Closing the Gap

What standards of social responsibility are corporations held to? On our latest episode of our Women in STEM podcast, Closing the Gap, Demetriah Webster joins us to talk about corporate social responsibility standards. That’s not all though, Demetriah is a trained engineer who had a career in aerospace before taking on her latest role. We’ll get into how getting a solid STEAM education can build s...

Have you ever wondered why the experience of an internship is so important to career development? If you have, listen to this episode. Yuliya Dennis, the Executive Director of MECOP, joins us on the show to talk about exactly why people should participate in internships. There are many benefits to working as an intern; maybe the most valuable is that students can really maximize their time in coll...

The Willamette Valley is home to dozens of small organic farms. These farms feed the local communities by selling the beautiful fruits and vegetables they grow at the beloved farmer's markets, co-ops, and restaurants in the area. Tune in as we chat with Eden Olsen, farmer and owner of Lucky Crow Farm in Monmouth. Eden tells us exactly why it’s important to support local organic growers: and it’s n...

Are you ready for a fresh episode of Closing the Gap?    Today we have OSU graduate Carolina Guillen, on the podcast. Carolina immigrated with her family to the United States from Mexico as a teen. We will talk about her experience growing up in Albany, Oregon, and receiving her bioengineering degree at Oregon State University.   Visit us at www.midvalleystem.org   Music by: Bosnow  (via Uppbeat.c...

What is the importance of a good education?    Join us as we talk to Dr. Ramycia McGhee, a literature professor at LBCC and an educator with Oak Creek Correctional Facility, as we find out how education and continued learning can make a difference in a young person’s life.   You can find the entire Closing the Gap Library on our website: www.midvalleystem.org/closing-the-gap/ .   Music by: Bosnow 

Are you curious about how automation robots work? Join us as we talk to Breanna Allen, an automation engineer, whose job it is to maintain automation robots and systems. As an automation engineer at Precision Castparts Corporation, Breanna keeps automation systems operating with maximum efficiency.    Listen to this episode and find out what it’s like to be an automation engineer!   Visit us at ww...

Thanks for tuning in for this episode of Closing the Gap. Today on the show we are talking to, physicist, Amber Barber.    Visit us at: www.midvalleystem.org   Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/bosnow/street-knowledge

We are kicking off our third season of the show with, Missy Smith, Associate Athletic Director at Oregon Episcopal School, and the organizer of the Oregon Girls Sports Leadership Summit. Join us as we talk about bringing the spirit of leadership onto the court and into the classroom!   Visit us at: www.midvalleystem.org   Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/bosnow/street-...

This month on Closing the Gap, we have Audrey Anderson. Audrey is a culinary arts instructor at LBCC, a business owner, as well as a firefighter trainee. Join us as we discuss Audrey’s expertise in time management and pursuing multiple careers!    Audrey’s episode will be the last episode of the summer, but we will be back with all-new episodes of Closing the Gap in September. While you’re waiting...

June brings a new episode of Closing the Gap. This month, we have West Albany High School’s Tori Thorp, Oregon’s 2022 Student Journalist of the Year, with us one last time before she heads off to college! Tori interviews Marley Parker, a science communicator who does photojournalism on science expeditions while traveling to the far reaches of the planet. Visit us at midvalleystem.org.  Check out w...

Join us for this special episode of Closing the Gap. This month on the show, we are speaking with Alaina Percival, co-founder, and CEO of Women Who Code. Alaina discusses the importance of diversifying in the tech industry, why women should pursue careers in tech, and what types of resources Women Who Code has to offer women looking to start a career in the tech industry.  This is an important dis...

