Service Work

Here is a full summary of my service work to date:

Department

Committees Chaired

Founding Chair, Department Marketing & Outreach Committee, (appointed) September 2017 – August 2022.

Redesigned the layout of the department common areas to include a hallway advertising monitor, improved faculty lounge, 50 seat capacity common lounge, department directory with map, and other branding improvements. I prepared several brochures for our programs, participated in the college’s marketing team meetings, organized school visits to our department, and other marketing related work. Attended CLAS Virtual Open House as a department representative (Oct. 2020). In partnership with the Development Office, I formed a department mentoring program to connect undergraduates with mathematics industry alumni; I chair the selection committee for the program. I have also created a video to advertise our programs as part of a virtual Open House sponsored by the College. In December 2021 and January 2022, I promoted a Warrior Funder Campaign to raise money for students in need for our department (to purchase supplies, bookstore gift cards, etc.). The campaign raised $3,308 (goal: $5,000).

Samples of the fliers I created:

Department Research Guide

Undergrad Research Program

Why Study Mathematics

Math Undergrad Brochure

I conducted the following school visits to promote the department and WSU:

  • Accelerated Mathematics (Pre-Calculus), Virtual Presentation, Utica Center for Math, Science, and Technology, March 9, 2021.
  • AP Calculus BC, Virtual Presentation, Utica Center for Math, Science, and Technology, March 1, 2021.
  • Coordinated the visit of Waterford Mott High School AP Statistics class to our department on March 6, 2020.

Founding Chair of the Mathematics Mentoring Program Committee, (appointed) September 2021 – present. With two other members, I worked to set-up the program which included an application, advertisement flyers, selection criteria, orientation materials, certificates, and a news story article each year. This program ran in partnership with the Development Office at Wayne State. Here is the flyer I created: Math Mentorship Program Flyer.

Administrative Appointments

Elementary Statistics (STA 1020) Course Coordinator, (appointed) August 2015 – August 2017, (appointed) May 2021 – present.

  • I was appointed as the first course coordinator for STA 1020. I developed a detailed course outline to bring the course more in line for mathematics competency. I also organized materials for instructor use (exams, lecture materials, worksheets). I was also responsible for writing the comprehensive final exam, including grading guidelines, for all instructors. This appointment ended in August of 2017. In May 2021, I was reappointed to the position with the same responsibilities.

Co-Faculty Advisor for Department Student Organization: WSU Math Society, (appointed) September 2015 – August 2021. I provided guidance and support to the student officers of the organization and attended regular meetings.

Committees Served on

Elected to the Department Personnel Committee (PC) as the first-ever non-tenure teaching faculty advisor to the PC for AY 2023-2024. My role was to advise PC on the promotion packets of teaching faculty who are up for promotion.

Appointed to Dept. Chair’s Planning & Advisory Board, August 2018 – May 2020.

  • This committee was constituted of other committee chairs as a platform to share projects, ideas, etc.

Member of Classroom Observation Corps, (invited) August 2014 – May 2015, September 2016 – present. We conduct formal teaching observations of all GTAs and adjunct faculty.

CEEM Collaboration and Observation Committee, (invited) September 2016 – December 2020. Voluntary committee to provide instructional feedback for members on teaching practices, classroom management, etc.

Elected to Department Salary Committee, AY’s 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022. This committee reviews all faculty CVs and 3-year summaries in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement, assigns scores, and write up the annual Selective Salary Reviews for all faculty.

FYS 1010 Wayne Experience Assessment Committee, (invited) August 2020 – December 2020. Provided input learning outcome assessment to General Education Oversight Committee (GEOC) on the Wayne Experience (WE) Requirement, March 2021.

Department Early Academic Assessment Grade Compliance Officer, (appointed) January 2015 – May 2020. Ensured all faculty submitted their midterm grades by deadline with 100% participation each term.

Academic Program Review (APR) Committee, (invited) January 2019. Conducted a dept. tour for evaluators.

College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (CLAS)

  • C.L.A.S. Representative on the Academic Senate (member of Curriculum & Instruction Subcommittee) fall 2017-present (2nd term).
  • Appointed to the C.L.A.S. Dean Search Advisory Committee (2017-2018 academic year).
  • C.L.A.S. Recruitment Committee (May 2021 – present).

