A student in Tennessee Tech University’s Department of Chemistry was among just 15 recipients of a prestigious award from the American Chemical Society.

Sydney Decatur, a junior chemistry major with minors in math and musical performance from Maryville, Tenn., was part of an elite group selected for the 2025 ACS Student Leadership Award. Decatur was chosen from a pool of more than 200 applicants from across the world and received an all-expenses-paid trip to the ACS Leadership Institute, an invitation-only conference held this year in Houston, Texas.

“I honestly was not really expecting it,” Decatur said of the award. “I was speechless, truly, opening that email and seeing I had gotten it. It was such an amazing opportunity and something I’ll never forget. It really impacted me and helped me with my confidence in where I was at that point.”

Decatur called her trip to the ACS Leadership Institute a valuable learning and networking opportunity.

“That was something that got me out of my comfort zone,” she explained. “I do consider myself more of an introvert. But I got to meet a lot of great people, and I was inspired by so many people’s stories and how they got to where they are. It solidified my interest in staying with ACS and being involved. I learned a lot about myself and a lot about different paths in careers in chemistry.”

Decatur chalks up her passion for chemistry to the influence of her mother – who also studied chemistry before going on to a successful career as a regulatory analyst – as well as a childhood fascination with “learning about the way the world works.”

“Sometimes with chemistry, it’s like a mystery you’re trying to solve,” Decatur added.

At Tech, Decatur says her academic pursuits have been supported by caring faculty like Amanda Carroll, master lecturer and director of advising and student success in the Department of Chemistry.

“I’ve known Dr. Carroll since SOAR [freshman orientation]. She’s incredibly supportive. She even comes to my musical performances,” said Decatur. “I know she’s a person I could always come to with questions or concerns. I think that’s part of the reason why our ACS student chapter is so successful. She’s a great mentor to all of us.”

Outside of Carroll, Decatur has found a sense of welcome and belonging from the broader university community, too.

“When I first visited Tech, I really noticed how large the chemistry department was. The new Lab Science Commons building had just opened. It was all very exciting. I could tell the chemistry program was cared about and was strong,” Decatur reflected. “I absolutely love it here. I’ve learned so much. I’ve been able to do research since my freshman year. I feel very supported by the program and all the professors really care about their students.”

Following her expected graduation from Tech next year, Decatur plans to continue her studies at graduate school and is considering future paths working at a national laboratory or teaching at the collegiate level. 

“I’m open to whatever opportunities lie ahead,” she concluded.

Decatur’s ACS Student Leadership Award win marks the eighth straight year that a Tech student was selected for the coveted honor. In 2022, Tech’s ACS student chapter was ranked among the top 10 across all university campuses.

Learn more about Tech’s Department of Chemistry at www.tntech.edu/chemistry.