Professor of Forest Management and Policy, Mindy Crandall, joins us on Closing the Gap today.  Join us as we talk about her experience in school, where her career had led her to this point, and gain some insight into some of the challenges she has faced when it comes to pursuing education and careers in forestry.    Visit us at www. MidValleySTEM.org     music by: Blood Red Sun

In this episode of Closing the Gap, we talk to Oceanography Ph. D. student, Jennifer Wong-Ala.  Jennifer was born and raised in Hawai'i and moved to Oregon to pursue her master's degree and Ph. D., join us as we discuss what that cultural transition was like, and her experience pursuing an education at OSU. Jennifer also gives us some great book recommendations.    Music: Fish on Land  Blood Red S...

Advocate for access, education, representation of Indigenous Americans in tech, Robin Maxkii, joins us on Closing the Gap today.  Join us as we talk about her experience in school, where her career had led her to this point, and gain some insight into some of the challenges Indigenous Americans face when it comes to pursuing education and careers in tech.    Visit us at www. MidValleySTEM.org   Th...

On this episode of Closing the Gap, we are joined by Dr. Lisa Avery the President of Linn-Benton Community College. Join us as we discuss why pursuing post-secondary education is important and the role community colleges play in the areas they serve.    Visit us at midvalleystem.org   Music by Blood Red Sun 

In this episode we learn whats it's like to run a makerspace.  Join us as we speak with Ashley Merback, Co-Owner of Highland Woodshop in Corvallis, Oregon. Along the way, we find a connection between learning self-sufficiency skills and the benefits it has on one's mental health.    Find us at MidValleySTEM.org Music by: Blood Red Sun 

On this episode of Closing the Gap, we speak with Ommidala Pattawong, a chemistry instructor at Linn-Benton Community College. Join us as we talk about following your dreams and Ommidala's experience growing up in Thailand to pursuing and Ph. D. and career in the United States.    To learn more about women working in STEM and skilled trades visit our website, midvalleystem.org.    Music: Fish on L...

On this episode of Closing the Gap, we talk to Devon Chase. Devon is Chef and Co-owner of Saint Perpetua Patio in Yachats, Oregon. We discuss their career and opting for on-the-job training over culinary school and much more. Join us for this fun episode about one person's experience in the foodservice industry.    To learn more about women working in STEM and skilled trades visit our website, mid...

On this episode of Closing the Gap we talk to a postdoctoral fellow in the microbiology department at Oregon State University, Veronika Kivenson. West Albany High school journalism student, Tori Thorp is back and asks Veronika about her educational path to earning her degree.    Music by: Blood Red Sun 

In this episode, we talk to construction worker Courtney Conklin. Courtney is an Equipment Operator at Knife River. We will discuss her experience in the industry and her educational path to becoming a certified Equipment Operator.    To learn more about women working in STEM and skilled trades visit our website, midvalleystem.org.    Music: Fish on Land by Blood Red Sun

Bicycle mechanic and owner of Gladys Bikes in Portland, Oregon, Cassie Hidalgo shares with us her journey down the mechanic and business owner career path. We touch on the joys and hardships of participating in this industry and how she got to where she is now.   

This is the June edition of Closing the Gap with special guest Savannah Herrell. Savannah is an electrician here in our community and she is here to talk about her personal experience as a woman in the trades.     To learn more about us and to download the poster for this episode visit our website, midvalleystem.org.

Join us for our 2nd live show! We will be chatting with Sisi Virasak, our Closing the Gap featured role model for May. Sisi is a member of the Computer Science faculty at Linn-Benton Community College. Learn more at www.midvalleystem.org/closing-the-gap .

The Mid-Valley STEM-CTE Hub created "Closing the Gap" to highlight professional women from our region who are working in STEM & Trades fields. This way, girls can see local women who are working in these careers and can consider these careers for themselves. This podcast features an interview with Ashley D'Antonio. Ashley is a recreation ecologist and professor at Oregon State University.  Learn m...

The Mid-Valley STEM-CTE Hub created "Closing the Gap" to highlight professional women from our region who are working in STEM & Trades fields. This way, girls can see local women who are working in these careers and can consider these careers for themselves. This podcast features an interview with Barbara Hanley. Barbara currently works for Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU) as a Research As...