糖心动漫vlog

  Story by Kaleb Smith     Photos by Katherine Makrin and Kaleb Smith    Video by WIRE TV

When Julia Busemeyer switched her major from earth science to physics during her first year at 糖心动漫vlog, she became the only woman enrolled in the program.

In a field traditionally dominated by men, Busemeyer wondered whether other students on campus shared her experience and how she could connect with them. That question eventually led her to create STEMpowered, a student organization dedicated to supporting women and gender minorities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Busemeyer first considered starting the club during her first year but began working to make it a reality during the second semester of her sophomore year. After experiencing difficult interactions with other students in her major, she recognized the importance of having a supportive community for students who might otherwise feel isolated.

By that time, she had become friends with fellow student and mathematics major Delaney Vitzthum, whom she invited to help establish the organization.

鈥淚 think the biggest impact that we have on campus is just providing that space for this specific group of people,鈥� Busemeyer said. 鈥淓specially in STEM where it's so competitive, it's so cutthroat, and just having other people who you know are kind of in the same boat as you...just having that group of people is really nice.鈥�

STEMpowered鈥檚 Rise, Role & Reach at Oneonta

STEMpowered held its first meeting in March 2025. After its first year as a university-recognized organization, the club received Student Association (SA) recognition and became a fully recognized student organization.

The club鈥檚 SA recognition helped the founders reach beyond their immediate circle. By participating in Club Expo, Open House and other opportunities to connect with students across campus, the club grew to 19 members at the beginning of the fall 2026 semester. 

鈥淚f you're the only woman in a physics class, that sucks,鈥� said Busemeyer. 鈥淚f there are two of you, then it鈥檚 better, but it still kind of feels like it's you two against everyone else. But once there are three of you, then that starts to feel more like a community, and you start to feel less like singled out.鈥�

Although STEMPowered focuses on supporting women and gender minorities in STEM, its activities extend beyond traditional science-based projects. Instead, the club emphasizes building connections, sharing experiences and providing students with tools to navigate challenges in their academic and professional lives.

One activity invited members to create achievement journals to document their accomplishments and revisit them during moments of self-doubt or imposter syndrome.

The club also holds presentations and discussions about imposter syndrome, recognizing and responding to discriminatory or hateful behavior, and intersectionality. Members have also shared experiences navigating STEM as neurodivergent students.

For Vitzthum, the opportunity to hear from others with similar experiences has been among the most meaningful parts of the organization.

鈥淔or me, definitely, I think knowing I'm not alone,鈥� Vitzthum said. 鈥淟ike there's someone out there that is going through something similar to me, if not exactly the same.鈥�

The club's work also helps students connect with opportunities beyond its meetings. Robin Hebert, coordinator of science outreach activities at the A.J. Read Science Discovery Center and STEMPowered's adviser, said the organization shares the center's belief that science should be accessible to everyone.

鈥淚t is vitally important that underrepresented groups have organizations like STEMpowered that provide support and empowerment for our students,鈥� Hebert said.

Through the organization, members can share information about campus opportunities, build connections with peers and mentors, and pursue leadership roles. Hebert noted that the club also helps connect first- and second-year students with mentors in their fields.

Inspiring the Next Generation of STEM Leaders

For Busemeyer, founding STEMpowered has also shaped her own interests and aspirations. Through the club's discussions and presentations, she said she has discovered a passion for advocacy, learned more about intersectionality and how to use her own privilege to support others.

As Busemeyer and Vitzthum prepare to graduate in May 2027, both look forward to the organization鈥檚 continued growth as it supplies support for future students. Members look forward to carrying on the organization's work after its founders graduate, envisioning a future in which women and gender minorities feel increasingly supported in STEM and encouraging more students to join because 鈥渆veryone is welcome.鈥