Jennifer Hawk

Dr. Hawk joined the Converse family in August 2016 as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry.  She teaches General Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, and Instrumental Analysis.  She also enjoys teaching general education classes that focus on the chemistry of food and cooking and the current issues in society that relate to those topics.  Prior to joining Converse, she was an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill NY. In graduate school at Duke University, she was awarded the Pelham Wilder Teaching Award on two different occasions for her outstanding teaching.

Dr. Hawk is originally from Ohio and still says crazy things like “pop” and “guys”. In her free time, Dr. Hawk enjoys Duke Basketball, hiking, baking and knitting. She is excited to explore the Upstate and all it has to offer.

Scholarly & Research Activity

Dr. Hawk attended Hillsdale College for her undergraduate studies and double majored in Chemistry and Physics.  She has always enjoyed thinking about where the two disciplines intersect. While in graduate school, Dr. Hawk’s research focused on developing new hybrid polymeric materials and testing their mechanical properties.  Her current research interests span the fields of spectroscopy, instrumental analysis, physical chemistry, polymeric materials, and chemical education.  She is looking forward to developing a research program involving Converse students and supramolecular polymers.