A Step Ahead

Abby Foxwell ’21 chose York College after touring the campus. The state-of-the-art chemistry labs and hands-on research would be open to her even as an undergraduate, something Foxwell saw only graduate students doing at larger universities. “That one aspect— getting to use equipment in the lab— can put you a step ahead,” she says. 

But she wanted to do more than just go to classes. She wanted to encourage other young women to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). She found that opportunity in the Chemistry Society, where she is now President. Here, students and faculty not only dive into their passions related to chemistry, but they visit area schools and invite students to the YCP campus. 

Foxwell finds ways to explore real-world application for chemistry—which she thinks would be easy entry points for younger students. 

While she’s still not certain on the exact career path she’d like to take, Foxwell has found her interests developing in environmental work. She’s considering animal conservation research and habitat reconstruction, as well as animal pharmaceuticals. “We can see our world changing every day, and I want my work to make an impact,” she says. “York College has encouraged me to explore whatever path interests me, and I know they’ve given me a good foundation to succeed.”