First-Generation College Student, Stroup '27 Finds Success at Mount Union
December 15, 2025By Fatima Magaña '22
ALLIANCE – Some people set goals and forget to look back at them, but biochemistry and computer science double major, Valerie Stroup ’27, has worked relentlessly to acheive her goals, using them as the driving motive to be successful in and outside the classroom.
Valerie Stroup '27
“My parents did not go to college, so every accomplishment I achieve is an achievement they accomplished too,” said Stroup. “From going to club meetings to attending conferences to present my research, my family lives these moments from a distance, but with the same excitement as me.”
It was important for Stroup’s family that she pursue a college degree that would allow her to be professionally and financially successful. With the help of faculty members like Dr. Debra Boyd-Kimball, professor of biochemistry and chemistry, and Dr. Christine Morales, assistant professor of biochemistry and chemistry, Stroup has stepped out of her comfort zone, expanding her social circle and gaining field experience.
“Dr. Boyd-Kimball helped me finish planning my major as a freshman and led me to Raiderfest to help me get involved on campus,” said Stroup. “Dr. Morales has answered questions about different careers in chemistry, find graduate programs, build my resume, and helped me get to conferences to give research presentations.”
Stroup has traveled to Purdue University to attend the Midwest Undergraduate Computational Chemistry Consortium as well as to Michigan to attend the Eastern Great Lakes Section Fall 2025 Conference. Conducting research early on in college has allowed Stroup to realize that her journey in research will not end at Mount Union, as she would like for her future career to be centered on research.
Stroup '27 outside of Tolerton and Hood
“Valerie has been doing research with me this semester (Fall 2025) as a one-credit elective; this was a continuation of her research project with me as a Center for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (CSDAI) intern during Summer 2025, entitled “Why Might PFAS Last 'Forever'? A Quantum Chemistry Investigation,” said Morales.
Morales, who has worked with Stroup for just one semester, is both astonished and proud of the progress Stroup has made.
“I think the proudest moment for me was seeing Valerie present her research at a smaller meeting of the Midwest Undergraduate Computational Chemistry Consortium this summer,” said Morales. “The quiet person who often uses lists and notes to stay organized when communicating with me in our research meetings had evolved into an engaging scientific communicator who fielded a lot of great questions from other attendees.”
Stroup acknowledges that having a wide array of experiences is crucial to succeed in life; therefore, she is also studying German and plans to study abroad in Lüneburg this summer. Learn more about how you can start your journey as a first-generation college student at Mount Union.