When Emily Rider walked into her first in-person class after the COVID-19 shutdown — “How the Earth Works” at Kent State University’s Stark Campus — she didn’t know it would set her on a path that would take her across the country, deep into fossil beds and high into the mountains.
That first geology course led Rider to join Geodes, the Stark Campus geology club. She started as a quiet member, then became secretary, vice president and finally president during the 2024–2025 school year. In August, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in geology and is now pursuing a Master of Science in geology at Kent State.
“Being active in the geology department has led me to some amazing opportunities,” Rider said. “The geology department made me feel right at home.”
Carrie Schweitzer, Ph.D., a professor in Kent State’s Department of Earth Sciences, has seen that transformation firsthand.
“Emily started out lacking confidence in her abilities in science and is now a master’s student,” Schweitzer said. “She really grew in her confidence and, more importantly, her critical thinking skills as a scientist.”
Rider’s passion for hands-on learning has taken her far from the classroom — most recently to Kent State’s Geology Field Camp from May 25 to June 29, 2025. The five-week trip, led by David Hacker, Ph.D., and his teaching assistants, taught rock identification, geologic mapping and camping skills. It also included visits to Yellowstone, the Badlands, and Grand Teton National Park.
“These visits gave us mental breaks and were truly beautiful experiences,” Rider said.
Schweitzer believes experiences like field camp and conferences are “critical in the development of students.” Rider’s own track record proves it — after taking Earth Materials 1, she became fascinated with minerals and completed an independent study identifying an unlabeled mineral in the university’s collection. She presented her findings at a Geological Society of America meeting. She also worked in the Stark Campus “mudroom,” testing wellfield and pond water quality and training other students in the process.
As Geodes president, Rider planned field trips, game nights, bake sales and community activities. She even helped create geology kits for the Portage County Park District, complete with rock and mineral specimens, identification keys and educational puzzles.
“Emily excels at working with students, conducting research and planning events,” Schweitzer said. “She has strong potential to be a great scientist and/or science educator.”
Earlier this year, Rider also attended the Geological Society of America’s Rocky Mountain Sectional research conference.
“I’ve had so many opportunities to present my research and travel,” Rider said. “I’m grateful for all of it.”
Looking ahead, Rider hopes to combine her love for geology with outreach and education.
“I want to inspire others to see the world through a geologic lens,” Rider said. “The Earth has so many stories to tell.”
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Media Contact:
Jim Maxwell, JMAXWEL2@kent.edu, 330-672-8028