When a Physics Program Disappears: Kisten’s Story
Kisten Speldrick, middle row second from left, poses with her fellow VSU SPS members
The decline of physics education has ripple effects across medicine, engineering, technology, and even finance. -Kisten Speldrick, Valdosta State University SPS member
Kisten Speldrick has always been curious about how the world works. That quiet curiosity — paired with a deep love of science — led her to study both physics and astronomy at Valdosta State University (VSU), one of the only affordable public universities in Georgia with an astronomy program.
It was also home to something else that mattered deeply to her: a strong chapter of the Society of Physics Students (SPS). From the start, SPS gave Kisten belonging, connection, and confidence. It encouraged her to present research, take on leadership roles, and imagine a future in science.
Then, everything changed. Without warning, VSU announced it would eliminate its physics and astronomy programs. Students were given just two years to complete their degrees. Classes were cut. Stress spiked. Some students transferred. Others switched majors.
Kisten stayed — determined to graduate, no matter the cost. Her dream was to work in an observatory doing hands-on observational research and eventually continue her education. But that dream was suddenly at risk.
In the upheaval, SPS became more than just a student organization. It became a lifeline.
At VSU, the SPS chapter gave students more than a place to meet — it gave them purpose. When the program cuts were announced, the chapter helped classmates navigate transfer options, coordinated with faculty, and raised awareness beyond campus. For Kisten, SPS was the community she could rely on in a moment of crisis.
Kisten is a reminder of the profound impact student communities can have, especially when institutions make decisions that disrupt academic pathways. When physics programs are cut, it doesn’t just limit course offerings. It narrows career paths and weakens the scientific community as a whole.
Physics is an essential subject. As Kisten points out, the decline of physics education has ripple effects across medicine, engineering, technology, and even finance. Her resilience, and the support she found through SPS, underscores the importance of keeping pathways into science open. Students like Kisten remind us that curiosity, determination, and community are what keep the future of science alive.