College of Education

  • Worked with Mathematics Education Faculty on revising MAT 1110 & 1120 courses to be in line with new State standards on teacher preparation.
  • Provided input on elementary education courses and their alignment with my department’s MAT 1110 and 1120 courses.

University

WSU Academy of Teachers (inducted as lifetime member, May 2020).

  • Vice Chair, Wayne State University Academy of Teachers (AoT), (elected) August 2022 – August 2023. Facilitate meetings in absence of Chair, provide mentoring to the Chair, and other duties as assigned.
  • Chair, Wayne State University Academy of Teachers (AoT), (elected) August 2021 – August 2022. Facilitate meetings, introduce a new organizational structure with workgroups, advance overall teaching mission of WSU.
  • Chair, Social Media, Marketing & Outreach Workgroup of the Academy of Teachers, (elected) October 2021 – August 2023.
  • WSU Academy of Teachers New Member Selection Committee, (appointed) March/April 2021.

Academic Senate C.L.A.S. Representative (elected, 3-year terms), August 2017 – present.

  • Appointed to Curriculum & Instruction Committee, September 2017 – present.

Senate Work appointed or otherwise completed.

  • Chair, ad hoc Subcommittee on Artificial Intelligence (AI) Cheating, Academic Senate, (invited/appointed) February 2023 – April 2023. The subcommittee considered various potential responses to the likely continued growth of AI software that can respond to assignments and exams and is easily available to students, such as: Development of an Academic Integrity module revision to include this topic specifically; Drafting of a statement for syllabi that can be shared with faculty to use if they desire; Drafting of a brief statement for plenary vote on student use, unless suggested by instructor as part of the instructor’s plans for the course; Possible Student Code of Conduct revision to include; Possible orientation module on this and related academic integrity issues and/or other ideas. Sponsored by the Provost’s Office, I enrolled in and completed a monthlong (October 2023) course in AI Teaching offered by Course Hero. The course provided details about AI tools, assignment creation, academic integrity, and AI, and communicating to students about expectations and guidelines around AI. I published a 40-page report to various university stakeholders.
  • Ad hoc Academic Senate & Provost Fall Break Committee, (invited/appointed) December 2021 – April 2022. The charge to the committee is to explore the possibility of adding a Fall Break to the schedule and, if possible and desirable, to recommend how best to do it to avoid causing any unanticipated problems.
  • Academic Senate Subcommittee on Revision of the Academic Misconduct Provisions to the Student Code of Conduct, (invited/appointed) January 2021 – September 2021. Appointed as a rep. of the Curriculum & Instruction Committee of the Senate, I worked to offer revisions to the code of conduct to allow for a faculty voice in the overall process. I drafted the initial final report for the subcommittee. As a follow-up, in March 2022, I prepared a Canvas module that dealt with addressing academic integrity at the instructor level. This module is prepared for dissemination across the university.
  • Personally responsible for bringing to the attention of the WSU Academic Senate Policy Committee the academic integrity issues related to Bartleby.com. Conducted a thorough investigation into the services provided by this site and presented to the Policy Committee, who then advised the university to sever its ties with the site.

Promotion evaluator for Teaching Faculty in the following units (invited):

  • Department of Art & Art History, August 2023
  • Department of Finance, September 2023

Honors College Review Committee, (invited/appointed) September 2022 – April 2023. I was appointed by the Academic Senate’s Policy Committee to serve as the Senate’s representative on the committee to review the Honors College. Within the committee, I served on the Faculty/Staff subcommittee, reviewing and drafting questions for the survey and focus group for this demographic. I facilitated the focus group for Honors College faculty.

WSU Career Advisory Council, (invited) August 2022 – present. The mission of the Career Advisory Council is to provide insight, advice and counsel on co-curricular learning activities, employment trends, economic forces, institutional partnerships/collaborations, and cultural shifts that impact student career education and opportunities. My knowledge, expertise and understanding of the importance that career engagement and education and how they play a role in student social mobility helped to advance the mission.

Integrated Learning Environment Advisory Council, (invited) May 2021 – present.

