Senior to Senior Series: Jess Taney ’24
As the semester comes to a close, I am reminded of the accomplishments that we have all made this year and the impact Chatham will have on all of us. The Senior-to-Senior series is an opportunity for graduating students to speak about their time at Chatham and what it means to them.
Jess Taney
Meet Jess Taney, biology major and psychology minor. Jess was kind enough to speak with me about her experience on the volleyball team, her devotion to research, and her exciting new fellowship with the University of Delaware after graduation! I had a great time chatting with Jess about her love for Chatham and its community.
How did you decide to come to Chatham?
I had always liked Pittsburgh, because I’m from the eastern half of the state and I’ve visited a few times. I liked how it was set up and I really liked the vibe. I actually came to Chatham looking to be a criminology major, and they offered that here which they don’t have at a lot of places. I was also recruited here to play volleyball, and when I came and visited the campus it was gorgeous. That’s what really sold me.
What is your favorite part of the biology major?
I really like doing lab work, and one of the cool things about the biology department being a little smaller is the labs feel a lot more personalized. I’ve had the opportunity to work under Dr. Block and do actual wet lab research. We have a really good community in the biology department, especially those of us who do research. We’re like a little family.
What kind of experiences has the biology major created for you? What have you learned?
I really like being able to do research and do projects, like participate in scientific research day. Research day happens at the end of every semester and it’s an opportunity where people in the science department get to present their work. I’ve done some presentations in organic chemistry, and now I’m doing biology-based presentations.
One of the really cool things and an opportunity from the biology department was that I got to do research outside of Chatham, and I think that research helped me get those opportunities. I did a research experience for undergraduates (REU) where I worked at Duquesne doing some biochemistry work on yeast for ten weeks over the summer.
What is your favorite class you’ve taken?
I really liked cell and molecular biology. It’s the name of my major which is probably why I liked it so much! I liked getting into the nitty gritty of cell biology, it was really in-depth which I was interested in. I also liked psychopharmacology which was about drugs and how they work on the brain. Overall, both the professors who I had for those classes were so passionate and lively, it was hard not to be excited about it.
Do you have a favorite senior memory?
I’d have to say playing volleyball for the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) championship; it was the first time Chatham had ever hosted a PAC championship. It was really cool to pioneer that for Chatham sports. It was such an awesome experience because there were so many people there, and to see students come out and support us. It felt like the school was really behind us as we were playing. My teammates have become some of my best friends and so being able to do that with them was just super special.
What would you say to a student looking to get into college sports?
Playing college sports has been so great for my experience at Chatham! My teammates have been such a support system on and off the court. The coaching staff has always been so great and it’s nice to get active and be able to do something most of the time that isn’t homework.
What clubs or groups have you enjoyed?
My experience in clubs has been really good. There’s a mentorship program at Tri Beta that I’ve really been enjoying that just started this year. I’m a mentor and I get to work with a sophomore and I love working with her. It’s cool to see other people at Chatham looking to get into research compared to some of the bigger programs. It’s a little bit of a small community. Also an honorable mention to the Chemistry Club!
What would you tell your first-year self?
I would tell my first-year self to be more outgoing and come out of my shell a bit more. My first year I had a few people I clicked with and I didn’t really branch out until my second year. Doing that sooner would have been really good because there are so many people that I didn’t meet during my freshman year that I wish I had gotten to know sooner.
What are your favorite places to go on and off campus?
I really like sitting in Cafe Rachel whether it’s to sit and study or catch up with my friends. I like that bench that’s by the terrace lot, I like when I get the chance to sit there and overlook the city where I can sit and see the Cathedral of Learning. My favorite off-campus spot would probably be Walnut Street and all of the fun shops and things they have to do. I also love Jam on Walnut over the summer.
What are your plans after graduation?
Next fall I’m starting a PhD program at the University of Delaware in Biology. I’m super excited. I have a fellowship in the chemistry biology interface program, and I’ll get to do biology but mix it with other aspects of science that I don’t always get to do on a day-to-day basis. I would like to one day start coaching volleyball, because it’s something I’ve dabbled in a little bit, especially over the summer. It’s really cool to see younger girls as they are coming into their own; I mainly coach middle school and high school girls right now.
Lirit Gilmore is a Creative Writing and Food Studies student. Lirit’s academic focus is centered in food writing and how it intersects with social location and identity. She is from the DMV and the Midwest, and enjoys baking in her free time. See all her work on Pulse@ChathamU here.