Associate Chairs back-to-school advice to undergrads

Will Cluett and Jennifer FarmerOver the summer, the Department of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry appointed Professor Will Cluett as the inaugural Associate Chair, Undergraduate Curriculum Development and Professor Jennifer Farmer as the inaugural Associate Chair, Undergraduate Student Experience.

During their three-year terms from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2025, Professor Cluett will focus on supporting the department’s strategic goal to be a leader in creating a modern chemical engineering curriculum that will continue to attract the brightest minds from around the globe to our undergraduate program. Professor Farmer will focus on ensuring an outstanding experience for our undergraduates. Most importantly, she will manage the operations of our undergraduate student services office located in WB216. From guidance to support, both Professors Cluett and Farmer are eager to start working with our undergraduate students!

What advice do you have for new undergrad students?

Cluett: Develop an appreciation for the many ways that university is different from your high school experience.

Farmer: Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself and open yourself to new possibilities and experiences.

What advice do you have for returning undergrad students?

Cluett: Attend and engage in all of your lectures, tutorials and labs. Learning is most effective when done in-person with your classmates.

Farmer: The start of the school year can be overwhelming. Give yourself time to adjust and support your peers.

What are you most looking forward to this year in your position as Associate Chair?

Cluett: Working towards improving our undergraduate chemical engineering curriculum.

Farmer: Engaging with students and helping them work towards achieving their goals.

What do you hope to accomplish this year as Associate Chair?

Cluett: Contributing to a strengthened Undergraduate Office.

Farmer: I hope to strengthen our chemmunity by continuing to improve student services in the undergraduate office.

What is something most people might not know about you?

Cluett: My grandfather Cluett was a rum runner.

Farmer: I met Ei-ichi Negishi, who shared the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2010 for palladium-catalyzed cross couplings in organic synthesis, which was related to my PhD work.