Clarkson University Honors Student Selected for the Society of Women Engineers Collegiate Leadership Institute
Potsdam, NY (09/03/2025) — POTSDAM, N.Y. - Clarkson University Honors student Kirby Davidson from Red Hook, NY, has been selected for the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Collegiate Leadership Institute (CLI), a competitive national program that runs from August through February and develops leadership, communication, and career-readiness skills for emerging engineers.
SWE's CLI offers virtual programming, including workshops and networking, focused on leadership development, professional preparation, and structured mentorship with engineering professionals. Participants build confidence, strengthen communication and teamwork, and connect with a national network of peers, mentors, and industry partners.
"SWE at Clarkson is dedicated to fostering leadership, technical excellence, and outreach among our students." explained Lisette Fernandez, the Clarkson faculty advisor to SWE. "Kirby's selection for the Collegiate Leadership Institute is a testament to her remarkable contributions, and to the strength of Clarkson's chapter in preparing the next generation of engineers."
"I'm entering my senior year, and the focus on professional development and career-readiness really jumped out at me," said Davidson. "I want to present myself as the strongest applicant for the positions I'll be applying to this year, and I knew this program would build my skills and my confidence."
"It is wonderful to see our students excel and be recognized for their achievements," said Professor Silvana Andreescu, the Egon Matijevic Endowed Chair in Chemistry and Professor of Bioanalytical Chemistry. "We are incredibly proud of Kirby and all that she has accomplished. This achievement reflects our commitment in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry to educate our undergraduate students and help them grow into skilled professionals and future leaders ready to make an impact."
Davidson has been making her mark at Clarkson since she arrived. An active member of Clarkson's Society of Women Engineers since her first year, Davidson served as Outreach Chair during her sophomore and junior years and now serves as Professional Development Chair. In that role, she acts as a liaison between the SWE chapter and corporate sponsors, and previously led outreach connecting Clarkson SWE with the Potsdam community to encourage younger students to explore careers for women in STEM. She attended SWE's national conference in Chicago last year and will be attending the national conference again this year in New Orleans.
She received the Clarkson Honors Gary Kelly Outstanding First-Year Student Award in 2023. She was recognized with a Clarkson University Commendable Service Award in 2024 and 2025 as well as a Clarkson University Commendable Leadership Award in April 2025.
Davidson is double-majoring in Chemistry and Biomolecular Science and minoring in Business Studies.
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Clarkson student Kirby Davidson at the American Chemical Society National Conference, Spring 2025.
Clarkson University
Jake Newman, jnewman@clarkson.edu, 315-268-6764Share this Story
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