Kaela Villafania first became interested in physics because of the problem solving and creative thinking required.

“It fascinates me how everyday phenomenon we all take for granted, such as how loop-the-loops on roller coasters work or how eye glasses help you see—can be explained through physics,” she said.

While she was accepted into several four-year universities, Villafania chose College of DuPage because of the cost savings and the ability to stay at her full-time job. She also received the STEM Student Success Scholarship, which paid for her tuition, allowed her to focus on her academics and opened doors to new opportunities.

I was astounded throughout the two years by the quality of my classes, especially STEM courses, which allowed me to be as successful and prepared as I am today.

Kaela Villafania

At least twice a semester, Villafania met one-on-one with STEM Student Success Coach Susan Fenwick to talk about course load, her school-life balance and any challenges she faced as well as solutions. She also attended mandatory professional development meetings where guest speakers discussed next steps regarding academics and careers. This gave her time to network.

“I remember one meeting featured a talk from a scientist at Fermilab, and they also promoted a summer internship opportunity specific for community college students,” she said. “After the talk, I had the opportunity to personally connect with one of the people reviewing applications. I remember feeling very grateful to put ‘a face to the name’ and knew I wouldn’t have made the connection otherwise.

“It was also because of Susan and having this scholarship that I received a similar scholarship at Northern Illinois University—the Belong in STEM scholarship—when I transferred to major in physics.”

Villafania also received a position in NIU’s Research Rookies program, through which she worked with a faculty mentor on her research during her first year, and became co-vice president of the Society of Physics Students. Before graduating with a Bachelor of Science, with a minor in applied mathematics, she was accepted into a student diversity traineeship at Argonne National Laboratory to work with the Accelerator Development Group. She is still at Argonne, working as a post-baccalaureate appointee.

During the summer of 2022, she applied for the Chicagoland Accelerator Science Traineeship (CAST) at NIU and was accepted into both NIU’s master’s program and CAST program. Villafania was the social chair for the Physics Graduate Student Association and became the graduate advisor for the Society of Physics Students, was awarded the Outstanding Master’s Student Award, and defended her master’s thesis, “Cold Testing of a Prototype Superconducting Radio-Frequency Electron Gun and Ancillary Systems for the LCLS-II-HE Project.” 

Villafania is now working on her Ph.D. in physics at Michigan State University. She is continuing her work with superconducting radio-frequency (SRF) technology for particle accelerators, now at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams in the SRF and Superconducting Magnets group. She is in the Accelerator Science and Engineering Traineeship (ASET), which is similar to the CAST program at NIU.

“Being at Michigan State is the first time that I moved out of state, and it feels like I’m taking a huge leap out of my comfort zone to follow my dreams. But I am grateful for the opportunities that I’ve had to show me how resilient and driven I am capable of being, which started at College of DuPage.”

In 2024, the COD Alumni Engagement office honored Villafania with the 5 Under 5 Award, presented to alumni who have made significant contributions to their communities, professions or fields of study within five years of leaving the College. She advises students in STEM to seek out the many resources COD offers.

“COD provided not only rigorous STEM courses that laid the foundation for my higher-level physics and math courses, but also gave me resources to build the skill sets needed for my career in STEM,” she said. “Be an advocate for yourself and find your academic support system in STEM peers and professors as soon as possible. Don’t be afraid to apply for opportunities. I was originally told I didn’t receive any scholarships at COD the spring before I attended. I also applied to community college-specific programs and was denied. It is their job to tell you no, and it is your job to apply even if you don’t think you’re qualified enough. Also, don’t be afraid to seek help. I spent most of my free time after classes in the Tutoring and Academic Support Center receiving help for both my physics and math courses. I am still learning to truly be comfortable with having to ask questions as soon as I need help, but it is a lesson I wish I began learning sooner.

“Looking back, I have nothing but positive things to say about College of DuPage. I was astounded throughout the two years by the quality of my classes, especially STEM courses, which allowed me to be as successful and prepared as I am today. I remember in my Physics 1 course we even had the same final as UIUC (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) to demonstrate that it was as rigorous as surrounding universities. If I could do it all over and attend COD again, I would do it in a heartbeat.”

Learn more about the Physics program at College of DuPage