Junior Council Workshop | Communication & Public Speaking
What to Expect: Each Junior Council meeting combines council business, leadership activities, and a workshop designed to build practical skills for college, careers, and community leadership. This month’s session focuses on Communication & Public Speaking, led by Dr. Stephanie Wideman (University of Indianapolis) and featuring a career spotlight from Dr. Irene Reizman (Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at Rose Hulman).
About the Speakers:
Dr. Stephanie Wideman began her time at UIndy in 2017. Before coming to Indianapolis, she taught at a variety of institutions including: SUNY-Oswego, Wayne State University, University of Michigan- Dearborn, and the University of West Florida. In addition to her role as an assistant professor, she is the Director of the UIndy Forensics Speech & Debate Team and has had the privilege of working with several state and national award-winning forensics teams.
Dr. Irene Reizman’s areas of expertise include biochemical engineering and biotechnology. Her research encompasses both a technical program, focused on undergraduate projects in biochemical engineering, and an engineering education component, examining the impacts of undergraduate research experiences on student mindset and educational outcomes. She is currently leading a student research project investigating the use of biosensors in industrial fermentation. Winner of the 2026 Board of Trustees Outstanding Scholar Award, Dr. Reizman previously worked for Whirlpool, Geno (now Again Bio), and SCHOTT AG, along with conducting project work at the Forschungszentrum Jülich in Germany.
Eligibility & Access: Junior Council is open to Indiana middle & high school students. Meetings are held in person at IAS HQ (Indianapolis) with a hybrid Zoom option for students joining from across the state. Participation counts toward community service hours and provides leadership experience, career exposure, and statewide networking through the Indiana Academy of Science.