Academic Culture & Values

Supporting an Academic Culture of Excellence and Success in the Curriculum

The Department of Chemistry strives to create a holistic learning environment throughout our curriculum via the offering of a diverse range of courses that provide a comprehensive foundation for the study of chemistry. Our curriculum provides classroom and hands-on research opportunities that effectively prepare each student for entry into post-baccalaureate programs or direct entry into the workforce by carefully integrating academic rigor and contemporary research. Classroom-based learning is supplemented by immersive independent research experiences, a robust seminar program that highlights scientific excellence across a wide spectrum of backgrounds and experiences, study abroad programs, and participation in national conferences.

Our curriculum instills critical thinking, data analysis, engagement with primary literature, and communication skills in students. We actively engage with the COLL curriculum at all levels to support and challenge our students in a true liberal arts experience, showcasing the impact of chemistry on human health, the environment and society. The upper-level electives allow students to specialize in different fields of chemistry and offer the ability to more deeply engage in a wide range of topics. These smaller enrollment courses facilitate faculty-student interactions and mentorship, and cultivate transferable skills that boost our students' marketability and long-term career advancement.

Finally, our synergistic B.S. and M.S. degree programs reinforce our commitment to research-driven education, offering students opportunities to engage in open inquiry, innovation and academic success.

Supporting the Success of All Students

The Department of Chemistry is committed to building a strong academic and support infrastructure that enables all students to succeed. Chemistry faculty are actively involved in major, minor, pre-major and pre-professional advising to support all students throughout their time at William & Mary and beyond. Additionally, many faculty involve students in research labs, providing valuable hands-on experience that strengthens academic performance and career readiness.

Recognizing that our courses serve a broad range of students, including many on pre-health tracks, we are dedicated to supporting each student’s academic development and helping them to achieve their professional goals through coursework, advising and extracurricular opportunities. A central initiative is our PRIME (Peer Retention and Inclusive Mentoring Experience) program, which pairs students in introductory courses with trained peer mentors. This hybrid tutoring/mentoring program builds a sense of community throughout the department, provides mentorship experiences for our majors, and offers educational support to all students by serving as an additional resource beyond the classroom. PRIME mentors plan and coordinate social events to reach a wide range of students, foster collaboration, and allow students engaged in the curriculum to interact and deepen their experiences in chemistry. The scope of programs includes career planning, exam reviews and stress management practices.

Beyond PRIME, we support several student organizations (Chemistry Club, NOBCChE, and Health Careers Club) to foster community and provide valuable resources to supplement the classroom-based learning for all students. Several awards and scholarships are also available to students.

Supporting the Success of Faculty and Staff

The Department of Chemistry is committed to fostering the professional growth, satisfaction and long-term success of both faculty and staff. This commitment is reflected in our formal mentoring practices, active participation in departmental governance and ongoing support for career development, including access to professional development funds.

New faculty members are paired with experienced colleagues who provide guidance on teaching, research,and service. Mentorship extends beyond early career support to include mid-career and senior faculty, fostering a collaborative culture where professional goals are shared and supported. Both long-term and short-term initiatives are in place to support teaching, through instructional demonstrations at faculty meetings, establishment of strong connections with the Studio for Teaching & Learning Innovation (STLI), and workshops to support instructional innovation.

Similarly, staff members are supported to pursue training and development opportunities aligned with their roles and career aspirations. Faculty and staff members are all included on departmental committees and are included in key planning processes, reinforcing the importance of shared governance and department-wide success.

Recognition of accomplishments is an ongoing priority; we highlight professional successes in our annual newsletter and meetings, highlighting a culture of mutual respect and appreciation that transcends academic titles.

Regular events, such as Sci-Fri, recruitment poster sessions, and monthly faculty meetings, create informal and formal spaces for communication, collaboration, and professional growth. These events build community and ensure that all members of the department remain informed and engaged.

Through these efforts, we actively cultivate an environment where faculty and staff are supported, valued and positioned for success.