UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Alaina G. Levine, president of Quantum Success Solutions LLC, professional speaker, STEM career coach, and author, will give the fall 2024 A. Dixon and Betty F. Johnson Lecture in Scientific Communication at 7 p.m. on Nov. 21 in 100 Thomas Building on the Penn State University Park campus. The free public lecture is open to the Penn State community.
Levine is the author of “Networking for Nerds” and the forthcoming “Create Your Unicorn Career!” In her lecture, “Create Your Unicorn Career in Science Communication,” Levine will discuss how people can leverage their skills and experience in science communication to build an authentic and creative career that brings them joy, meaning, and money.
As a professional speaker, Levine has delivered thousands of speeches for clients in 15 nations and 35 states across five continents, and her 500-plus articles — including her column, “Your Unicorn Career” — have appeared in the publications Science, Nature, Scientific American, National Geographic News Watch, World Economic Forum and Smithsonian.
As a career coach, Levine has helped hundreds of clients create their own “unicorn career,” which she has described as “the customized and authentic career that brings you joy, meaning, and money.”
Levine studied at the American University (UA) in Cairo as a U.S. Department of Defense Boren Fellow and holds bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and anthropology from the University of Arizona. As an undergrad at UA, she competed in national billiards tournaments under her nickname, "Lady Dyn-o-mite."
For a sneak peek, check out Levine’s Johnson Lecture teaser trailer.
Additional opportunities
Levine will also participate in a breakfast and a lunch-and-learn session, and she will lead a workshop for the Penn State community. Attendance at the breakfast is capped at 70 participants. Registration — first come, first served — is required for the lunch-and-learn session and the workshop.
Breakfast with Women in Science and Engineering
9:30 a.m., Nov. 21, Verne M. Willaman Gateway to the Sciences
In this informal “ask me anything” session, join Alaina G. Levine (she/her) — professional speaker, STEM career coach and expert, and author — for a conversation about women and nonbinary people in STEM. Levine, whose education is in mathematics, anthropology, and Middle Eastern studies, will share stories from her life and career as a woman in STEM, and how she has built her joyous, meaningful unicorn career at the nexus of all she finds interesting — and how others can, too. Participants are asked to submit their questions in advance so Levine can address them anonymously. There will also be cards available for participants to submit questions at the event. Topics will include money, negotiation, combatting impostor syndrome, and growing a unicorn career in STEM by honoring one’s self. RSVP for the breakfast with women in science and engineering.
Lunch and Learn: “Science Communications Careers”
Noon, Nov. 21, Verne M. Willaman Gateway to the Sciences
In this informal “fireside chat,” Levine will give strategies and tactics for building a unicorn career in science communications. Drawing on an almost 30-year career in science communications as a writer, speaker, coach, consultant, event planner and corporate comedian, Levine will lead a conversation about all aspects of launching and being triumphant in science-communications professions. RSVP for the lunch-and-learn session, “Science Communications Careers.”
Workshop, “Speak to Spark: Public Speaking Master Class to Grow Confidence, Influence, and Advocacy”
2:30 p.m., Nov. 21, Verne M. Willaman Gateway to the Sciences
Public speaking is one of the most utilized skills, and also one of the most feared. But if we are to build relationships that advance science and society, understand and serve our community, and help our team grow and champion our expertise and knowledge, we need to improve our public speaking abilities. But — spoiler alert — it’s not as hard as it may be perceived! In this session, participants will learn the essence of what makes a great speech, develop techniques to improve clarity of messaging, gain an understanding of a simple formula to shift every presentation into a powerful presentation, and discover how to reduce speaking anxiety, connect with the audience, and leverage speaking as a means of creating more-inclusive cultures within science communications and STEM. RSVP for the “Speak to Spark” workshop.
About the Johnson Lectureship
The A. Dixon and Betty F. Johnson Lectureship in Scientific Communication supports an annual lecture in scientific communication in the Eberly College of Science. The lecture was established in 2005 in memory of A. Dixon Johnson, a former University director of public information. Johnson worked as a Penn State science writer and public information director for many years.