  • This committee is a merger of the Classroom Improvement CORE Group and Technology Committee. This council is a cross-college and cross-departmental group consisting of faculty from each school and college and administrators in areas that are involved with learning environments on campus. The focus is on collaboration and communication about the Digital and Physical Classrooms.

Fellow Coach for the 2023 Mandela Washington Fellowship Program for young African leaders, Summer 2023. As a Coach, I worked with Fellow Merapelo Lechaena on her service project of establishing a series of rural libraries in her native Botswana. I met with her 3 times to talk about this focus project. We developed a working plan which she was able to take back with her as a starting point to approach stakeholders who could offer resources for implementation.

Fellow Coach for the 2022 Mandela Washington Fellowship Program for young African leaders, Summer 2022. As a Coach, I worked with Fellow Daniel Worku on his service project of establishing a career development center in his home country of Ethiopia. I met with him weekly (over 6 weeks) to talk about this focus project, connected him with professionals related to his goal, and discussed any topic relating to professional and personal development.

Participant in the Overnight Orientation & Faculty Dinner as a faculty member (invited). This was part of New Student Orientation. I had dinner with 10 prospective students and their families to discuss matters related to academics, life at WSU, housing applications, and more. This was held on May 13, 2022, and June 3, 2022.

Classroom Improvement CORE Group Committee, (invited) March 2019 – May 2021.

  • Appointed by Academic Senate’s Policy Committee. This group meets to discuss best practices and support mechanisms for faculty and students who use classrooms.

State Hall Design and Renovation Advisory Committee, (appointed) November 2020 – September 2023.

  • As a faculty representative, I provided input in the design considerations for classrooms and space in the renovation project for State Hall. I was appointed by the Academic Senate’s Policy Committee.

Campus Restart Subcommittee: Human Resources, (invited/appointed) May 2020 – May 2021. Appointed by the Academic Senate’s Policy Committee

  • Served on two work groups:
    • Served on Policies, Procedures, & Regulatory Requirements: Revised university policies considering the COVID-19 Pandemic.
    • Student & Temporary Employment: Co-produced a handbook on Student Internships for implementation across the university. Here is the draft we produced: WSU Intern report – final draft
    • The Policies, Procedures, & Regulatory Requirements Workgroup was charged with revising, creating, and updating policies to reflect the new remote work environment due to the pandemic. The Student & Temporary Employment Workgroup was charged with creating a handbook for a student internship program. The aim is that this program can support our students at WSU by placing them into internship positions in and around the campus community, thereby building needed skills for students, and also supporting their development as professionals.

Inclusive Access Pilot Committee, June 2020 – August 2021.

  • Appointed by the Academic Senate’s Policy Committee: Worked to develop metrics to measure effectiveness of pilot, provide guidance on future implementation, and other related matters. First Day Access, as it is usually called, is an initiative where courseware are made available to students on the first day of classes. This eliminates the dependency on financial aid to clear, often 1-2 weeks after the term begins, thereby delaying access. This program places the cost of courseware, below the market value, on a student’s tuition bill, making the payment more streamlined. The Committee is examining all facets of this program with implementation in a wide variety of courses, publishers, and levels for the fall 2020 and winter 2021 terms.

Math Liaison, Student Success Collaborative Team Leads Group – COVID-19 response, (invited) October 2020 – September 2021.

  • I was asked to offer a faculty perspective regarding the student success initiatives that were rolled out to best support student success during the remote learning environment. Part of my input led to the first even Mental Health Day at Wayne State University.

Member, Subcommittee of Institutional Commitment and Learning, (invited) September 2020 – present.

  • Part of the Excellence in Academic Advising (EAA) in an Urban Ecosystem Committee. This committee collects evidence to assess against specific outcomes related to academic advising at Wayne State; part of the Gardiner Institute Project and is a 3-year project. Served as facilitator for a synthesis discussion session about organization during the EAA Retreat held on July 22, 2022.

Member, Student Success Continuity and Learn Anywhere, Success Connector, (invited) September 2020 – December 2021.

  • In this role I worked with various student care teams across campus to help provide a connection between students who need various services or assistance. As a member of this initiative, I also offer a faculty perspective not otherwise known by support staff.

Selected as a Provost’s Fellow, May 2015 – May 2016.

