Curriculum Vitae

Catherine Haslag

Educator. Creator. Leader. Change Agent

Faculty at Riverland Community College
Austin, Minnesota, United States

Experienced and motivated professor with a demonstrated history of working in the elementary and higher education industry. Skilled in research, editing, curriculum development, technical writing, and public speaking. Experienced in working with students from elementary through post-secondary. A strong leader and education professional with a Master’s Degree focused in Chemistry from Missouri State University.

Professional Bio

Statement of Teaching Philosophy 2024

Education Teaching Experience Honors and Awards Research Experience Professional Development and Continuing Education Professional Affiliations and Committee Service Publications Grants Awarded Presentations Community Service Skills

Education

MS Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, Chemistry, May 2005

Thesis: “Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence Quenching of Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ in the Presence of Acetaminophen, Salicylic Acid and Their Metabolites”

BS Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, Chemistry, Dec 2003

Teaching Experience

Chemistry Faculty, Riverland Community College Austin, MN, Jan 2011 – present

Using a learner-centered approach, I instruct students on the fundamental principles necessary to understand and apply the chemical concepts covered in introduction and general chemistry courses. I have developed laboratory experiments, lecture and supplemental materials, and online course options. I manage chemical stockrooms on two campuses, create course schedules, manage the department budget, and coordinate with student support programs to provide additional resources to encourage student success and retention. I also meet with other departments and programs to ensure the chemistry department fulfills student and college needs. Faculty Profile

Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Science Fair Mentoring Project, Inc., 2014 – 2023

This program removes barriers that prevent students from participating in the science fair. Students work with mentors who guide them through developing and completing a science fair project. All supplies are provided to students to complete this process. To date, the SFMP has helped over 600 students participate in the science fair and exposed over 1,400 to the scientific method through science. I develop the curriculum, organize volunteers, build relationships with school and community organizations, and provide general program management. I have worked to raise more than $80,000 through grants and fundraising and personally volunteered more than 3,000 hours to this program. This program has involved over 360 adult volunteers who act as mentors as part of the program. I instruct these mentors on best practices for working with the students. Program Information

Adjunct Faculty, Ozarks Community and Technical College, Springfield, MO, Jan 2005 – Dec 2006

I developed lectures and supplemental course material for general chemistry classes. I also instructed students in the basic principles necessary to understand chemical concepts.

Teaching Assistant, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, Aug 2003 – May 2005

I taught general and organic chemistry laboratories, assisted students with comprehending chemical concepts in laboratory and lecture materials, and prepared and organized equipment, chemicals, and solutions for lab sessions.

Tutor, Trio Student Services, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO Oct 2000 – May 2003

Tutoring undergraduate students in various subjects, including math, science, and English.

Honors and Awards

Outstanding Educator Award, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees, 2020, 2022 & 2025

Awarded to faculty at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities who demonstrate superior professional achievement. Read an article about the 2020 award. Read about the 2022 awards.

Educator of the Year,Rotary Club International, Austin, MN Chapter, 2015

Awarded to local individuals who make exceptional contributions to the community in the area of education. Read an article about the Rotary awards.

The Vernon J. Thielmann Professional Chemistry Award, 2005

Awarded to graduate students in chemistry at Missouri State University who exhibit exceptional professionalism and understanding in chemistry.

Research Experience

Graduate Research, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, 2003-2005

Area of Research: Determining the quenching abilities of 3-acetaminophenol and acetaminophen on Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ with the use of electrogenerated chemiluminescence.

National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 2002

Area of Research: Forming a thiol-phosphonate SAM on gold and binding cytochrome c to the SAM through electrochemical means.

Professional Development and Continuing Education

Leadership Reads, 2020-present

This group meets monthly to discuss books on leadership and leadership best practices. Previous reads include Fierce Conversations by Susan Scott, Deep Work by Cal Newport, Think Again by Adam Grant, Leading with Emotional Courage by Peter Bregman, and The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier. https://ldr-ship.com/book-club/ Read my blog post about Leadership Reads.)

Teaching with AI Workshop NED Short Course

Completed a 4-week short course through The Network for Education and Development (NED) on equitable and ethical uses of AI in the classroom. Completion Certificate available at https://mnsite.learn.minnstate.edu/d2l/awards/assertions/337004/view

Giving Powerful Feedback in the D2L Assignments Folder Webinar, January 22, 2025

Attended a webinar through the Network for Education and Development (NED) on leveraging the options available in Brightspace to provide better feedback to students.

Classroom Reflection to Classroom Inquiry, Fall 2024

Completed a 3-week short course through The Network for Education and Development (NED) on the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in preparation for applying for the Minnesota REFLECT program in Spring 2025. Completion Certificate available at https://mnsite.learn.minnstate.edu/d2l/awards/assertions/310343/view

Spanish for Faculty and Staff, Fall 2024

Completing a non-credit course through Riverland Community College to learn Spanish to better serve Hispanic Students.

Adult Mental Health First Aide Certified, March 2022

This training and certification was completed through the National Council on Mental Wellbeing. This training equips faculty to provide initial student mental health support through triage and connecting students to appropriate support services.

