Jonathan Van Schenck

Biography

I am currently finishing my penultimate year of undergraduate work at Seattle Pacific University where I will be getting a double major in Physics and Mathematics.  I first got involved with SPS in 2012 helping with educational outreaches to local elementary schools. Since then, I’ve become president of my school’s chapter and have worked to expand our program. In particular, I have worked to expand the interdisciplinary community at my school, helping to bridge both the theoretical/experimental gap, and the STEM/non-STEM gap. My chapter regularly entertains a wide variety of majors and interests, acting to bring our school together. In addition to the SPS leadership I’ve been involved in, I also involved in a number of other leadership roles on my campus: most focused on mentoring younger students. After I graduate next year, I hope to gain a PhD in theoretical physics and then teach at the collegiate level. More than anything I love pouring into the lives of young students—encouraging them not only in their academic pursuits, but also as people.