Nancy Jo Getson
A dedicated educator with extensive experience teaching physics, astronomy, engineering, and computer science courses at both 2-year colleges and 4-year universities; a skilled communicator and dynamic course creator; a compassionate advocate for all students
Senior Lecturer, Department of Physics and Astronomy – May 2014–present
Lecturer II, Department of Physics and Astronomy- May 2004–May 2014
Lecturer I, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR – August 2000–May 2004
Instruction
• Instructing lower-division engineering, physics, and astronomy courses
• Developing new engineering courses to add to the course catalog
• Constructing new laboratory exercises for PHYS 1400, 1401, 1410, 1420
• Organizing and publishing an online library of laboratory exercises for PHYS 1400, 1401, 1410, and 1420
• Creating and maintaining an extensive network of online course webs
Service
• Participating in the ongoing ABET accreditation process for the Engineering Physics program
• Serving on multiple Department and College of Natural Science and Mathematics faculty hiring committees
• Served on College of Natural Science and Mathematics Curriculum & Assessment Committee
• Served on College of Natural Science and Mathematics Lecturer Promotion Committee
Outreach
• Cyber Discovery Camp Counselor, Summers 2014–15: On-campus week-long residential camp targeted at high school student teams
interested in engineering and computer science (sponsored by cyber.org)
• Analysis and Investigation of Cyber Scenarios (AICS) Camp Co-Director, Summers 2016–20: On-campus week-long residential camp
targeted at high school teams (sponsored by cyber.org)
• Summer Mathematics and Science Program, Summer 2017: On-campus week-long day camp targeted at middle school students
August 1998–May 1999
Visiting Instructor, Department of Physics
University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
• Developed and implemented a workshop-based curriculum for PHYS 100: Introduction to Physics
• Wrote new laboratory exercises for PHYS 104: Introduction to Astronomy
• Maintained an extensive network of online course webs
• Installed and administered Linux server for student access to course webs
September 1995–June 1998
Instructor, Division of Science and Math
Grays Harbor College, Aberdeen, WA
• Instructed all engineering and computer science courses
• Proposed, developed, and taught new courses in engineering and computer science
• Revised curriculum of existing courses to align with and transfer to state universities
• Provided academic advising to approximately 30 students per academic quarter
• Installed and administered a Linux server to provide email for students and faculty
• Supervised student-administered email and web servers
• Published extensive course webs for each class
• Served on Library Advisory; Safety; and Computer & Related Technologies Committees
• Faculty Advisor to the Engineering, Math, and Science Club
January 1991–May 1995
Instructor, Division of Math and Science
Scottsdale Community College, Scottsdale, AZ
• Instructed a broad range of physics, astronomy, and engineering courses
• Implemented Engineers in the Field: A Guest Lecture Series for an engineering design class
• Co-piloted a physics education program in the local high school district
• Faculty Advisor to SCC Astronomy Club and SCC Engineering and Technology Club
Education
M.S., Engineering Science (Materials Science) | Arizona State University | December 1990 |
B.S., Physics (Honors College) | Michigan State University | September 1987 |
Summary of Courses Taught
The University of Central Arkansas The University of Idaho Grays Harbor College Scottsdale Community College | PHYS 3345: Optics
PHYS 111: College Physics I PHYS 211: University Physics I
ENGR 274: Engineering Mechanics – Dynamics
PHY 115: University Physics I |
Related Skills and Abilities
Course Creation: Syllabus origination, design/implementation of laboratory exercises, content creation for in-person and online delivery Curriculum Development: Curriculum mapping and alignment
Assessment: Defining learning objectives, formalizing and assessing student outcomes
Instructional and Lab Tools: PRS RF Response System, SMART Response XE, LoggerPro, LabQuest, BOE-Bots, Stellarium, Project Clea
Programming Languages: C++, FORTRAN, Pascal, HTML, pBasic
Productivity and LMS Tools: MS Office, iWork, Google Workspace, Blackboard Ultra
Professional Affiliations and Certifications
American Association of Physics Teachers
American Society for Engineering Education
Washington Council for Engineering and Related Technologies Education
Arizona Community College Board Certification: Regular A.1.a, engineering and physics
References
Dr. Carl Frederickson, Professor and Chair | Dr. William Slaton, Professor and Director of Engineering Physics | Dr. Ashley Hicks, Outreach Coordinator Arkansas School for Math, Science, and the Arts |