Spencer S. Stober

Teaching Experience

Professor, Biology (undergraduate) and Education (graduate), Alvernia University, December 2009 – present

Associate Professor, Biology (undergraduate) and Education (graduate), Alvernia University, January 2002 – December 2009

Recipient, Alvernia College Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation Award for Excellence in Teaching, 2004

Promoted to Assistant Professor of Biology, Alvernia University, June 1986

Earned tenure, August 1992

Instructor, Biology, Alvernia University, August 1985

Adjunct Instructor (full-time), Biology, Millersville University, fall 1984

Science Teacher, Governor Mifflin Schools, January 1972 – June 1984
    (Tenured – May 1974; earned permanent teaching certificate – February 1975)

Courses taught at the undergraduate level

Botany

Cell Biology

Environmental Issues

General Biology

Genetics

God, Science and Designer Genes (Honors)

Occasional courses including: Introductory Statistics; Chemistry for Contemporary Times; Close Encounters of the Natural Kind; Human Biology; Earth Science; Vertebrate Physiology

Master’s Level

Educators as Researchers

Seminar in Sustainable Community Development

Teaching Math and Science

Occasional courses including: Communication and Information Literacy; Current Issues in Health Care; Evolution of Scientific Thought and Perception

Ph.D. Level

Advanced Research Colloquium

Theories in Organizational Structure and Strategic Leadership

Travel Courses

Humanitarian Service Project, Health Care On-Line MBA Program for Doctors,
    Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (Spring 2007, developed course)

Natural History of Costa Rica (masters level) (June 2004, developed course)

God and Science on the Galapagos, Ecuador (undergraduate/masters) (June 2003, developed course)

Administrator for “The Cuban Experience,” travel to Cuba through the Center for Cuban Studies, NY (masters level) (January 2001)

Student Research/Project Advisement (partial list)

Dissertation Chair: “Attacking Bullying: An Examination of Anti-Bullying Legislation and Policies," Tammy Toso, scheduled to graduate in May 2012

Dissertation Chair: “The Role of Faculty-Student Interactions in Student Development and Engagement Based on Varying Levels of Institutional Scholarship of Engagement,” Alicia Sprow, December 2011

Thesis Committee Advisor (MALS) for Danielle Farrell, in progress (2010 - present)

Advisor for Community Based Project for Alicia Sprow (GA) to develop the Angelica Park environmental education center (2008 – present)

Thesis Committee Member (MALS) for Ronald A. Flowers, Jr., “Radical and Religious Terrorism: A New Old Problem” (2009)

Dissertation Committee Member (Ed.D.) for Neil H. Penny, “Assessing Student Outcomes of a Value-Based Education: The Effectiveness of the Defining Issues Test” at Wilmington University, November (2007)  

Honors Thesis Co-Advisor (undergraduate) Advisor for Donna M. Blackney, “The Process of Making the Decision to Receive or Refuse Prenatal Testing for a Fetus at Increased Risk of Disability” (2007)

Honors Thesis Advisor (undergraduate) Advisor for Pamela Wagar, “The Effects of Osteogenesis Imperfecta on Social Outcome” (2006)

Capstone Advisor (M.Ed.) for Judith Burgess-Bitowf, “Edgar Snow, American Friend of the Chinese (1928-1972): His History and My Adventure” (2006)

Capstone Advisor (M.Ed.) for Marisa P. Stoltzfus as a “Church Health Team leader” (2006)

Capstone Adviser (M.Ed.) for Anne B. Bleistine, “Does Student Participation in Citizen Science Projects Raise Test Scores?” (2005)

Capstone Advisor (M.Ed.) for Brenda K. Hanson, “Ability Grouping of Students and Calculus Readiness” (2005)

Capstone Advisor (M.Ed.) for Christine B. Heinbach, “The Effectiveness of an Academic Skills Class on Ninth Grade Student Performance at Lancaster Catholic High School” (2005)

Capstone Advisor (M.Ed.) for Christine M. Kennedy, “Computer and Technology Literacy: Availability and Use Across the Curriculum at Lancaster Catholic High School” (2005)

