall 2022 term.
#Giving Tuesday Last year we actively took part in the social media campaign #GivingTuesday and had great success. Thank you to everyone who donated and helped us exceed our goal! Keep us in mind for next year on November 30, 2022.
Volunteer Opportunity Want to get involved? ANY ? ?? Alumna, regardless of your professional status, can be a part of the 2022 National Scholarship Committee. The time requirement is very minimal. Email ask.educational.foundation@gmail.com if you are interested. background by Michael Jasmund
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Featured Chapter Kappa UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS LAWRENCE, KS EST 04.16.2016
Throughout thepast twoyears, the Kappa Chapter has undergone some interesting changes. A global pandemic will certainly cause a shift in the way that a chapter has to function, but sometimes it can allow for improvements and good changes as well. In the fall of 2020, the Kappa Chapter had its largest Candidate class ever, at 23 new Members. Current Chapter President, Emma Carbary, was interviewed about the transitions that the Kappa Chapter has had to make recently. The Lambda class was unable to have their in-person Initiation until fall of 2021, but have been Active Members for over a year. Emma says that ?The culture of our chapter shifted a bit, but not in a bad way. We gained more diversity in not only majors but life experiences and personalities. Since we almost tripled in size since COVID, we have ensured that we set aside intentional time to promote friendships between Members beyond a surface level acquaintanceship. When we moved back in person in the fall of 2021, we had to find a balance of how much time we asked members to spend and how often for events that were not chapters or ceremonies. It was definitely a learning curve.? ?We didn?t realize how much we had cut back on while online.? Due to University of Kansas and National ? ?? guidelines, the Kappa Chapter was not allowed to have in person chapters, ceremonies, or social events in the school year of 2020 to 2021. Many of the new Members had not truly experienced the community of ? ?? until this school year. The fall 2021 semester consisted of everything from in-person chapters, two Initiations, a retreat, field day, to hayrides in the pumpkin patch. This brought a sense of normalcy that had not been achieved for over a year and a half. Emma reflected on some of her ? ?? memories pre-COVID, and said that her favorite memory was of fall retreat of her freshman year, in fall of 2019. ?We did a Candidate ceremony at a local campground. There was a storm rolling in so we were trying to finish the ceremony as there was thunder and lightning in the background foreshadowing the rain that was soon to come. We joke about that ceremony to this day. Afterwards though, we went to a Member's apartment for a sleepover and we played some games. We were much smaller at the time, so it was amazing to get to know all the Actives and other Candidates so quickly and easily! It was the first time I had felt that I truly found a community and family at college.?
Executive Members: Emma Carbary - President Katie Donnelly - VP of Operations Lauren Tubal - VP of Communications Sarita Chowdhury & McKenzie Szopinski VPs of Finance Katie McNaughton - VP of Recruitment Alex Waggoner - VP of Risk Management Karis Paslay - VP of External Relations Grace Ewell - VP of Scholarship
For this semester, Emma is most looking forward to formal. ?The majority of the Chapter hasn?t experienced one due to COVID, including myself, so I am excited to spend some hours dancing and spending time with my Siblings!? The Kappa Chapter formal will be held on April 9th. Other upcoming social events include a murder mystery and an outdoor ice cream study session. Another important aspect of community that was lacking during COVID was the ability of other Members to truly know how their siblings were doing. Emma is proud of her chapter health presentation from the fall semester, and says that ?Many Members felt like they didn?t know many people in the Chapter beyond just their name and major, especially since we grew so fast. I worked really hard to make sure that it was productive and that each person felt that the Chapter was a safe space. We talked a lot about mental health and personal struggles. Chapter that day took much longer than it normally did, but I think it?s safe to say that everyone walked out feeling like they truly felt like they made genuinely deeper connections with their Siblings and that they were not alone because they had their ? ?? family.? Throughout the midst of COVID and many changes, the Kappa Chapter has shown what it means to truly be an ? ?? family. They have an exciting year ahead of them?and hopefully a more normal one, too.
