Angela Willson-Conrad

110 Candlewyck Drive, Apt. 814 Kalamazoo, MI 49001 u (269) 271-1321

angela.m.willson@wmich.edu u www.angelawillsonconrad.com

EDUCATION
Ph.D. Science Education
Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Committee: Megan Grunert Kowalske (Chair), Andrea Beach, Charles Henderson
Expected Completion: June 2019

M.S. Chemistry
Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Chair: Megan Grunert Kowalske
Title: Understanding college students’ exam process in a general chemistry course
Degree Completed: June 2016

B.S. Chemistry, Minors: Mathematics and Spanish

Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana
Study Abroad: Seville, Spain
Degree Completed: May 2012

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Broncos FIRST Doctoral Research Associate July 2016 – Present
Center for Research on Instructional Change in Postsecondary Education
Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan
♦ Supported this U.S. Department of Education, First in the World grant-funded
first to second year retention program for students.
♦ My research focuses include: group dynamics of our professional learning
communities and their impact on campus wide student success efforts and on
the development of our community mentor program over the grant cycle.
♦ Assisted in re-writing our pre- and post- student surveys based on the literature.
♦ Collected and analyzed qualitative data from both mentoring experiences.
♦ Supported colleagues through group feedback process.

Success at WMU Doctoral Research Associate June 2018 – Present

Center for Research on Instructional Change in Postsecondary Education
Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan
♦ Supported mixed-methods research for this campus-wide peer mentor initiative.
♦ Developed qualitative plan and interview protocol in a collaborative group.
♦ Assisted with qualitative interviews of first-year students and peer-mentors and
helped with data analysis.
♦ Created quantitative database for Gateways to Completion academic initiative,
analyzed data, and created an internal report.
 Angela Willson-Conrad w 2

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE (Continued)

Research Experience for Undergraduate Students Summer 2011
University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana
♦ Worked in a university-based nanotechnology laboratory to enhance Raman
spectroscopy with gold and silver nanoparticles.
♦ Presented on my work multiple times at the university and at conferences.

TEACHING AND LEARNING EXPERIENCE

Broncos FIRST Community Mentor Coordinator July 2016-April 2018
Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Center for Research on Instructional Change in Postsecondary Education
♦ Created curriculum for and facilitated mentor orientation sessions
♦ Organized the logistics of on-campus sessions
♦ Planned and facilitated curriculum for the sessions with the mentors and Broncos
FIRST students.

Instructor of Record September 2014-July 2016

Mallinson Institute for Science Education
Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan
♦ Designed active-learning curriculum that were designed to encourage students to
construct chemistry knowledge in a group setting.
♦ Edited the Course Pack that was used as the primary textbook in the course.
♦ Facilitated in-class laboratory activities with a focus on student safety.

Teaching Assistant - Introductory Chemistry Course for Nurses Spring 2012

Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana
♦ Facilitated weekly laboratories as a support to the instructor.
♦ Answered questions for students about the material.

Teaching Assistant for Organic Chemistry Laboratory August 2011-May 2012

Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana
♦ Organized curriculum for pre-laboratory lectures.
♦ Taught guided-inquiry laboratories where students were asked to identify organic
compounds through spectroscopy and wet chemistry procedures.

Teaching Assistant for Nursing Chemistry Laboratory January 2010-May 2010

Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana
♦ Facilitated weekly laboratories as a support to the instructor.
♦ Answered questions for students about the material.
♦ Prepared chemicals and materials for laboratory activities.
 Angela Willson-Conrad w 3

TEACHING AND LEARNING (Continued)

Chemistry Tutor for High School Students August 2010-May 2011
Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana
♦ Tutored 4 high school students who were taking general chemistry.
♦ Supported one student in his pre-calculus course.
♦ Participated in Parent-Teacher conferences as student advocate.
♦ Developed extra study questions for students to better prepare them for exams.

Teaching Assistant for General Chemistry Laboratory August 2009-May 2010

Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana
♦ Assisted weekly laboratory sessions, which included answering students’
questions about procedure and content.

PUBLICATIONS
Willson-Conrad, A., & Grunert Kowalske, M. (2018). Using self-efficacy beliefs to
understand how students in a general chemistry course approach the exam
process. Chemistry Education Research and Practice

PRESENTATIONS
Willson-Conrad, A., & Grunert Kowalske, M. (2016). Understanding college students'
exam process in a general chemistry course. Presented at the American Chemical
Society National Meeting, Philadelphia, PA.