KSP 601 – Culturally Responsive Teaching, Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN, Spring 2021

A discussion of culturally responsive teaching and pedagogy and ways to incorporate it into the classroom.

KSP 665 – Professional Teacher, Leader, Scholar, Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN, Fall 2020

Exploration of teaching philosophies and ideas as well as the role of the teacher in the classroom, as a student, and as a leader in academia.

On-Course I Workshop, Riverland Community College, Jan 2020

A learner-centered professional development event designed to provide educators with dozens of innovative strategies for empowering students to become active, responsible, and successful learners who become full and active partners in their education.

Conference on Case Study Teaching in Science, University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, Sept 21-22, 2018

A two-day intensive workshop on how to properly use case studies in classes and develop, write, and submit case studies for publication to the National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science database.

2016 SENSER Summer Institute, Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL July 28-Aug 1, 2016

Exploration and discussion of best practices for developing interdisciplinary learning opportunities for STEM students, including public engagement and service components.

Improving your Online Course, 5th Edition, Fall 2016

This online class taught instructors how to develop online course design and implementation to improve the student experience.

Quality Matters Course Certifications

Developed the first hybrid and online Introduction to Chemistry Courses that were Quality Matters (QM) Certified at Riverland Community College. These online classes were the only chemistry course certified in the MinnState system and one of only 5 QM-certified chemistry courses in the nation as of the start of 2020. https://www.qualitymatters.org/reviews-certifications/course-design-reviews

CEDU 434: Quality Matters, Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN, Spring 2013

This course discussed the Quality Matters criteria and best practices to meet them and earn QM certification in online classes.

AE 501: Designing Online Instruction, Southwest Minnesota State University, Summer 2012

This course discussed best online course design, implementation, and execution practices.

Professional Affiliations and Committee Service

Austin Area Foundation Board Member, 2022-present

Member of the Development Committee, Chair and the Scholarship Committee. This position is a three-year appointment. https://austinareafoundation.org/

Hormel Institute Community Advisory Board, member, 2021-present

Advise the Hormel Institute on ways to best engage with the residents of Mower County and support science education. This position is a three-year appointment. https://www.hi.umn.edu/community/community-advisory-board/

Academic Affairs and Standards Council (AASC), 2020-2024

Chair, 2021 – 2023; Faculty Representative, 2020-21 & 2023-24

Reviewed, commented, and voted to approve all changes to courses and degrees at Riverland to maintain industry and academic standards established by Riverland Community College and then Minnesota State System.

Riverland Assessment Committee, member, 2020-present

Assisted with maintaining Best in Class assessment standards at Riverland Community College through Student Learning Outcomes Assessment Project (SLOAP) tracking and faculty training.

American Association of University Women (AAUW) Member, Austin, MN, 2013 – present

Secretary, 2020 to present; Co-President, 2016 – 2018; Program Coordinator, 2014-16

Participated in yearly fundraising activities to provide scholarships to Riverland Community College students.

Faculty Shared Governance, faculty representative, 2013-2015, 2019-2020

Riverland President’s Cabinet, faculty representative, 2015-17

American Chemical Society, member, 2003-2009 & 2011 – present

National Science Teachers Association, member, 2013 – present

Publications

Journal Publications

Haslag, C.S., Richter, M.M. “Electrogenerated chemiluminescence quenching of Ru(bpy)₃²⁺(bpy2,2-bipyridine) in the presence of acetaminophen, salicylic acid, and their metabolites.” Journal of Luminescence, 131.1 (2012): 636-40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jlumin.2011.09.059

Haslag, C.S., “Breaking Bad – Real Science or Hollywood Science.” National Science Teachers Association Case Study Database, https://www.nsta.org/ncss-case-study/breaking-bad-real-science-or-hollywood-science. (2019)

Journal Papers in Preparation

Haslag, C.S., (2021). “Mentoring Elementary School Students to Increase Science Fair Participation.” Unpublished manuscript.

Haslag, C.S. (2021). “Adaptation of a Flint Water Crisis Case Study to Incorporate Culturally Responsive Teaching Strategies.” Unpublished manuscript.

Grants Awarded

Total of nearly $90,000 in grants awarded between 2011 and 2020.

I was awarded grants from the following 4 organizations (16 grants total) to support the Science Fair Mentoring Project:

United Way of Mower County Program Grants, 2014-2020

$24,299.50 (total awarded for seven grants)

Operation Round Up Grants, 2017, 2018, 2019

$2,500 (total awarded for 5 grants over 3 years)

Austin Area Foundation Grants, 2017, 2018, 2019

$3,000 (total awarded for 3 grants)

Library Services and Technology Act Grant, 2016

$44,396 Submitted for technology and supplies and fund support staff to expand science fair support into the Austin Public Library and Banfield Elementary School.

I was awarded the following grants (10 total) for advancing science education at Riverland Community College:

Professional Development and Program Enhancement Grants, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017

$1,480 (total awarded for four grants) Submitted for the funding of the Riverland Promising Scientist Award for 2015-2018 for the Austin Public Schools science fair.

