Student Profile: Molly Yowler
Perhaps one of the most valuable aspects of the Chatham experience is the community here. As a student, I (Abigail Kneuss ‘22) have learned to lean on and learn through its members. In an effort to showcase just a few of these great people, I’ll be doing a series of student interviews in the coming weeks. These highlights are for students, about students, and by students. This week features Molly Yowler ‘24.
Molly is a Psychology and Criminology student who bravely took over the role of Chatham Student Government’s President of the Class of 2024 amidst a global pandemic last year. She is also the Communications Executive for the Chatham Cold Case Club, and an advocate for mental health and gender equity. Learn more about her below!
Molly Yowler ‘24
she/her
Major: Psychology and Criminology with a minor in Political Science
Hometown: Beaver Falls, PA
Q: Why did you decide to come to Chatham?
A: Originally, I wasn’t looking at small schools at all. Somehow, I ended up doing a search for the best schools for women leaders and women in politics and found Chatham. What drew me the most was the strong focus on women leaders and once I saw the campus, I was really in love. I was also looking for something on the liberal side since I grew up in a small conservative town where I wasn’t around a lot of people who shared the same views as me. I wanted to find an environment that was super accepting where I would fit in and I found that at Chatham.
Q: What drew you to your majors?
A: I started as a political science major and although I still have a lot of interest in politics, I realized that what is really important to me is mental health access and care. I’ve had some really terrible and some really fantastic experiences in the mental health field and I want to help create those fantastic spaces for people. It’s especially important as we are coming out of a year where a lot of people were struggling. I’m also exploring the possibility of going to law school, so that’s where my criminology major comes into play.
Q: Can you tell me about your work with CSG?
A: Last year, we focused on menstrual inequality on campus and we’re picking up where we left off this year. Our main end goal is to get Chatham to provide free menstrual products in bathrooms on campus. We spent a lot of our time last year researching period poverty. We also conducted a campus-wide poll to gauge the students’ opinions on the project and the responses were strongly in support of the project. We’re currently working with health services and some other clubs on campus that are supporting us and hope to get the products in bathrooms soon.
Q: Outside of your studies, what do you enjoy doing?
A: I feel like my brain is always running, so I’m constantly picking up new things. A therapeutic hobby of mine is crochet. I also spent a lot of time in high school being involved with marches and protests in the area and I would like to get into working with those in the city this year. I also enjoy going for walks, I love walking through Squirrel Hill, it’s my favorite part of the city. There’s a lot of diversity and culture there, and you’ll always find something to do.
Q: What’s the most important thing you learned from your first year?
A: I think I learned that I need to be more proactive in self-care. I think a big part of college is learning the balance of taking care of yourself and going to school. Finding that balance can take many forms, but you’ll benefit a lot from discovering what works for you. COVID has been really difficult on everybody. You’re not alone in the way that you're feeling. I think last year I felt that I was alone in that when I wasn’t. Just talk to someone, I know it sounds really cheesy, but it does help.