Kassidy Adams, a junior majoring in chemical engineering at Mississippi State University, is not only involved in many things on campus, but is also described by many to be kind-hearted.
Adams said during her senior year of high school, she decided to major in chemical engineering based on the subjects she truly enjoyed, including calculus and chemistry. Now, she is the president of two organizations: the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AICHE) and Girls Engineering Change.
Adams said she also does several things in her free time, which include studying for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), going on runs and brewing her own beer.
“A couple years ago the [chemical engineering] department had the seniors brew beer as one of their labs, but they stopped doing it,” Adams said.
Adams has carried on the tradition. She noted her time time spent in the chemistry department has been improved through the various organizations she is a member of.
“AICHE is a professional development organization for chemical engineers. You can join as a professional engineer as well,” Adams said.
She said AICHE allows for members to travel for national conferences, where they learn more about engineering through seminars and making connections with other people in the engineering sphere.
“We do a lot of stuff at MSU too. We do a lot of service projects. Last year, we actually hosted the regional conference at MSU,” Adams said.
Hayden Myers, a senior also majoring in chemical engineering, said she knew Adams from her freshman year when the two had a class together. Myers said she has grown closer to Adams through their shared experiences.
“Now, she is the co-president of AICHE,” said Myers, who acts as co-chairman and helps organize events for the organization.
Ronni Wolfe, a chemical engineering senior, has also witnessed Adams in action. Wolfe commented on a conference from the year before where Adams played an administrative role.
“She made sure everything was organized and ready, and she picked up the slack where people that were supposed to be in charge of something didn’t,” Wolfe said.
Myers stated people tend to report Adams having a kind demeanor.
“She has the ability to talk to anyone and everyone, and I feel like that’s really going to benefit her in the long run,” Myers said.
According to Myers, not only does Adams come across as friendly, but working with her is easy and helpful.
“Even though she’s serious, and you know she wants you to get your stuff done and expects that from you, you also don’t feel like she’s breathing down your neck the whole time,” Myers said.
Wolfe shares Myers’ opinion on the work environment Adams naturally creates.
“She’s very easy-going to work with. She tries to work in everybody’s times. She’s willing to do what she can to make it easier for others. She’s just a really good person, and she’s willing to work with everybody,” Wolfe said.
When asked what came to mind when she thought of the name Kassidy Adams, Myers made it clear she associates a friendly face and a good work environment.
“I think of a nice and familiar face,” said Myers. “And someone who’s really dedicated who knows what she wants.”
In addition to AICHE, Adams is also president of Girls Engineering Change. This organization partners with other organizations and middle schools to teach them about the engineering career path. Adams said the reason she is drawn to this organization is because of their mission.
“Their mission is to break that stigma of engineering being a male dominated field,” Adams said.
Adams said she enjoyed it because it gives younger girls the knowledge they need to have this career path as an opportunity.
“When I was younger, I didn’t have anyone talking to me about engineering. I didn’t even really know it was a thing,” Adams said. “It’s really cool to teach the girls that engineering is for them too.”
When Adams visits the middle schools, she always tries to ask the girls about their favorite subjects.
“Almost all of them, it never fails, say math and science. But then when you ask them if they want to be an engineer, they’re like, ‘no, I don’t know what that is.’ That’s why I love it so much. We get to be mentors to them,” Adams said.