? background by Pawel Czerwinski
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Sister Spotlight: Newsletter Committee
Jessica Denner | Epsilon Alum Chapter Ali Kidder-Mostrom | Epsilon Alum Chapter Karis Paslay | Kappa Active Chapter background by Letizia Agosta
The Inside L? p Jessica Denner Royal blue or silver? ?Definitely royal blue Do you know your Hogwarts House, and if so, what is it? ?Not a Harry Potter Person What is your favorite branch of science? Chemistry while I was in school, but I have grown to love microbiology in my professional career as the resident expert in my employer?s Environmental Monitoring Program. What was your first job? Kitchen Staff/Buffet Prep at Sirloin Stockade Favorite season? ?Fall, love the colors and it's football season! Who is your woman in STEM icon (living or dead)? Sally Ride
If you could live anywhere, where would it be? Honestly, I have lived in Iowa my whole life and like it. Nice and quaint and the communities are great to socialize and get to know people. What might someone be surprised to know about you? For non-Epsilon Sisters, I am an Iowa State Fair award winning baker for he past 8 years. For all Sisters, I have never broken a bone. What was your most memorable vacation? ?My husband and I's 5 year anniversary to Italy and Spain. What is your favorite book? ?Anything by Nicholas Sparks When was the last time you laughed so hard you cried? Last summer when we were hanging out with our new neighbors What superpower would you want? ?Slow down time! If you could only have one food for the rest of your life, what would it be???Anything with chicken, bacon and ranch
The Inside L? p Ali Kidder-Mostrom Royal blue or silver? ?Royal Blue Do you know your Hogwarts House, and if so, what is it? Gryffindor. Which, over time, I have reluctantly come to accept. What is your favorite branch of science? ?Chemistry What was your first job? ?Acting - I was in my first professional show at age 7, which is also the age I decided I wanted to be a chemist (but I didn't get paid for that until many years later). Favorite season? ?Winter. I love snow! Also, I prefer real cold and fake heat to fake cold and real heat. Who is your woman in STEM icon (living or dead)? The OG (Marie Curie) If you could live anywhere, where would it be? I would love to live on the Big Island of Hawai'i. What might someone be surprised to know about you? I'm allergic (or at least highly sensitive) to black pepper - it just tastes like pain.
What was your most memorable vacation? ?Hard to say. Whatever it is, I'm sure it involved hiking. Maybe the quick roadtrip through the Northeast that involved a day on the Appalachian Trail or the visit to the ruins of the Great Wall or the day of our honeymoon when we went up Diamond Head but forgot sunscreen. All very memorable. What is your favorite book? ?The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin When was the last time you laughed so hard you cried?? I think it was when (it often is when) my husband I were just vamping on a theme together, as we are wont to do. What superpower would you want? ?Teleportation - I love traveling, but don't love the time and distance involved. Plus, it sure would make living far away from family easier. If you could only have one food for the rest of your life, what would it be??Potatoes
The Inside L? p Karis Paslay Royal blue or silver? ?Royal blue! Do you know your Hogwarts House, and if so, what is it? ?I have never read or watched Harry Potter, I really should though! What is your favorite branch of science? ?I'm an Applied Behavioral Science major, and I really love it! I also am super interested in psychology. What was your first job? ?Babysitting! Favorite season? ?Definitely spring! I might be a little biased because it is super cold in Kansas right now, but all the flowers and green leaves make my heart so happy! Who is your woman in STEM icon (living or dead)? Rosalind Franklin If you could live anywhere, where would it be? ? Anywhere tropical! A house right on the beach would be an absolute dream!
