Rate My Professor Jennifer Hsieh

Jennifer Hsieh, Ph.D., serves as the Department Chair of the Physical Sciences Department and Professor of Chemistry at Santa Monica College. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from California State University, Fullerton, followed by a Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy from the University of California, Los Angeles, where she completed her Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in 2010. In her leadership role, Dr. Hsieh oversees programs in chemistry, physics, and engineering, promoting student success in STEM disciplines.

Dr. Hsieh has shown outstanding dedication to student engagement and faculty development. As faculty advisor to the Santa Monica College Chemistry Club, alongside Travis Pecorelli, she led the club to the American Chemical Society's "Outstanding" Student Chapter Award in 2019, the highest honor for student chapters; this marked the second consecutive year that SMC was the only California community college to receive it. ACS President Peter K. Dorhout commended the advisors for setting a fine example. She served as an NSF Participant in Physical Sciences for SMC's nearly $2.5 million grant from the NSF Hispanic-Serving Institution Program, "Fostering an Equity-Minded Student Success Culture in STEM Through Faculty Development," which supports underrepresented students via professional development and innovative STEM practices.

Dr. Hsieh has contributed significantly to outreach and infrastructure. She co-organized STEM events, including the 2nd Annual SMC STEM Festival in 2019 and a STEM Family Festival in 2017-2018, engaging schoolchildren in hands-on science. At the November 2025 open house for the new Mathematics + Science Building, she spoke for the science departments, praising the new labs and spaces that foster cross-disciplinary collaboration and innovative pedagogy. She has collaborated on a new Career Technical Education program for chemistry lab technician training. As a UCLA alumna, she guest lectured in UCLA's Chem 147 Careers in Chemistry & Biochemistry seminar in Spring 2017.