  • This group of 6 faculty met to help improve the university’s graduate and retention rates. I also served as a member of Planning Committee for Provost’s Summit on Student Success that took place in March 2016.

AAUP-AFT Local 6075 (Union)

  • Vice Chair of the Lecturer Steering Committee (May 2018-May 2020)
  • Chair, Outreach Subcommittee (November 2019-May 2020)

Other related work

AAUP-AFT Local 6075 – Labor Union

  • Vice Chair, Lecturer Steering Committee, (elected) May 2018 – May 2020. The Lecturer Steering Committee is the lecturer’s Union organizing body responsible for planning events for the university’s lecturers. I was instrumental in preparing data and presenting to the Student Senate during our March 2020 public campaign to raise awareness to the issues and challenges for contingent faculty.
  • Chair, Outreach Subcommittee, Lecturer Steering Committee, (elected) November 2019 – May 2020. Grown out of a need to better organize the lecturers across the university, I proposed a structure of working committees to help work on projects. This particular committee, which I chaired, was responsible for preparing correspondence and other outreach efforts to the community, administrators, faculty, and others.

Phi Beta Kappa (PBK), Gamma Chapter, Wayne State University

  • PBK is the Nation’s oldest academic honors organization. It honors the top 1% of all graduating seniors and even more impressive is that only a handful of universities have a PBK Chapter. I serve in several roles in the Chapter which is most active from March-May when transcripts are reviewed, members selected, and a formal induction ceremony takes place.
    • President, Phi Beta Kappa Gamma Chapter (WSU) of Michigan, May 2021 – May 2022
    • President-elect, Phi Beta Kappa Gamma Chapter (WSU) of Michigan, May 2022 – May 2023.
    • Member of the university’s Phi Beta Kappa new member selection committee, September 2009 – present.
    • Secretary-Treasurer, Phi Beta Kappa Gamma Chapter (WSU) of Michigan, September 2009 – May 2021.
    • Secretary, Phi Beta Kappa Gamma Chapter (WSU) of Michigan, September 2009 – May 2015.

COVID-19 Related Work

  • In collaboration with Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) Director Jeff Kuentzel, produced two brochures on recognizing mental distress for dissemination to university community (sent via Provost on 2/15/21).
  • At the beginning of the winter 2021 term, and as part of the Academy of Teachers, I provided input on a letter to faculty and a letter to students, both about how to cope during this online learning environment and tips for success.
  • At the invitation of Sr. Assoc. Provost Monica Brockmeyer, I attended two October (2020) meetings of the Student Success Collaborative Team Leads meeting to discuss student disengagement during the remote learning environment from a faculty This discussion was the catalyst for WSU declaring its first-ever Mental Health Day. Following my contributions, I was asked to remain on this committee as the Mathematics Liaison.
  • I worked with the University Registrar to provide faculty perspective/input on the final exam schedule for the online/remote learning environment for fall 2020 term.

Input on Curriculum

  • In August 2022, I provided input on a new Course Trajectory Analysis dashboard under consideration by the Office of Institutional Research & Analysis. Specifically, I offered data points that would be useful in tracking students across courses.
  • In May 2022, I created a Math Review Video for our elementary statistics course to replace the integrated review materials. These materials cover basic math topics that students need to complete statistics-related computations. My colleague, Matthew Buckman and I worked on creating Canvas assignments to complement the video.
  • In March 2022, I drafted a lesson to address the academic misconduct concerns stemming from the online/remote learning environment, but also the sophisticated nature of academic integrity. This lesson will be offered as part of the Wayne Experience (WE) General Education requirement across the university.
  • In October 2021, I was appointed to a committee to revise the elementary statistics (STA 1020) course. We discussed removing topics and revised the pacing to reflect more common trends in statistics.
  • For the fall 2020 term, I was a co-presenter for the Wayne Experience (WE) Assessment PD for First Year Seminar (FYS 1010) instructors. I developed a guide for submitting grades and provided guidance on using the WE rubric for all instructors.
  • I served on the Elementary Statistics and Algebra with Trigonometry Final Exam Consultant Committees. We were charged with writing the final exam, partial credit guidelines and solutions.
  • As part of the University’s new General Education Curriculum, I ensured that all instructors for the courses were trained in assessment for the Quantitative Experience (QE). This included setting up a training session and advising instructors on assignment choices for evaluation against an institution provided rubric. This occurred during the fall 2019 and winter 2020 terms.
  • I worked with Mathematics Education Faculty in fall 2019 on revising the Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers I & II courses to be in line with new State standards on teacher preparation. These revisions are ongoing as the State releases new standards.
  • I have provided materials for several courses for use by all instructors on the Department OneDrive. This includes a comprehensive final exam homework packet, revised lecture materials, worksheets, and supplemental materials.
  • I have evaluated course syllabi from other institutions to assess transferability of courses to our department.

