Steven Farmer

About

I am proud to be Firs-gen because my success opens the door for countless other first-generation college students to achieve their dreams and realize their potential.

I attribute much of my success in college to the incredible support and guidance I received from my professors. In their honor, I strive to “pay it forward” by helping first-generation students discover and navigate their own paths. I especially enjoy mentoring students as they explore potential career trajectories after graduation, whether that means entering the chemistry industry or pursuing graduate school. 

One of my favorite aspects of teaching is helping students plan and prepare for their future while they’re still in college. By guiding them on how to build skills, gain experiences, and make connections, I aim to make their transition to a post-graduate career as smooth and successful as possible.

Biography

I grew up in Northern California and began my academic journey at Napa Valley Community College, where I spent five years before transferring to UC Davis. I initially pursued psychology but discovered my passion for chemistry thanks to the inspiring faculty at NVCC. This pivotal experience led me to switch majors, and I went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from UC Davis, followed by a Master’s in Chemistry from Sacramento State and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from UC Davis.

My career in academia began with teaching chemistry at both UC Davis and Sacramento State. Afterward, I completed three years of post-doctoral research at UC Davis. Since 2006, I have proudly served as a professor of chemistry at Sonoma State University. 

Working at SSU has been especially rewarding because many of the students are first-generation college students, and I deeply value the opportunity to support and inspire them as they navigate their own educational journeys.

Education

Ph.D. in Chemistry, U.C. Davis