Brenna Lorenz
Summary
Creative and flexible academic geologist with decades of teaching experience, academic publishing, problem-solving, and course and curriculum development.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Professor of Earth Sciences
William Rainey Harper College
01.2007 - Current
- Revised and developed the geology and earth science curriculum based on state requirements and local needs.
- Developed and eventually co-authored a published laboratory manual for physical and environmental geology that emphasizes local geology.
- Co-authored a geology textbook (published by Kendall-Hunt) that presents the material in a format designed to increase accessability of the content for students.
- Incorporated web resources into the course materials.
- Supported diverse learners by individualizing instruction to meet their needs, and made a point of getting to know each student individually.
- Connecting the course content with other fields of study and with common experience.
Staff Librarian, Earth & Mineral Sciences Library
The Pennsylvania State University
06.2001 - 12.2006
- Researched and acquired new library materials to maintain updated library collection.
- Assisted students in locating and using library resources.
- Maintained library databases to support accuracy and availability in circulation systems.
- Maintained the reserved book collection.
Associate Professor of Geology
University Of Guam
08.1992 - 05.2000
- Developed the geology curriculum from scratch.
- Created and maintained an extensive collection of rocks, minerals, fossils and maps for teaching.
- Developed labs and field trips relevant to Guam.
- In addition to geology, taught college courses in mathematics, chemistry and biology. This included writing plays for acting out organic chemistry reaction mechanisms.
- Worked with the Federated States of Micronesia to determine why Micronesian students had a low success rate at the University of Guam. Taught demonstration courses for high school teachers in Chuuk, Micronesia, and developed materials that instructors with no background and no materials could use to teach science.
- Chaired the Curriculum Committee for several years.
- With a colleague, developed and taught a course (in Nusa Tenggara) on the Natural History of Indonesia.
- With students, researched aspects of the geology of Guam and the Northern Marianas.
Education
Ph.D. - Geochemistry
Memorial University of Newfoundland
St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada09.1983
Master of Science - Geology
SUNY At Buffalo
Buffalo, New York12.1979
Bachelor of Science - Biology
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY05.1976
Skills
- Classroom and online teaching excellence
- Course and curriculum development
- Creation of educational materials
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Brainstorming and problem-solving
- Interpersonal skills
- Graphic design and art skills
- Broad general knowledge base
Timeline
Associate Professor of Earth Sciences
William Rainey Harper College
01.2007 - Current
Staff Librarian, Earth & Mineral Sciences Library
The Pennsylvania State University
06.2001 - 12.2006
Associate Professor of Geology
University Of Guam
08.1992 - 05.2000
Ph.D. - Geochemistry
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Master of Science - Geology
SUNY At Buffalo
Bachelor of Science - Biology
Syracuse University
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