Natalie King, Ph.D

I have to attribute my success to the grounding of my faith, as well as the strength of my family and the support of my family. My faith is what keeps me centered. It reminds me of my purpose, of my calling, especially in moments that require courage and perseverance. I just lean on my faith. And family provides the motivation as well as the accountability. So they are my why and my foundation. And together, I think they anchor me in a way that allows me to pursue ambitious goals while staying rooted in what truly matters.

The best advice I've received is that done is better than finished. My sister tells me that all the time, because I'm a perfectionist. Too often, we try to wait for perfection, and doing so, we delay the action. So I've learned that I have to do it afraid sometimes to move forward, even when I don't have all the answers. And more importantly, I have to position myself as a problem solver. I tell mentees, always position yourself as a problem solver, because you'll always be in demand. So when you become known as someone who's going to identify challenges and create solutions, opportunities will consistently find you. That is the advice that I've received, that I've implemented, and that I pass along to others.

What I like to tell young women entering particularly into STEM education and STEM fields is that do not leave pieces of yourself behind, or feel pressured to change who you are to fit a certain mold. Particularly in the sciences, this has been an issue. And so, we just try to remind them that their lived experiences, their voices, their perspectives are not liabilities, they're really our greatest asset. And so, if they can just walk into spaces with audacity, with confidence, and just allow the space to adjust to who they are, that's where they will experience success. So, just don't be afraid to fully show up as yourself, because when you do that, you don't just succeed, but you also create pathways for others to do the same.

Artificial intelligence is what I would say, AI. I'm actually going to list it as both a challenge and an opportunity, and I'll say it this way, because artificial intelligence presents a significant challenge as well as an opportunity within STEM education, but it's almost like a double-edged sword. While it has the potential to expand access, to enhance learning, as well as accelerate innovation, I feel like it also risks diminishing critical thinking skills, because a lot of people are relying on it uncritically. And so, AI recycles existing knowledge, but as educators and emerging scholars, we're designed to create new knowledge. And so, the opportunity lies in teaching our students and those who grew up in this age of AI not just how to use it, but also how to think beyond it, question it, and innovate in ways that technology alone cannot. And so it's more of that artificial intelligence versus human intelligence, and how can we find a beautiful mix between the two?

It's integrity and humility. I'll say that it's really the core of everything that I do. Of course, doing the right thing, even when it's not the easiest path, and also remaining grounded, regardless of success or recognition. So, the awards, the accolades are wonderful, but I never want to become so high in my mind that I'm removing myself from those I serve. Equally as important is time with my family and my loved ones, and also prioritizing my own well-being. So I've learned that caring for myself is not separate from my work, because that's what sustains it. So when I'm whole, I'm better able to lead, I'm better able to serve and show up fully in every space that I occupy.