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.
Thesis: “Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence Quenching of Ru(bpy)32+ in the Presence of Acetaminophen, Salicylic Acid and Their Metabolites”
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.
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
I developed lectures and supplemental course material for general chemistry classes. I also instructed students in the basic principles necessary to understand chemical concepts.
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.
Tutoring undergraduate students in various subjects, including math, science, and English.
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. Read article about 2025 award.
Awarded to local individuals who make exceptional contributions to the community in the area of education. Read an article about the Rotary awards.
Awarded to graduate students in chemistry at Missouri State University who exhibit exceptional professionalism and understanding in chemistry.
Area of Research: Determining the quenching abilities of 3-acetaminophenol and acetaminophen on Ru(bpy)32+ with the use of electrogenerated chemiluminescence.
Area of Research: Forming a thiol-phosphonate SAM on gold and binding cytochrome c to the SAM through electrochemical means.
Awarded a 1-year sabbatical to explore new ways to engage with students academically. This work included learning H5P, building course materials, learning how to make courses more accessible to students (including meeting WCAG 2.1 standards), and reading chemistry and teaching-related books. Click here to read by sabbatical blog series, documenting this learning.
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. Read my blog post about Leadership Reads.)
Completed a 3-week short course through The Network for Education and Development (NED) on how to create accessible course documents for all students. View the certificate of completion.
Completed a 4-week short course through The Network for Education and Development (NED) on equitable and ethical uses of AI in the classroom. View the completion certificate.
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
Completing a non-credit course through Riverland Community College to learn Spanish to better serve Hispanic Students.
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.
A discussion of culturally responsive teaching and pedagogy and ways to incorporate it into the classroom.
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.
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.
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.
Exploration and discussion of best practices for developing interdisciplinary learning opportunities for STEM students, including public engagement and service components.
This online class taught instructors how to develop online course design and implementation to improve the student experience.
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
This course discussed the Quality Matters criteria and best practices to meet them and earn QM certification in online classes.
This course discussed best online course design, implementation, and execution practices.
Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors, Chair of the Scholarship Committee, and Member of the Distribution Committee.
Advise the Hormel Institute on ways to best engage with the residents of Mower County and support science education.
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.
Assisted with maintaining Best in Class assessment standards at Riverland Community College through Student Learning Outcomes Assessment Project (SLOAP) tracking and faculty training.
Secretary, 2020 to 2022; Co-President, 2016 – 2018; Vice President of Programming, 2014-16 and 2025-2027; Webmaster, 2021-present.
Participated in yearly fundraising activities to provide scholarships to Riverland Community College students.
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)
I was awarded grants from the following 4 organizations (16 grants total) to support the Science Fair Mentoring Project:
$24,299.50 (total awarded for seven grants)
$2,500 (total awarded for 5 grants over 3 years)
$3,000 (total awarded for 3 grants)
$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:
$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.
$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.
$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.
American Chemical Society Biennial Conference on Chemical Education, Madison, WI. (Click here to access the supporting webpage.)
National Science Teachers Association Annual Conference, Minneapolis, MN. (Click here to access the supporting webpage.)
National Science Teachers Association Annual Conference, Kansas City, MO (Click here to access the supporting webpage.)
American Chemical Society Biennial Conference on Chemical Education, Purdue University, West Layfayette, IN (Click here to access the supporting webpage.)
Minnesota School Boards Association 98th Annual Leadership Conference, St. Paul, MN,
Riverland Community College, Austin, MN
SENCER Conference, Chicago, IL,
MnSCU Spring Academic Affairs Leadership Conference, Bloomington, MN
TEDxHoracePark, Austin, MN, Click here to watch YouTube video.
AAUW State Convention, Austin, MN
D2L Ignite Conference, Normandale Community College, Bloomington, MN
MnSCU College and University Deans Meeting, Deerwood, MN
Prepare and present engaging activities for pre-school students to introduce them to the scientific method and basic science topics.
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
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.
Organized and executed the evaluation and awarding of two special awards for the Austin Public Schools science fair.
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.