 Mentoring/Training

  • I served as a mentor to two applicants for the General Education Teaching Award (December 2021 – January 2022). As a previous awardee, I provided feedback on their application packets for the award.
  • I have served as a Teaching Mentor for new GTA’s since the fall of 2014. I helped them with assessment development, classroom management, and best instructional practices.
  • In the winter 2020 term, on my own initiative, I led an informal weekly meeting of GTAs teaching Elementary Statistics to review curriculum, best practices, assessment writing, and classroom management. These GTAs were teaching the course for the first time, and for several, it was their first-ever teaching assignment.
  • I conducted training for the department’s tutors in the Mathematics Resource Center for the Elementary Statistics course, August 2018.
  • I served as a Professional Mentor with the College to Career Program which is part of the Center for Latino/a and Latin American Studies, Wayne State University, October 2013 – August 20 I met with my mentee monthly and we discussed resume building, interview strategies, nuances of job searches, and all things related to teaching in higher education; my mentee’s goal was to become a lecturer.

Community Engagement

  • Judge for the 59th Annual Junior Science & Humanities Symposium (JSHS) held on February 24th, 2023, at Wayne State University. I judged the mathematics and computer science submissions from local area high school students, as well as consulted on the overall winters of the symposium.
  • President (founding) Pastoral Council, St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish, July 2013 – July 2020.
  • Vice President, Parish Finance Council, St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish, July 2013 – August 2018.
  • Chair, 5th Anniversary Committee, St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish, April 2019-July 2019.
  • Project leader on Merger Handbook. This is a guidebook for Parish Mergers (part of the Archdiocese’s restructuring efforts) that was presented to the Archbishop personally in October 2016.
  • Eucharistic Minister
  • Prior to July 2013, I was active at Sacred Heart Parish (a parish that was part of the merger that became St. Pio Parish). I served in many roles at Sacred Heart including the Parish Council, the Vicariate Council, and on the Together in Faith initiative (Merger process).

Other Curricular Work

Wayne State revised its general education curriculum and rolled out the changes in the fall of 2018. In the year prior, I was elected to the Academic Senate and was assigned to the Curriculum & Instruction Committee. Our work began immediately on providing feedback on the proposed reforms. As the sole representative on the Senate from the Department of Mathematics, much of the insight on the Quantitative Experience (QE) requirement, which included courses my department offers among other departments, fell on me. Since the implementation of the new requirements, I have worked as a liaison between the Senate and my department, communicating updates and challenges. I have also, as time permitted me to, attended informational sessions on the QE courses and assessment workshops.

One last change to the QE courses involves our Algebra with Trigonometry course and I was invited to work on the course revisions as part of the Gateways to Completion (G2C) Committee. Our work has been temporarily suspended as finer details are worked out regarding the course.

In order to improve my teaching, I have worked as part of the Center for Excellence & Equity in Mathematics (CEEM) Collaboration and Observation Committee. Each member is assigned to another member’s class to observe their teaching and to have a follow-up meeting to discuss feedback and observations. I have had the privilege of serving in both roles as the observer and as the one being observed. The feedback provided is informal, but is invaluable in improving as teachers and helping each other grow.

I followed in the path Professor Bob Bruner and Senior Lecturer Chris Nazelli with their revisions to the Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers I & II courses. Their work was supported by the Wider-SSTEP Grant. The course changes reduced the breadth of topics covered, but increased the depth of what was covered. It also introduced the implementation of collaborative work that had students work on challenging problems and then write up solutions in a formal journal, explaining all details and concepts related to its solving. These changes have helped students appreciate their own understanding of key topics taught in the elementary curriculum.