Rate My Professor Katy Hosbein

Professor Katy Hosbein is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry at Middle Tennessee State University. She earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry from Portland State University in 2019, an M.S. in Chemistry from Portland State University in 2016, and a B.S. in Chemistry from Ball State University in 2011. Her academic trajectory includes research experiences during her graduate studies at Portland State University, where she was associated with laboratories focused on chemistry education.

Hosbein's research specializations center on chemistry education research, investigating the influence of STEM learning environments on student STEM identity development using equity-centered methods, with particular attention to first-generation college students. She has presented on these topics in seminars, including “Explorations into science identity development within first-generation college students” at Kennesaw State University in 2024 and “Science identity development as an avenue for belonging in STEM” at MTSU in 2023. At MTSU, she serves as a Faculty Fellow for the Tennessee STEM Education Center, leads Learning Assistant training in the Chemistry Department's ChemSTAR program, and coordinates weekly sessions for the university's Learning Assistant Program through the Office of Student Success. She is also a 2025-2026 Assessment Fellow for the True Blue Core. Career highlights include collaboration on a 2023 six-year $1.97 million NSF S-STEM grant, providing scholarships up to $20,000 annually to chemistry and biochemistry students, along with mentoring and research opportunities. In 2025, she contributed to securing $50,000 for expanding the Learning Assistant Program.