Professional Development and Program Enhancement Grants, 2011, 2013, 2017, 2020

$3,534.87 (total awarded for five grants) Submitted to purchase chemistry lab equipment to update experiments and save students money when purchasing course supplies.

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Faculty Development Grant, 2011

$10,000 Submitted to develop cell cultural techniques curriculum in biology and chemistry courses. This project was in cooperation with Riverland Chemistry and Biology departments.

Presentations

Utilizing Water Quality as an Over-arching Research Project in General Chemistry I, Oct 2023

National Science Teachers Association Annual Conference, Kansas City, MO (Click here to access the supporting webpage.)

Uniting Chemical Concepts Using Ocean Acidification in a General Chemistry 2 Course, Aug 2022

Biennial Conference on Chemical Education, Purdue University, West Layfayette, IN (Click here to access the supporting webpage.)

Breaking Barriers: A Community’s Creative Solution to Inspire Young Scientists, Jan 2019

Minnesota School Boards Association 98^th Annual Leadership Conference, St. Paul, MN,

Faculty Commencement Speaker, 2013, 2017, & 2022

Riverland Community College, Austin, MN

Addressing Barriers that Prevent Science Fair Participation for Elementary School Students, July 2016

SENCER Conference, Chicago, IL,

The Science Fair Mentoring Project: Increasing Civic Engagement Through the Scientific Method, May 2016

MnSCU Spring Academic Affairs Leadership Conference, Bloomington, MN

The Power of a Hypothesis, Oct 2015

TEDxHoracePark, Austin, MN, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aL2UHk9sXcw

The Science Fair Mentoring Project: An Experimental Approach, April 2015

AAUW State Convention, Austin, MN

Objectives: What’s the Point?, April 2014

D2L Ignite Conference, Normandale Community College, Bloomington, MN

Perspectives on the Collaborative Teaching Model, Oct 2012

MnSCU College and University Deans Meeting, Deerwood, MN

Community Service

Congo Kids Science Presenter, 2017 – 2023

Prepare and present engaging activities for pre-school students to introduce them to the scientific method and basic science topics.

Pillars of the City Committee, member, 2019-2021

Review applications and select three individuals who have made significant contributions to improve the quality of life in Austin related to growth, economic impact, health, education, culture, recreation, communications, business, or scientific innovation to be honored as a Pillar of the City. This is a three-year appointment. http://www.ci.austin.mn.us/boards-commissions/dedicated-pillars

Austin Aspires Academic Potential Action Team, 2015-2018

Co-lead the Academic Potential Action Team to identify areas of need in the community and develop a plan of action to support all learners from cradle to career. https://www.austinaspires.org/

Science Fair Special Award Organizer

Organized and executed the evaluation and awarding of two special awards for the Austin Public Schools science fair.

Riverland Promising Scientist Award, 2014-2018
AAUW Aspiring Scientist Award, 2015-2018

Science Fair Judge, Austin Public Schools, 2011-2018

Judged elementary student science fair projects at several local elementary schools in Austin, Minnesota. I also encouraged my general chemistry students to participate in the science fairs to help fair organizers find additional judges.

Skills

Experienced with developing science curriculum for post-secondary and elementary school students that includes hands-on approach and utilizes educational best practices.
Developed new General, Organic, and Biochemistry class for allied health majors at the request of and in collaboration with nursing and biology faculty.
More than 15 years of technical writing experience including 6 years of grant writing experience.
Skilled at storytelling to communicate to grantors the need for funds to improve the educational experience for students.
Created Chemistry Transfer Pathway at Riverland Community College to meet the requirements outlined by the Minnesota State system, including the development of Organic Chemistry 1 and 2 Master (Common) Course Outlines.
Regularly review and update Master Course Outlines for all chemistry courses to keep them relevant to changing educational needs and meet MnTC transfer requirements.
Utilize Zoom to hold online office hours using a Surface tablet. Meeting with students online allows me to share documents with students and work problems with students remotely.
Skilled in delivering class content in online, hybrid, and face-to-face formats.
Created online exams and activities for students to complete using Quizlet, Respondus, Lodestar, and Brightspace.
Record and present lectures and other materials for online and face-to-face students using Echo 360, Windows Video Recorder, Media Space, Surface tablet, PowerPoint, YouTube, Zoom, and Kaltura Capture. Videos are available to students to review on-demand.
Organize science fair kick-off activities for 3^rd and 4^th-grade students at Neveln Elementary School. These activities included a trip to Riverland Community College to participate in an experiment in the science labs. These activities were led and developed by Riverland science faculty.
Skilled in the use of case studies and flipped classroom techniques in lab and lecture.
Mentor for College in the High School chemistry classes since 2012.
Prepared more than 60 labs for students enrolled in Introduction to Chemistry; General, Organic, and Biochemistry; and General Chemistry 1 and 2 classes to provide high-quality experiments and an economical and educational lab experience for students.
Incorporates technology such as spectrophotometers, Explorer GLX, Verner, computers, and MSExcel in laboratory experiments.
Developed Honors General Chemistry 1 course for the Riverland Honors College.
Created online chemistry labs using primary lab equipment students can obtain from Amazon and basic household chemicals such as vinegar, baking soda, soap, and Alka Seltzer®.