Academic Success: Samantha Schultz '17

Samantha Schultz '17 has always loved science and landed in physics because she loves learning how everything works.  Her inquisitive nature was the perfect match for the international research project cataloguing the Pisces-Perseus Supercluster of galaxies that she was introduced to by Professor Ron Olowin. She loves the mystery of learning why there is a void in the galaxy where there are no stars.  Her work, along with that of students from 16 other universities, is being reported and observed by the world’s largest radio telescope in Puerto Rico. Sam is excited by this original research and the prospect of finding the answer to this mystery. 

Professor Jessica Kintner has been instrumental in Sam’s education and encouraged her to apply for a Clare Boothe Luce Scholarship for women in science. Receiving this scholarship for her junior and senior years has boosted her confidence and motivated her to inspire other women to enter the many fascinating STEM careers.

While at Saint Mary’s, Sam also wanted to study abroad one semester—a difficult proposition given the demands of a science major.  With the help of Professor Kintner and Maria Flores in the Study Abroad office, they were able to map out a course of study so that Sam could spend first semester of her junior year at Queen Mary University of London in a top-ranked physics program. This was her first time traveling outside of the United States. 

Her London experience was so life-changing that she is now working hard to encourage other science majors to study abroad. She is a peer mentor in the Study Abroad office, leading workshops for science majors to make study abroad a reality, mentoring others in scholarship essay writing, and participating in an outreach program to encourage high school students to major in science.

Sam plans to pursue a graduate degree in analytics and continue to promote the incredible education she has received at Saint Mary’s. She says, “I am extremely grateful for my scholarship. This support means the world to me and I look forward to inspiring others to make their passion for science a reality.”

Watch the Women in Science video profile of Samantha.