Dr. Howard, Catherine H

Dean STEM
Professor, Chemistry/Biology/Physics

Formal Education

Ed.D. Higher Education with an emphasis in Science Education

Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 2001, GPA:  4.0

Dissertation:  Development of an Internet-Based Nutrition Course at Texarkana

College with a Plan for Implementation and Evaluation.

M.S. Chemistry University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, 1986, GPA:  3.7

B.S. Biochemistry magna cum laude University of North Texas, Denton, Texas

            1984

B.A. Theology summa cum laude, Saint Gregory’s University, Shawnee OK, September 2015.

A.S. Science Texarkana College, Texarkana, Texas 1980

Additional Graduate Studies

University of Nebraska at Kearney 2006

Montana State University 1996, 1997, 2005, 2019-2020

Iowa State University 1997

Texas A&M University, Texarkana 1984, 1990, 1991, 1992

Texas A&M University, Commerce 2021

Certificates

Lifetime Texas Teacher Certificate for High School Biology and Chemistry, 1986.

 

Professional Experience

Division Dean STEM and Distance Education Texarkana College 2014-present

  • Oversee approximately 30 full time, adjunct, and dual credit faculty
  • Oversee Distance Education--technology, curricula, quality standards, training
  • Plan curricula and programs
  • Prepare schedules, evaluate faculty and staff
  • Teaches chemistry, biology, and learning theory courses

 

Division Chair Mathematics and Sciences Texarkana College 2013-2014.

  • Oversee 36 faculty members
  • Plan curricula and programs
  • Prepare schedules, evaluate faculty and staff
  • Teach chemistry and biology courses

 

Assistant Chair STEM Division Texarkana College 2011-2013

  • Assist with scheduling, personnel issues, planning curriculum, evaluation of faculty.

 

Professor 1988 to present

Texarkana College: Chemistry and Biology Departments, Texarkana, Texas

  • Teaching load has included nutrition, chemistry I and II, introductory chemistry, organic chemistry I and II, introductory organic and biochemistry, concepts of biology, chemical calculations.
  • Wrote lab manuals for introductory chemistry and introductory organic and biochemistry
  • Contributing author for chapters in several textbooks

 

Adjunct Professor    spring 2005-2013

Texas A&M University Texarkana

  • Taught SCED 597 Special Topics in Teaching Secondary Science, SCED 504 Guiding Student Research, CHEM 510 Chemical Bonding, CHEM 511 Solutions Chemistry, BIOL 597 Genetics and Health, workshops on Nutrition, Cardiovascular Disease, and Diabetes, BIOL 510 and 511 Contemporary Topics in Biology.

 

Technical Advisor     1989-1992

Environmental Protection Agency

  • Acted as liaison between residents of Carver Terrace, a superfund site, and the EPA
  •  Explained the remediation process and reports as they were made available, interpreted testing, produced and distributed monthly newsletters and participated in monthly community meetings

 

High School Science Teacher  1986-1988

Hooks I.S.D., Hooks, Texas

  • Course taught included chemistry, physical science, and physics

 

Chemist 1984-1986

Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant, Hooks, Texas

  • Work focused on identification and quantification of soil and water contamination resulting from the manufacture of explosive ammunition
  • Operated atomic absorption spectrophotometer, gas chromatograph

 

Teaching Assistant 1985-1986

University of North Texas Chemistry Department, Denton, Texas

  • Taught labs for organic chemistry, consumer chemistry, and cell biology
  • Worked as proofreader for chemistry textbook author
  • Worked on creating test bank for chemistry textbook author

 

Research Assistant 1983-1985

University of North Texas Biology and Biochemistry Departments, Denton, Texas

  • Worked on team charged with isolating and characterizing calcium dependent regulators of muscle contraction in Ascarius Suum.

Operated high performance liquid chromatograph

 

Publications/Presentations

  • “Using Twitter to Stay Connected,” TCCTA GIFTS Session Presentation, February 2014.
  • “Making Opportunity Affordable in Texas:  A Student-Centered Approach, Tuning of Chemical Engineering,” THECB, May 2012. Available: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/index.cfm?objectid=D7579EDC-D4F7-2827-DED05888388D5CC5
  • “Using Twitter to Stay Connected,” NISOD Innovation Abstracts, volume 23, number 4, February 11, 2011
  • Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 2001, GPA:  4.0

Dissertation:  Development of an Internet-Based Nutrition Course at Texarkana

College with a Plan for Implementation and Evaluation.

 

Selected Professional Accomplishments and Awards

  • NSF grant co-principle investigator campus $800,000 campus infrastructure grant, 2020
  • Subject Matter Consultant Texas Education Agency, one of two higher education representatives in the state charged with revisions of K-12 science TEKS, 2020-2021
  • Textbook Hero—OpenStax College—Conference Room named Howard Creativity Room
  • Outstanding Distance Learning Faculty Northeast Texas, 2013
  • Texarkana College Faculty Association President, 2012-2014
  • Member Off-Site and On-Site Reaffirmation Committees, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018
  • Member of ACGM committee of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, 2016-2019
  • Member Learning Technology Committee, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, 2014-2018
  • Co-Chair of Texarkana College Achieving the Dream Data Team 2012-2013 and core team 2012 to 2019
  • Member of Texarkana College Academic Council and Curriculum Committee 2011-present
  • Member TOCES, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board,2011-2012
  • Editor and Reviewer of many biology and chemistry texts over the last 30 years including:  Nutrition books by Whitney and Rolfes; Wardlaw and Kessel; and several published by Benjamin Cummings.  Several Introductory Chemistry books including  Introductory Chemistry by Zumdahl, and various biochemistry textbooks.
  • Certificates of completion of Covey training:  Seven Habits, and Leadership
  • Trained in collaborative learning techniques Levels I and II Patrick Henry Community College
  • Reader for AP Biology Exam, Kansas, City.  Summer 2008
  • Chemistry Subject Matter Expert, SMT, for test development for Western Governors University, Summer 2008, Spring 2012
  • Recipient, along with Dr. David Allard of Texas A&M Texarkana Faculty Senate Research Enhancement Grant 2007
  • One of first faculty member at Texarkana College to use internet based learning and to offer internet based courses
  • Sponsor of STEM club 

Affiliations and Memberships

Member of the Board of Directors and Secretary  for Habit for Humanity Texarkana and act as Loan Origination Officer

Board Member Texarkana Museum Systems

Board Member and President Texarkana Friends of the Parks

Board Member National Northeast Texas Alliance of Black School Educators

Member Friends United for a Safe Environment

American Association for the Advancement of Science

National Science Teachers’ Association

Alpha Chi Sigma—Professional Chemistry Fraternity

Northeast Texas Distance Education Consortium—NetNet

Texas Distance Learning Association

Texas Community College Instructional Officers Association

Texas Community College Teachers’ Association

Texarkana College Faculty Association

American Chemical Society

Audubon Society


Last modified: Tuesday, 9 November 2021, 12:32 PM