Toni Sauncy

Biography

EDUCATION

Ph.D. in Applied Physics, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas

M.S. in Physics, Texas Tech University

B.S. in Mathematics (magna cum laude), Texas Tech University

RESEARCH & OUTREACH

Dr. Toni Sauncy served as the Director of the Society of Physics Students (SPS) and Sigma Pi Sigma from 2012-2014 at the American Institute of Physics (AIP). While at AIP, Sauncy took on the challenge of leading the NSF-Funded Career Pathways project that has resulted in important new resources for undergraduate physics departments and physics students. She was previously the elected president of SPS, serving from 2009-2012. She was a professor in the Department of Physics at Angelo State University from 2000-2014, one of the schools featured as an "undergraduate program that works" in the SPIN-UP study. Sauncy has a history of proven leadership as demonstrated by her service on numerous collegiate and professional association committees, including those of APS, AAPT and SPS. Sauncy is a long-time friend of Sigma Pi Sigma and SPS, beginning first as a student, later as a chapter advisor and Zone Councilor for Zone 13 from 2005-2009.

In addition to her academic pursuits, she has a strong history of engaging the undergraduate physics community in physics outreach and scientific citizenship. Sauncy has a record of successfully funded research & research training projects in solid state materials physics. She is well known for her dedication to undergraduate students in and out of the classroom and has mentored more than 50 student research projects, which have resulted in numerous presentations at regional, national, and international professional physics meetings and conferences.

RECOGNITIONS & AWARDS

Outstanding Service Commendation – Society of Physics Students National Council, American Center for Physics, College Park, Maryland, September 2014.

Angelo State University President's Faculty Excellence in Leadership & Service Award, 2010.

Outstanding Chapter Advisor Award, Society of Physics Students, 2007.

PUBLICATIONS

“Building Career Development into the Undergraduate Physics Curriculum,” Texas State University colloquium, San Marcos, Texas. September 2015.

“What can I do with my Physics Bachelor’s Degree?” Council on Undergraduate Research-Physics and Astronomy Division, Distributed Research Experience for Undergraduates Program Summer - Webinar Series. June 2015.

“Building Career Development into the Undergraduate Physics Program: Tools for Success”, Physics Department Chairs Conference, sponsored by the American Physical Society and the American Association of Physics Teachers, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland. June 2015.

“The AIP Career Pathways Project.” 5^th International Conference on Women in Physics, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada. August 2014.

“How to Navigate Your Very Own Career Pathway.” Careers in Physics Workshop, sponsored by UT Women in Physics, The University of Texas, Austin, Texas. March 2015.

“What to Do With the Other 40%: Building Career Preparation in the Undergraduate Experience.” Building Thriving Undergraduate Physics Programs National Conference, sponsored by the American Association of Physics Teachers and the American Physical Society, Seattle, Washington. February 2015.

“Career Opportunities for Physics Majors: Building Career Preparation into the Undergraduate Physics Experience.” PhysTEC 2015 National Conference – Workshop for PhysTEC leaders, sponsored by the American Association of Physics Teachers and the American Physical Society, Seattle, Washington. February 2015.

“The AIP Career Pathways Project,”American Association of Physics Teachers Joint Task Force on Undergraduate Physics Programs – Webinar. February 2015.

“What Can I Do With My Physics Degree.” South Central Regional Conference on Undergraduate Women in Physics, University of Texas at Brownsville, Brownsville, Texas. January 2015.

“Career Pathways for Physics Undergraduates.” Workshop for Faculty Mentors, American Association of Physics Teachers 2014 Summer National Meeting, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota. July 2014.

“Putting Your Physics Degree to Work.” Workshop for students, Fall 2014 Joint Meeting of the Texas Section of the APS, Texas Section of the AAPT, and Zone 13 of the Society of Physics Students, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas. October 2014.

“Get to Work! – The Careers Toolbox for Physics Students.” Workshop, 2014 Joint Spring Meeting of the Texas Sections of the American Physical Society, the American Association of Physics Teachers, and Zone 13 of the Society of Physics Students, Abilene Christian University, Abilene, Texas. April 2014.

PUBLISHED BOOKS & CHAPTERS

Equipping Physics Majors for the STEM Workforce, with Roman Czujko, Kendra Redmond, and Thomas Olsen, American Institute of Physics, 2014. Available in hardcopy and online at https://www.spsnational.org/sites/default/files/files/career-resources/equipmajorsforstem.pdf

The Careers Toolbox for Undergraduate Physics Students, with Kendra Redmond, American Institute of Physics, 2013; second printing December 2014. Available in hardcopy and online at https://www.spsnational.org/sites/default/files/files/careerstoolbox/data/careerstoolbox.pdf