Historically, the important contributions and achievements made by women to the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) field have often been underrepresented. This faculty spotlight aims to address this issue by highlighting the experiences and achievements of skilled women right here on the Andrews University campus, who inspire, mentor and shape future generations of women in STEM. This spotlight proudly acknowledges a faculty member whose work exemplifies her expertise in STEM and whose journey offers valuable insights for students and colleagues.
Hyun Kwon currently serves as a professor in the School of Engineering. Her early life and academic career began in South Korea, where she attended the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) to earn both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees, before coming to the United States to pursue a doctoral degree in chemical engineering at the University of Louisville.
When looking back on her journey that led her to serve as an engineering faculty member, Kwon reflects that “the engineering department was just beginning at that time, and I had the privilege of growing together with it,” she said. “It has been deeply meaningful to help build the program and to watch my students grow, succeed, and go on to meaningful careers of their own. I was also given the opportunity to serve as department chair for eight years, which was another important and rewarding part of my journey.”
Serving as a professor in academia requires expertise, the ability to teach, and a deep understanding of the appropriate subject matter. This skill set doesn’t appear out of nowhere; it is a culmination of years of hard work, continuous learning and the ability to overcome challenges. Engineering specifically, Kwon notes, “has always been a demanding field, both in school and in professional life,” she said. “During school years, one of the biggest challenges would be simply keeping up with the pace and intensity of the work.”
From her academic to professional career, Kwon mentions that there are “the same kinds of challenges that continue into young professional life,” she said. “Very often, you are placed in situations where you do not know everything, and that can feel overwhelming at first.” However, Kwon’s advice is that “over time, through steady effort and accumulated experience, you build confidence, deepen your understanding, and gradually become an expert.”
Drawing from her experiences in the field, Kwon additionally offers a perspective on the broader issue of whether challenges for women in STEM have lessened with the passing of time.
“From my personal experience, I have not thought of women in STEM as being either especially privileged or disadvantaged, at least during the time span of my own education and career,” she said. “STEM is fundamentally a field that responds to ability. A sound design, a successful experiment, or a creative technical solution stands on its own merit.”
This sheds inspiring light on women with strong commitment and preparation to absolutely be able to enter STEM and perform at a very high level. However, Kwon understands, “not everyone’s experience has been the same, and I do think opportunities have changed across generations,” she said. “When I think about my mother’s generation, I know the ability was there, but the post-Korean War environment did not allow her to pursue education. And when I look at my daughter’s generation, I believe she has even more opportunities than I did. This gives me a strong sense that progress has been real, not only in STEM, but in many areas of society.”
In a final word of encouragement, Kwon advises that “women in STEM, like anyone else, need to build strong fundamentals in college years. The opportunity is there, and women who are prepared, talented, and determined can absolutely thrive in it. The field belongs to those who are ready to do the work and do it well.”
Challenges in the workplace are not the only obstacles for women. Another issue Kwon believes can be improved is “the concern many women have about balancing a STEM career with family life,” she said. Her advice is that “both are important. Building a family and doing your best in your career can both be meaningful and fulfilling parts of life, and one does not have to cancel out the other. Support for work-life balance has improved, and that progress should continue.”
Overall, Kwon concisely summarizes that “continued improvement means not only supporting women professionally, but also encouraging a healthier, more sustainable, and more balanced way of living.”
In reflecting on her journey, Kwon makes it clear that while opportunities for women in STEM fields have progressed greatly across generations, issues such as work-life balance can continue to be improved. Overall, Kwon’s academic and professional journey serves as a testament to excellence in STEM fields and provides inspiration for generations of women to come.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.