Jen Herrell
Resume
Jennifer L. Herrell
6500 J Gregg Cove, Unit A
Austin, Texas, 78759
jherrell@austincc.edu
EXPERIENCE: Associate Professor of Biology , Full Time , Assistant Department Chair (Faculty Evaluations)
Austin Community College Austin, TX Aug 2020 – Present
- Conduct lecture and lab courses, including BIOL 1308, 1309, 1406, 1407, 1408 2401, 2402 and 2306 as well as CE BIOL 4000
- Ongoing development of in-person, synchronous online and asynchronous online modalities for all courses
- Continually expanding curricula for all subjects to include traditional and punctuated lectures and flipped courses requiring individual, peer-to-peer and group work, presentations on current scientific news, hands-on lab activities (both experimental and observational), creative and artistic modeling of scientific concepts, and the viewing and analysis of related videos and computer simulations of major biological concepts
- Structured classes to engage students within each topic multiple times before each assessment period to determine any deficiencies or misinterpretations
- Provide students with additional one-on-one and/or small group guidance during office hours and via e-mail, Blackboard , Zoom and Google Meet
- Chaired the 1406 CCO REdesign and 1406 Online Lab Design Committees
- Served as Assistant Department Chair in charge of the Faculty evaluation process June 2024 - Present
Professor of Biology, Adjunct
Austin Community College Austin, TX Aug 2010 – July 2020
- Conducted lecture and lab courses, including BIOL 1308, 1309, 1406, 1407 and 1408 as well as CE BIOL 4000
- Created and implemented flipped 1406 Cellular/ Molecular Biology course in which students review online narrated lectures (created using Blackboard/ VoiceThread/ YouTube) before each class period and engage applied activities during class meetings
- Structured classes to engage students within each topic multiple times before each assessment period to determine any deficiencies or misinterpretations
- Provided students with additional one-on-one and/or small group guidance during office hours and via e-mail, Blackboard and VoiceThread
- Tutored biology students in the Northridge and Round Rock Learning Labs.
- Served as an 2017-2018 FCTL Project ACC Faculty Fellow
- Assisted the 1309 Redesign Committee creation of and updates to the BIOL 1309 Study Guide as the only adjunct faculty member
Customer Service Representative
Hill Country Landscape Austin, TX Mar - Aug 2010
- Helped customers select appropriate plants for their landscaping projects.
- Organized and maintain inventory of plants, chemicals, and equipment
- Cashier
Professor of Biology
Vernon College Wichita Falls, TX Jan 2005 - Aug 2009
- Taught 4 to 5 complete biology courses (both lecture and lab) per semester, including Anatomy & Physiology I & II, General Biology I & II, Life & Earth Science for Education Majors, and Microbiology
- Taught face to face courses which maximize interaction time with students (24-30 hours per week) and maintained 10-12 office hours per week in which students could seek additional tutoring.
- Created and implemented hybrid course curricula in which the lecture materials were accessed by students online with meetings once to twice per week for lab activities and testing.
- Modified both curricula and teaching style for various locations and time limitations; all courses could be taught in a 5 ½ , 8 or 16 week format and in both online and face-to-face formats
- Developed and used WebCT/ Blackboard 10, Course Compass online components for all courses.
- Maintained lab and all necessary lab supplies including ordering all specimens and models.
- Provided advice to students regarding the appropriate science courses to take to accomplish their academic goals.
- Developed curricula for the Earth Rocks Geology Ecokit in conjunction with both River Bend Nature Center and students from my Life and Earth Science for Education Majors course.
Field Guide
River Bend Nature Center Wichita Falls, TX July 2001 - Nov 2009
- Lead students grades K-6 on tours of the Bottomland Forest Nature Trail and Ruby Priddy Butterfly Conservatory, encouraging and nurturing their natural curiosity and love of the outdoors
- Presented ecology and biology lessons to numerous school, day care facilities, and extra-curricular groups in the Wichita Falls area. This often required rapid and creative modification of each lesson plan as the facilities available for each lesson were unknown prior to arrival on-site
- Presented ecological information to the public at numerous nature-themed events held at the nature center
- Helped develop biology-themed curricula for Kids College held in June 2004; a week-long series of activities designed to help students learn about nature
- Created curricula for the June 2009 River Bend Nature Detectives Summer Camp
Teaching Assistant/ Lab Coordinator
Midwestern State University Wichita Falls, TX Aug 2001 - Dec 2004
- Coordinated all lab sections of General Zoology and ensured that all course material presented was consistent with academic standards of the university
- Maintained living and preserved specimen collection within General Zoology lab as well as all necessary teaching and lab materials
- Taught multiple lab sections of General Zoology, Anatomy & Physiology I and II, and General Botany
- Assisted professors with lab setup, grading, and research materials
- Occasionally acted as a substitute lecturer when professors were unavailable
EDUCATION Pursuing Advanced certificate in Biotechnology
Austin Community College Austin, TX Aug 2016 – Present
Post-graduate Coursework for SACS Accreditation
University of Nebraska, Kearney NE July 2016
Masters of Science (Biology)
Midwestern State University Wichita Falls, TX Dec 2005
Bachelors of Science (Biology)
Midwestern State University Wichita Falls, TX May 2001
PRESENTATIONS:
Herrell, J.L. (2018). Faculty Fellows Project 2017-2018/ Presented at the ACC Biology Department Fall Meeting.
Herrell, J.L. & Diamond, I. (2018). Play to Learn! FUNdamentals of Active Teaching. Presented at the Austin Community College Faculty Center for teaching & Learning (FCTL) Faculty Fellows Summer Institute.
Herrell, J.L. & Diamond, I. (2018). Flipping Out About Flipped Teaching. Presented at the Austin Community College Faculty Center for teaching & Learning (FCTL) Faculty Fellows Summer Institute.
SPECIAL PROJECTS: Austin Community College
- ACC FCTL Project ACC: Faculty Fellow Cohort II: Participated in a 4-semester program as part of the FCTL Project ACC during which I:
- Designed and implemented a flipped 1406 Cellular/ Molecular Biology course. This involved the creation of 20+ narrated online lectures (Powerpoint, Voicethread, YouTube) and the addition of numerous in-class active learning and assessment techniques to the course.
- Helped organize and host the 2018 FCTL Summer Institute for Active and Engaged Learning for 50+ ACC faculty members
- Presented both a plenary on Active Learning Techniques and individual breakout sessions on the Flipped Classroom Technique to attendees of the Summer Institute
- Served as a mentor to one of the 2018/2019 Cohort III Faculty Fellows during the Fall 2018 semester
- Presented my experience with the FCTL Faculty Fellows to the ACC Biology Department at the August 2018 Fall Meeting.
- Flipped 1406 SEA-PHAGE Project
- Currently co-developing a template with Dr. Delia Hindman for new instructors for 1406 Cellular/ Molecular Biology using the flipped classroom technique paired with the new SEA-PHAGE labs.
COMMITTEE
INVOLVEMENT: Austin Community College
- Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning (FCTL) Project ACC Faculty Fellows Member (Cohort II: 2017-2018
- 1309 Life on Earth Redesign Committee (2013)
Vernon College
- New Employee Hiring Committee (2009)
- Program Evaluation Committee (2008)
- Faculty Senate (2004-2009, Secretary 2009)
PROFESSIONAL
AFFILIATIONS:
- Member - Texas Community College Teachers Association, September 2008 – 2009
- Member - Texas Master Naturalists Rolling Plains Chapter, March 2007 – 2009, State Certified January 2009
Published: January 31, 2025