Finding the chemistry in persistence

For first-generation student Kamber Lee, a course in chemistry became an extended odyssey in overcoming the demands of a rigorous academic course as well as an illustration of how asking for help can make all the difference.

“I loved chemistry in high school, so when I enrolled in General Chemistry at Virginia Tech, I thought it would be easy,” said Lee, a graduating senior and this year’s recipient of the inaugural College of Natural Resources and Environment Persistence and Commitment to Success Award, which celebrates students who have overcome challenges to achieve success.

“But I was in for a rude awakening: Nearing the end of the semester, I realized that I did not have anything close to a passing grade.”

That realization led Lee to seek advice from Melissa Cumbia, an academic advisor for the college’s Advising Center.

“Melissa told me that I could withdraw from the course and try again, and she assured me that lots of people struggle with chemistry,” said Lee, who is majoring in water: resources, policy, and management in the Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation. “She went through some of the different options with me, including trying to pass the course through community college over the summer.”

Lee tried that route, but the accelerated pace of the summer course – where students do a semester of coursework in two months – proved just as insurmountable: Lee didn’t pass for the second time.

“It was kind of a kick in the gut all over again, and I felt so defeated. I didn’t know why I couldn’t pass it, and I had spent money and my summer break trying to get through it and it just didn’t work out again.”

Enter, again, Cumbia, who encouraged Lee to take a recitation course in addition to the chemistry course, a one-credit option that provides students with weekly quizzes and worksheets to reinforce the materials in a course. She also suggested that Lee attend office hours with the class teaching assistant to review materials.

“When Kamber experienced academic difficulty, she sought advice from me and her instructors, explored the resources available to her, and reviewed academic policies to understand her options,” said Cumbia. “Her ability to leverage networks of support to overcome academic challenges recommends her for this award.”

“I’m an open book about all of this,” said Lee, who is minoring in green engineering. “All of the support I received gave me the extra boost I needed to pull through, defeat my anxiety about tests, and get a passing grade in the class.”

From a pandemic start to a degree in water

Lee entered Virginia Tech at a disorienting moment: The COVID pandemic was in full swing, and the ordinary expectations of a first-year experience were hard to come by.

“It was a little tough coming in freshman year, which was my first time ever living away from home,” said Lee, who is the oldest of six siblings. “We weren’t able to go out and meet friends and mingle, and all of my classes were online, so it was very isolating.”

Lee, who hails from the small town of Blairs, in Pittsylvania County, eventually found a community to access when she joined Virginia Tech’s Block and Bridle Club, which aims to promote youth participation in agriculture through an array of community service events. For Lee, who grew up tending to both poultry and livestock on a family farm, the group was a logical fit.

“It’s been a great way to meet people at Tech who are also from small farming towns, who can appreciate agriculture,” said Lee, who was an active participant in FFA events in high school. “And it’s also nice to be on the other side of competitions now, as somebody who gets to help the kids who are there competing.”

Lee’s connection to her hometown and community in southern Virginia also influenced her decision to pursue a major in water: resources, policy, and management with a focus on hydrology.

“Being from a small town, we have an abundance of private wells, and we have many small and large waterways that run through the area,” said Lee. “I have friends that farm cattle and grow crops, and many of us also use the water recreationally, so the subject of water is a big deal for us.”

Last summer, Lee worked as an intern for the Pittsylvania Soil and Water Conservation District, where she learned about the practical side of water policy and management while also assessing data and using GIS technology for land and elevation mapping.

“I learned about best management practices that can be implemented to help water stressors, such as stream exclusion projects which mitigate pollution from livestock,” said Lee, who also helped to develop educational opportunities for area schools. “It was really interesting to learn about the importance of protecting our waterways not just in my county but all over Virginia, and I was able to make a lot of great connections with our local project producers.”

Advisor Cumbia said that Lee’s passion for her major is tied to her strong desire to give back to her community.

“Kamber’s firmly held belief that her studies will equip her to do good after graduation, especially in rural communities like her hometown, has motivated her to overcome several challenges during her academic career,” said Cumbia, who recently received the 2024 Excellence in Advising – Primary Advisor Award for Region 2 of the National Academic Advising Association. “Kamber has always impressed me with her diligence and persistence, and I’m thrilled to see her achievements recognized.”

For Lee, who has supported herself through college by working in both dining services and the campus bookstore, graduating from Virginia Tech is a fulfilment of a dream that began when she visited campus for agriculture competitions during her youth.

“I was once one of those kids coming to Virginia Tech to compete, and I thought it was so fun to miss school to come to a college campus,” said Lee. “It’s been amazing to study here and learn how intertwined natural resources and agriculture really are, and I’m excited to see where I go next.”

Students in the College of Natural Resources and Environment who would like to meet with an academic advisor or learn more about support services can do so by visiting the Advising Center website.