Heather Syrett
Teaching Experience
Professor, Fall 2023 – Present
Associate Professor, Fall 2017 – Summer 2023
Assistant Professor, Fall 2016 – Summer 2017
Adjunct Professor, Fall 2010 – Summer 2016
General Studies and Student Development
Austin Community College (ACC), Austin, TX
EDUC 1300/1200/1100, Learning Frameworks: Effective Strategies for College Success (formerly PSYC 1300)
A transferable core course for new students that provides an overview of the research and theory in the psychology of learning, cognition, and motivation, factors that impact learning, and application of learning strategies.
SDEV 0111, Transition to College Success
A developmental level course designed for new students with priority needs providing an overview of key aspects, knowledge, and skills needed in the transition to college life.
POFT 1171, College to Career Success
A one-credit workforce course that provides an introduction to the process of career decision-making, educational planning, and job searching aimed at workforce students.
- Teach multiple modalities and session lengths including online synchronous and asynchronous, hybrid, and traditional classroom sections ranging from 5- to 16-week sessions. Utilize a variety of instructional strategies and approaches focused on active learning, pedagogical innovation, and culturally responsive teaching.
- Primary author and editor of Learning Framework: Strategies for College Success, a free Open Educational Resource (OER) used in all EDUC courses at ACC as well as other colleges resulting in saving ACC students over $3 million in textbook fees. Create free and accessible instructor support materials including slide presentations, sample lesson plans, test banks, activities, and assessments. Regularly update the text to reflect current research and best practices.
- Design department-wide curriculum, including writing course objectives and outcomes, creating course master syllabi and LMS templates, designing assessments, and providing faculty with sample materials.
- Ensure all online course content adheres to criteria for a Quality Matters Certified Course; serve as a Peer and Master Reviewer for Quality Matters Course Reviews.
- Consistently evaluate teaching practices, course policies, course materials, and content delivery to ensure equity, accessibility, and inclusion for a diverse student population at a Hispanic-serving institution, including dual-credit, adult learners, first-generation, military-affiliated, and students from diverse cultures and socio-economic backgrounds.
- Participate in departmental responsibilities and departmental governance, including mentoring new faculty, curriculum revision, faculty hiring, program review, and assessment of student learning outcomes at the course and program level.
- Maintain regular student support hours, in-person and virtually, to advise, assist, and support students.
- Maintain accurate student records as required by Austin Community College policy.
- Receive consistently outstanding student evaluations.
Assistant Department Chair, Spring 2017 – Present
General Studies and Student Development
Austin Community College, Austin, TX
- Oversee the department’s annual evaluation process for over 100 adjunct instructors.
- Direct full-time faculty evaluation committee, make evaluation assignments, create evaluation rubrics and standards, establish timeframes and deadlines, and serve as the primary point of contact for the department’s evaluation process.
- Monitor adjunct faculty’s portfolio cycle responsibilities as determined by teaching year, communicate requirements and expectations, facilitate regular training sessions on the evaluation process, and create and provide sample materials.
- Serve as the final reviewer of all adjunct faculty teaching portfolios, student evaluations, professional development, and administrative compliance to create their annual evaluation summary.
- Assist the Department Chair as needed to support the department.
Interim Department Chair, Spring – Summer 2020
General Studies and Student Development
Austin Community College, Austin, TX
- Provided temporary leadership to the department during the spring and summer semesters of 2020 (COVID-19).
- Served as the primary department contact and a liaison between faculty and college leadership.
- Oversaw the transition from a traditional course schedule to 100% online for summer and fall 2020, including the introduction of synchronous online delivery.
- Supported department faculty in the abrupt transition to online synchronous and asynchronous instruction.
- Carefully monitored unpredictable enrollment due to the pandemic to adjust the course schedule, including cancelations, faculty reassignments, and changes to delivery modality and session lengths.
- Oversaw degree audits, grade change requests, course substitutions, incompletes, class limit overrides, and student and faculty complaints and concerns.
- Performed administrative duties due to the vacancy of an Administrative Assistant.
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Summer 2024 – Present
First-Year Experience
University of Maryland Global Campus
PACE 111, Program and Career Exploration
A three-credit course that serves as an orientation to UMGC and an exploration of how UMGC academic programs align with professional goals and career options. The focus is on developing and practicing communication, teamwork, professionalism, and integrity skills while exploring ways to develop and enhance career opportunities. The aim is to become familiar with the university's academic culture and expectations; learn about UMGC resources for success; reflect on academic and professional goals; and explore opportunities to shorten programs through transfer credit and other prior learning.
- Teach and mentor students, predominately military affiliated, via 8-week online asynchronous sections, each section focused on a different area of study.
- Monitor student progress and submit early alerts for students who need additional support.
- Provide one-on-one coaching and connection to all students.
- Work closely with a Success Network and the First-Year Experience Team to assist students to successful completion.
Adjunct Instructor, Fall 2024 – Present
Texas State University, San Marcos, TX
US 1100: University Seminar
University Seminar is a one-credit course that supports students in their transition to Texas State University. The course focuses on strategies for success and life-long learning. Students apply the concepts learned in the course as they navigate their new college experience.
- Teach in-person sections, approximately 25 students per section.
- Use a variety of instructional strategies and approaches focused on active learning.
- Design lessons, activities, and assignments that support the course learning outcomes.
- Work closely with a student peer mentor to foster community and provide multiple points of support.
- Monitor student progress and submit early alerts for students who need additional support.
Online Instructor, GU100: Student Success Spring 2013 – Fall 2013
Grantham University, Kansas City, MO
- Taught an 8-week mandatory course for new students, predominately adult learners and military-affiliated students, providing an introduction to online learning, university policy and procedures, and student success strategies.
- Utilized Angel LMS, Google chat and video, Eye Jot, and other asynchronous learning tools.
Instructor, Lovett 105: Service, Education, and Responsible Citizenship Spring 1996, Spring 1997
Rice University, Houston, TX
- Designed and taught a three-credit-hour undergraduate service-learning-based course that exposed students to issues related to community service, the relationship between colleges and their host communities, and responsible citizenship.
- Received outstanding student evaluations.
Published: October 24, 2024