Planned Serendipity

Abstract

“I’m a bitch, I’m a lover, I’m a child, I’m a mother…” I could add “I’m a professor” to the chorus of Meredith Brooks’ song. The different aspects of my life each inform the other and make me who I am, and I really wouldn’t have it any other way. At different times in my life, the balance among these roles has shifted, but overall I can say that I have been blessed with a fantastic partner, delightful daughter, and an engaging and successful career.

About the Author

Education and Professional Career

1992:

BA Chemistry, Hendrix College, AR

1995:

MS Physical Chemistry, University of Oklahoma, OK

1998:

PhD Physical Chemistry, University of Oklahoma, OK

1998–1999:

Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI

2000–2003:

Assistant Professor, Central Missouri State University, MO

2003–2008:

Associate Professor, Central Missouri State University, MO

2008–2011:

Professor, University of Central Missouri, MO

2011–present:

Associate Professor, University of Iowa, IA

Honors and Awards (Selected)

2015:

American Chemical Society Western Connecticut Section Visiting Scientist

2015:

Fellow, American Chemical Society

2014:

Iowa Women of Innovation Award for Academic Innovation and Leadership

2010:

UCM College of Science & Technology Award for Excellence in Teaching

2009:

UCM Fall 2009 Convocation Speaker

2009:

Missouri Governor’s Award for Excellence in Education

Renée is active in chemical education research, focusing on issues related to how students learn chemistry and how that guides the design of instructional materials and teaching strategies. She is actively involved in the POGIL (Process-Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning) project at a national and international level. She also serves as an associate editor for the Journal of Chemical Education.