What was your most memorable vacation? ? I haven't had anything too bad happen to me on vacation (knock on wood haha), but I loved going to Capiva Island in Florida this past summer! It was beautiful and so relaxing. What might someone be surprised to know about you? ? I have played piano since I was 6! What is your favorite book? ?Everybody Always by Bob Goff When was the last time you laughed so hard you cried??A couple weeks ago, I was walking to my friend's house and there was an open jar of alfredo sauce on the sidewalk, which I didn't see, stepped on it, and it got all over my shoes! It was the most random thing! What superpower would you want? ?The ability to speak and understand any language! If you could only have one food for the rest of your life, what would it be???Give me all the Mexican Food
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NewsRound-up We love to see Members of ? ?? featured in their local and campus news! Here are a couple of just such recent articles : On November 10, 2021, Iowa State University College of Engineering News posted the story " IE friends will go on to work for competing companies" . This article featured Epsilon Chapter Members Mackenzie Bochart and Kasey Sutton, focusing on their experiences with industrial engineering, their plans for after graduation and, of course, their friendship. Leaving friends after graduation can be tough. As Mackenzie, who graduated in December states in the article, ?I will miss being around my sisters in Alpha Sigma Kappa the most..." You can read the full story here: https://news.engineering.iastate.edu
Beta Chapter's Rachel Penner was highlighted in the OU Gallogly College of Engineering post " 2 Students Receive Kennedy Engineering Leadership Awards" , on January 7, 2022. The story highlights Rachel's accomplishments which led to her winning the award, including work as co-founder of the OU Chapter of Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS). " Ms. Penner?s leadership has transformed the OU Engineering community," they write. " For Alpha Sigma Kappa, OU?s sorority for women in STEM, she has provided guidance, encouragement and support to members as the chapter navigated the pandemic." You care read all about her leadership and impact on the OU Engineering Community here: https://ouccoe100.blogspot.com
photo by Nick Fetty
2021Membership Updates -
148 M em ber s in it iat ed 113 M em ber s becam e Alu m n ae 419 Act ive M em ber s du r in g t h e Fall 2021 t er m All Ch apt er s back in session as of Febr u ar y 2022
2022 Chapter Calendar March 20 - Omicron Candidate Ceremony March 28 - Theta Chapter Founder's Day April 3 - Kappa Initiation Ceremony April 8 - Epsilon Initiation Ceremony April 14 - Mu Chapter Founder's Day April 16 - Kappa Chapter Founder's Day April 24 - Omicron & Kappa Initiation Ceremony April 29 - Epsilon Alum Ceremony May 1 - Alpha Chapter Founder's Day Omicron Alum Ceremony
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? ?? -inspired Cloth Masks Throw what you know... over your mouth and nose! See all the details in the A?K Marketplace on Facebook Contact Jenifer if you would like to have a mA?K of your very own. ($6, including shipping!)
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CandlePass Marriageand Engagement WE TIED THE KNOT! Maggie Jiminez (Eta Alum) & Samantha Young | October 17, 2021 Albuquerque, NM Ridley Schwartz (Epsilon Alum) & Dylan Loree | December 11, 2021 Pella, IA Katrina Fauser (Epsilon Alum) & Tyler Erickson | December 23, 2021 Milwaukee, Wisconsin
WE SAID ?YES?! Jasmine Malhotra (Zeta Alum) & Ujval Rajput | November 7, 2021 The couple will be married on September 4, 2022. Annamarie Rutledge (Alpha Alum) & Jim Stevens | November 15, 2021 The couple will be married on October 7, 2023. Ali Harakal (Theta Alum ) & Brian Gardner | December 5, 2021 The couple is planning to marry in a small, intimate ceremony in late 2022. Emma Bachman (Beta Alum) & Asha Mani | January 23 , 2022 The couple plan to marry in May 2023. Kara Egan (Epsilon Alum) & Dakota Bunnell are planning to marry October 8, 2022.
photo by Anne Nygård
Career and Academics Anna Buchholz (Epsilon Alum) interned with NASA in Washington D.C. during the summer of 2021. She plans to start medical school in the fall of 2022. Sara Mayne (Epsilon Alum) has accepted a Mechanical Engineering opportunity with NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory after graduation in May 2022.
Family and Birth IT'S A GIRL! Amanda Dean (Eta Alum), husband Brandon and big brother Jeremiah welcomed Erin Emery on January 3, 2022. WE'RE EXPECTING! Sheila Tuftee Ion (Epsilon Alum) and husband are expecting a baby girl, due to arrive in May/June 2022. Kara Egan (Epsilon Alum) and fiancé are expecting a baby boy due July 29, 2022.
visit h t t ps:/ / t in yu r l.com / can dlepass to share your announcements in a future issue
photo by Irina Grotkjaer