Interview with Judy Halstead

Dublin Core

Title

Interview with Judy Halstead

Date

October 17, 2025

Is Part Of

Skidmore Saratoga Memory Project

Description

After receiving her PhD in physical chemistry from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), Judy Halstead taught at Russell Sage and Williams Colleges before joining Skidmore’s Chemistry Department in 1986. In addition to teaching general and analytical chemistry within her department, Halstead was an active participant in interdisciplinary programs. In this interview she recalls her pivotal work for two major College initiatives: the development of Environmental Studies and the Summer Collaborative Research Program. Both of these undertakings have had a lasting effect at the College and on our students, as attested to by the alumni symposium held in her honor upon her retirement in 2020. Halstead also reflects on some of the obstacles faced by women in the STEM disciplines.