Emmy Morin and Samantha “Sam” Evanoff, 4th-year undergraduate students, have been awarded the 2025 Harriet K. Switzer Leadership Award.
The Harriet K. Switzer Leadership Award, distributed by the Women’s Society of Washington University (WSWU), is granted to graduating seniors for their outstanding and significant contributions to the university as undergraduates and have demonstrated exceptional leadership. After receiving many nominations, WSWU selected three final awardees, with Emmy and Sam receiving nominations from Chemistry faculty and staff members.
Emmy and Sam have been active and engaged students in the Chemistry Department. Sam is a Peer Leader with the General Chemistry PLTL program, and Emmy is a General Chemistry Teaching Assistant. In addition to their teaching responsibilities, both students are active in various roles on campus, including undergraduate research (Emmy has been an undergraduate researcher in both the Sadtler Lab and Loomis Lab, and Sam in the Kroll Lab) and as ambassadors for study abroad peer advising.
“Emmy has served both the Chemistry department and the university during her time as an undergraduate student here. She has facilitated over 150 students in her General Chemistry recitation subsections, striving to make the course content accessible and supporting students as they make key connections with the material,” shared Dr. Megan Daschbach, Teaching Professor of Chemistry and Director of Chemistry Peer-Led Team Learning Program, who nominated Emmy for the award.
“She also works tirelessly to inspire her students to persevere in the face of challenge. In addition, she has played a major role in the Washington University Chemistry Tournament, including initiating changes that would allow students from all backgrounds to have their successes celebrated throughout their experience in the tournament" Daschbach further explains, "She has not only left a lasting impression on her students, but she has inspired the faculty and staff who have had the pleasure of working with her.”
Taking on the responsibility as student leaders and teachers, Emmy and Sam work in a crucial space, bridging the gap between independent study and classroom instruction for those enrolled in general chemistry. Being able to juggle that responsibility while also being full-time students is typically not an easy feat. However, Emmy and Sam make it seem effortless.
“Sam has not only been working to advance the peer-led team learning program in the chemistry department as a ‘mentor of mentors, ’” says Matthew Kummer, the Chemistry Department’s Academic Learning Program Manager. “But [she] is an outstanding leader in the broader WashU community and the city in which we reside. Her passionate display of advocacy and care for children and their families, particularly those affected by disabilities, makes Sam exceedingly deserving of the recognition which accompanies this prestigious award.”
Emmy and Sam were presented with the award during the Women's Society Annual Meeting on April 11th, 2025, where they received a framed certificate and $1,000.
