Stephanie Knezz

Stephanie Knezz is an Associate Professor of Instruction at Northwestern University's Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences, within the Department of Chemistry. She specializes in adapting STEM curricula to be culturally relevant and inclusive, particularly for large introductory courses such as Organic Chemistry. Her work emphasizes identity-focused teaching strategies to support historically underrepresented students in STEM.

Education:

• Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) from Butler University, 2011
• Ph.D. (Chemistry) from University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2016
• Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at Northwestern University

Research & Teaching Focus: Knezz’s research integrates her background in physical organic chemistry with pedagogical innovation. She prioritizes inclusive educational practices, leveraging her performing arts background to engage students dynamically. She has contributed to curriculum development for organic and general chemistry courses, including a multifaceted synthesis project at Butler University and lab experiment/assessment design at Northwestern.

Recognition & Initiatives: Her efforts have been featured in Chemistry World (July 2023) and C&E News (June 2019). She is active in the NSF-funded CIRTL Network (Delta program) at UW-Madison, promoting teaching excellence. Her office is Tech L212, and she advocates for educational equity through both academic and community roles, including local government service in Kenosha, WI.

Advising & Grants: While no specific advisees or grants are listed, her teaching and curriculum development efforts directly impact student success. She focuses on fostering self-efficacy among underrepresented students to enhance their persistence in STEM fields.

Labs & Teams: Knezz is involved in lab instruction and curriculum design for introductory chemistry courses at Northwestern. She collaborates with educational initiatives to refine teaching methods and maintain a student-centered approach in large classes.