Girl Power!

You only need to be around Zoe Resnick for a minute to realize the 2025 Shaker Heights High School graduate has big plans and isn’t one to back down. Whether it’s in the classroom or competing as a fourth-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, her fierce determination remains the same.

Resnick had the opportunity in May to complete her high school senior project within the Levin College of Public Affairs and Education at Cleveland State University (CSU). It was the first step in blazing the path she envisions for herself.

“I took IB (International Baccalaureate) psychology for two years in high school and it drove my interest in the field,’ Resnick said during a recent conversation at CSU’s Glickman-Miller Hall in the Levin College of Public Affairs and Education. “I also had a criminology class at Shaker and it really solidified what I wanted to do.”

Resnick is headed to the University of Cincinnati this fall to major in psychology and minor in criminology with the dream of becoming a forensic psychologist for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Resnick’s father, CSU Physics Professor Dr. Andrew Resnick, connected CSU Chair and Professor in the Department of Criminology and Sociology Dr. Valerie Wright with Zoe for her high school senior project. 

“I learned so much,” Resnick said of the robust experience at CSU. “It really helped give me a behind-the-scenes look at the field. It was so valuable to get that personal insight from Dr. Wright on how faculty thinks and interacts with students.”

CSU plays a vital role as a regional public university committed to creating opportunities for all community members to learn, grow, and lead. Whether students are enrolled full time, visiting from other institutions, or—like Zoe Resnick—still in high school, CSU offers meaningful, hands-on experiences that spark curiosity and support career exploration. At the heart of that experience are CSU’s faculty—mentors, educators, and thought leaders who are actively engaged in their fields and in the community. For Zoe, working alongside Dr. Valerie Wright offered a unique chance to gain real insight into academic life and the field of criminology, reinforcing CSU’s reputation as a place where learning extends beyond the classroom and into real-world impact.

Resnick worked with Dr. Wright on researching videos to correspond with notes for class lessons; attended meetings with the head of security at CSU about upcoming safety initiatives; and learned about textbook equity and what being a faculty member entails. The project concluded with a showcase at Shaker Heights High School where Resnick wrote an essay and talked with parents and teachers about what she accomplished.

“From our very first meeting, Zoe's enthusiasm for criminology was immediately apparent. She approached every task with a remarkable blend of curiosity and critical thinking, consistently revealing insightful trends and offering valuable suggestions. It was clear she had a genuine passion for the field, always eager to share her perspectives and contribute,” Dr. Wright said.

“I particularly admired Zoe's vibrant personality and unwavering diligence. Her excitement to be in the office was infectious, and she was always candid, demonstrating a strong moral compass in every interaction,” Dr. Wright continued. “Beyond simply completing her project, Zoe embraced the opportunity to see ‘behind the scenes’ of our department, gaining a deeper understanding of the effort, negotiation, and strategizing involved in running an academic department. Her summer project at CSU is not just a testament to her dedication, but a truly unique and comprehensive introduction to life on campus.”

Well, there’s no doubt Resnick can handle herself. Never one to back down, she won a silver medal in Tae Kwon Do at the 2023 Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) national tournament. 

“When I was real young, I used to watch the Disney show Kickin’ It,” Resnick said of her Tae Kwon Do inspiration. “There was this character, Kim Crawford, who was this girly-girl cheerleader but could also kick butt on the side!”

Nine years later and Resnick is not only a fourth-degree black belt who competes nationally, she’s the lone female instructor at the Asian Sun Martial Arts Beachwood location where she teaches Tae Kwon Do to all ages.

“I’m very determined and independent,” Resnick said confidently. “I want to set the example that you can be a female and kick butt at the same time!”