Capstone Advisor (M.Ed.) for Rosanne M. Settino, “Use of a Placement Rubric as a Predictor of Classroom Performance” (2005)

Capstone Advisor (M.Ed.) for Stacey Ward, “How Are the Multiple Intelligences Represented in Lancaster Catholic High School’s Graduation Awards/Scholarships?” (2005)

Capstone Reader (MSOT) for Terri (Whipple) Ocean, “Perception of OT in Acute Rehab Patients at Admission and Discharge” (2004)

Dissertation Committee Member for Tammy Gore, Jerry Thacker, and Tammy Toso (2010 – present)

Thesis Committee Advisor (MALS) for Danielle Farrell, in progress (2010 – present)

Advisor for Community Based Project (Graduate Assistantship) for Alicia Sprow to develop the Angelica Park environmental education center (2008 – present)

Thesis Committee Member (MALS) for Ronald A. Flowers, Jr., “Radical and Religious Terrorism: A New Old Problem” (2009)

Dissertation Committee Member (Ed.D.) for Neil H. Penny, “Assessing Student Outcomes of a Value-Based Education: The Effectiveness of the Defining Issues Test” at Wilmington University, November (2007) 

Honors Thesis Co-Advisor (undergraduate) Advisor for Donna M. Blackney, “The Process of Making the Decision to Receive or Refuse Prenatal Testing for a Fetus at Increased Risk of Disability” (2007)

Honors Thesis Advisor (undergraduate) Advisor for Pamela Wagar, “The Effects of Osteogenesis Imperfecta on Social Outcome” (2006)

Capstone Advisor (M.Ed.) for Judith Burgess-Bitowf, “Edgar Snow, American Friend of the Chinese (1928-1972): His History and My Adventure” (2006)

Capstone Advisor (M.Ed.) for Marisa P. Stoltzfus as a “Church Health Team leader” (2006)

Capstone Adviser (M.Ed.) for Anne B. Bleistine, “Does Student Participation in Citizen Science Projects Raise Test Scores?” (2005)

Capstone Advisor (M.Ed.) for Brenda K. Hanson, “Ability Grouping of Students and Calculus Readiness” (2005)

Capstone Advisor (M.Ed.) for Christine B. Heinbach, “The Effectiveness of an Academic Skills Class on Ninth Grade Student Performance at Lancaster Catholic High School” (2005)

Professional Memberships and Certifications

Association for Practical and Professional Ethics (APPE)

American Association of University Professors (AAUP)

Berks County Conservancy

Beta Kappa Chi, National Scientific Honor Society

International Leadership Association (ILA)

National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)

PA Teaching Certification for Biology and General Science (current)

Special Training

Distance Education: Blended Course Instructional Certificate, Alvernia, 2009

Dissertation Workshop (for Committee Members), Alvernia College, May 19, 2008

ATLAS.ti (Qualitative Software) Training Workshop, Alvernia College, May 22, 2008

Certificate, NIH Office of Human Subjects Research training for NIH IRB members, September 25, 2007, #1190767758

Chemical Hygiene and Disposal, Turning Bird Consulting, Ltd., June 27, 2007

National Incident Management System (NIMS IS-700), July 25, 2006

Continuing Professional Education: “Faculty-to-Faculty Exchange,” Berks County Intermediate Unit (6 PA Act 48 hours), June 21, 2006

Certificate, Laboratory Safety, sponsored The Laboratory Safety Institute, October 18 – 19, 2005

Certificate, Forensics/Biotechnology Workshop, sponsored by EDVOTEK: The Biotechnology Education Company, March 21 – 22, 2005

Internet security training, Alvernia College, November 22, 2004

Interactive white-board training, SMART BoardTM Technologies, May 18, 2004

Continuing Professional Education: “Dioceses of Allentown Education Convention,” 5 PA Act 48 hours, October 18, 2003

Continuing Professional Education: “Nolde Forest Environmental Training,” (2 PA Act 48 hours), January 24, 2001

Certificate, Plan Reading, Building Construction and Estimating program, Chicago Technical College, completed February 1982

YMCA certificate, open water scuba diving, 1970