Kish STEM students benefit from ‘Smitty’ Assistantship

Three Kishwaukee College students participated in science-based learning opportunities during the 2024-2025 school year thanks to the Robert L. “Smitty” Smith Assistantship.

The assistantship offers hands-on learning and research opportunities under the supervision of Kish faculty for students pursuing science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) programs. In 2021, Dr. Dale and Sharon Evans established the assistantship through the Kishwaukee College Foundation with a donation honoring former Kish science instructor Robert L. “Smitty” Smith. Crediting instructors like Smith for providing mentorship and educational opportunities during their time at Kish, the Evanses established the assistantship to provide STEM options to a new generation of students.

During the Fall 2024 semester, Lily Goode and Grace Wzientek participated in the assistantship under the guidance of John Boesche, Assistant Professor of Diesel Power Technology. In 2024, the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) awarded Kish a Rev Up EV Community College Initiative grant to expand the College’s Diesel Power Technology program to include heavy-duty electronic vehicles. Through research and planning, Goode and Wzientek helped identify and purchase necessary safety equipment, specialized tools and electronic vehicles to support the budding program.

“I was very excited to have the opportunity for this apprenticeship. I am currently a fleet mechanic but want to become a Career and Technical Education (CTE) teacher in the future,” Goode said. “It took some late nights at the school and a lot of outside research, but I am proud of what we accomplished and can’t wait to see our hard work put into effect.”

“I always loved extending my knowledge for this program, and this was a great opportunity for me to help this curriculum grow. I knew our hard work would pay off, and I am very excited to use the knowledge I gained for my future career,” Wzientek said.

In the Spring 2025 semester, Daniella Zamora participated in the assistantship under the direction of Dr. Nicole Potts, Professor of Chemistry, and Dr. Laura Murdaugh, Associate Professor of Chemistry.

Zamora helped create a Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) library, which future Kish organic chemistry students can use to compare synthesized compounds. Zamora’s research work included the synthesis of compounds, filtration, purification and analysis.

“Daniella experienced a true research setting during her apprenticeship. She started with researching a chemical, designing and executing the experiment with correct equipment and techniques, and then ran the analysis on the synthesized product,” Dr. Murdaugh said. “She created a useful tool that students will later be able to utilize. She was a great student, dependable and eager to learn.”

Learn more about the Kishwaukee College Foundation at kish.edu/foundation.