Willson-Conrad, A., & Grunert Kowalske, M. (2017). Using self-efficacy beliefs to

understand how students in a general chemistry course approach the exam
process. Presented at Western Michigan University’s Department of Chemistry
Anniversary Celebration.

Willson, A. (2011). Using gold and silver nanoparticles to enhance Raman spectroscopy.
Presented at the Eastern Analytical Symposium, Somerset, New Jersey.

AWARDS, HONORS, AND GRANTS

4/2018: Mallinson Institute for Science Education Graduate Student Research and
Creative Scholars Award
4/2016: Mallinson Institute for Science Education Graduate Student Teaching
Effectiveness Award
5/2016: Kalamazoo American Chemical Society, Outreach Volunteer of the Year
9/2016: Western Michigan University Graduate College Travel Grant
4/2015: Western Michigan University Graduate Student Teaching Credential
4/2012: Saint Mary’s College Department of Chemistry Service Award
12/2007: Saint Mary’s College Presidential Scholarship Award
 Angela Willson-Conrad w 4

WORKSHOP PRESENTATIONS
Planning Team for “Success & You @ WMU” March 2018
Center for Research on Instructional Change in Postsecondary Education
Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan

Planning Team for “Let’s Engage: Using NGSS Data to Enhance October 2017
Student Learning and Success”
Center for Research on Instructional Change in Postsecondary Education
Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan

Planning Team for “Supporting Students Beyond the Classroom” March 2017
Center for Research on Instructional Change in Postsecondary Education
Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan

Planning Team for “Building a Collaborative Vision for WMU” October 2016
Center for Research on Instructional Change in Postsecondary Education
Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan

Presenter and Organizer for Graduate Student Teaching Intensive July 2014
Graduate College and Office of Faculty Development
Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan

Presenter: “What can ELMO do for you: Best practices with a March 2014
document camera”
Teaching and Learning with Technology Symposium
Grand Valley State University, Allendale, Michigan

Presenter: “What can ELMO do for you: Best practices with a February 2014
document camera”
Teaching and Learning with Technology Symposium
Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan

TEACHING AND LEARNING WORKSHOPS ATTENDED

9/2018: Western Michigan University Convocation: “Teaching and Learning Bash”
9/2017: Western Michigan University Office of Diversity and Inclusion
Being Seen: Discussion of Janet Mock’s ‘Surpassing Certainty’
6/2017: Western Michigan University Office of Faculty Development
Teaching with Inclusivity Seminar
10/2016: Western Michigan University Office of Diversity and Inclusion
“Success in College and Beyond” by Dr. Terrell Strayhorn
8/2014: Western Michigan University Office of Faculty Development
Cool Tools: eLearning basics
7/2014: Western Michigan University: Metacognition in the Classroom
5/2014: Workshop at Western Michigan University: Effective Boardwork
 Angela Willson-Conrad w 5

TEACHING AND LEARNING WORKSHOPS ATTENDED (Continued)

10/2013: Workshop at Western Michigan University: Engaging Students in Learning
10/2013: Workshop at Western Michigan University: Cultural Competencies

SERVICE
Oct 2018: Built collaborative workshop between the Western Michigan University
Graduate College, the Office of Faculty Development, and the Center for
Research on Instructional Change in Postsecondary Education to present
an all-day workshop for post-doctoral associates and advanced graduate
students entitled: “Academic Branding: Managing Your Online Presence”
2018-19: Research Team Meeting Organizer
2014-19: Kalamazoo American Chemical Society, Secretary
2014-18: Haverhill Elementary Halloween Science Day, Coordinator
2014-17: Kalamazoo Sunrise Rotarian, Member and Youth Coordinator
2011-16: Kalamazoo Rotary Youth Leadership Academy, administrator
2013-15: National Chemistry Day at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, demonstrator
2012-14: North Minneapolis Rotaract Club, member
2008-12: Saint Mary’s College Rotaract, president and member

CONTINUED EDUCATION
8/2018: Biennial Conference on Chemical Education at Notre Dame University
5/2018: Teaching with Technology Symposium at Grand Valley State University
3/2014: Teaching with Technology Symposium at Grand Valley State University

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
American Chemical Society 2011-present
National Science Teachers Association 2016-2018