KarenAnn Caldwell
Willington
Summary
Experienced educator at University of Connecticut with a focus on chemistry education and curriculum development. Successfully created innovative laboratory experiences and distance learning programs, enhancing student understanding of complex scientific concepts. Proficient in grant writing and research supervision, promoting high levels of student engagement and achievement in scientific inquiry.
Overview
59
59
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Professor in Residence
University of Connecticut
08.2018 - Current
- Teaching General Chemistry I & II (CHEM 1127Q/1128Q), Fundamentals of General Chemistry I & II (CHM 1124Q/1125Q), Physical Chemistry Lab (CHEM 3565W)
- Helping with the development of the General Chemistry for Majors I (1137Q) and developing the new General Chemistry of majors II Class
- Developing lectures for all Gen Chem classes including simulations of important topics
- Revising and updating old labs and developing new labs for Physical Chemistry (PChem)
- Purchase of new instrumentation for PChem
- Converting Gen Chem to distance learning (synchronous) mode
- Converting PChem labs to split in-person and creating online versions during quarantine
- Assisting in teaching the 40-hour HAZWOPER (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response) training
Assistant Professor
NMSU/DACC
01.2012 - 08.2018
- Teaching Principles & Applications of Chemistry (CHEM 110G), General Chemistry I & II (CHEM 111G & 112G), lectures and labs
- Developing new labs and writing CHEM 111-112 & CHEM 110 lab manuals
- Developing demonstrations for classroom use
Adjunct Instructor
DACC
01.2011 - 12.2011
- Teaching Principles & Applications of Chemistry (CHEM 110G), lecture and lab
Co-owner
RESPR, Inc.
01.2003 - 01.2008
- Computer Simulation Company, focusing on weather-related issues
Director
The Planetarium at Santa Fe Community College
01.2001 - 01.2002
- Running planetarium shows
- Programming new shows
- Grant writing
- Year-end report writing
- Developing and managing yearly budget
- Supervising volunteers
- Managing planetarium store
- Community outreach
Assistant Professor
University of the Virgin Islands
01.1997 - 01.2001
- Teaching General Chemistry I & II, lectures and labs
- Teaching non-calculus General Physics I & II, lecture and lab
- Teaching Earth Science 100 & 200 (The Natural World and Changes to the Natural World)
- Developing labs for Physics (new class at UVI-STX)
- Revising and rewriting Chemistry labs
- Helping develop Natural World labs
- Hiring and supervising stockroom director
- Hiring and supervising Teaching Assistants for Natural World courses
- Developing and leading 2-week summer and school-year weekend programs for junior high school students
- Beginning undergraduate research program with HBCU grant
Part-time Adjunct
College of the Southwest
01.1995 - 01.1997
- Teaching Introductory Astronomy, lecture and lab
Assistant Professor
New Mexico State University, Carlsbad
01.1993 - 01.1997
- Teaching Chemistry (CHEM 110G,111G, 112G, 211), lecture and labs
- Developing and writing labs for all Chemistry classes
- Hiring and supervising work-study stockroom assistants
- Teaching Introductory Astronomy (ASTR 110G), lecture and lab
- Teaching Intermediate Algebra (MTH 114)
- Teaching HAZMAT training (8, 24 and 40-hour classes)
- Developing and leading summer and weekend programs for elementary school students
- Beginning undergraduate research program with money and support procured from local industry
Senior Analyst
PSI, White Sands Missile Range
01.1992 - 01.1993
- Computer program development for laser detection system
- Maintenance of high-energy laser system
- Management of chemical analysis laboratory and equipment
Senior Systems Analyst
Pentastar Support Services, White Sands Missile Range
01.1988 - 01.1992
- Computer program development for the Army Vulnerability Assessment Laboratory
Senior Systems Analyst
Hughes Aircraft, White Sands Missile Range
01.1987 - 01.1988
- Computer program development and wavefront monitoring for High Energy Laser system
Part-time Adjunct
Mission College
01.1986 - 01.1987
- Teaching General Chemistry I & II, lecture and lab
Part-time Adjunct
Santa Monica College
01.1986 - 01.1987
- Teaching Introductory Astronomy, lecture only
Assistant Professor
California University, Northridge
01.1984 - 01.1987
- Teaching Astronomy, lecture only
- Research with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena on kinetics and mechanisms of reactions in the atmosphere of Titan
Observatory Assistant
Wyoming Infrared Observatory
06.1982 - 01.1984
- Assist, coordinate and evaluate projects for visiting astronomers
Laboratory Analytical Chemist
Peterson-Puritan, Inc.
06.1978 - 07.1979
- Basic laboratory wet chemistry and & spectroscopy
Laboratory Technician
Technic, Inc.
01.1967 - 05.1977
- Various wet chemical analyses & spectroscopy
Post-Doctoral fellow
Washington University in St. Louis
01.1985
- Research on kinetics and mechanisms in the atmospheres of Jupiter, Uranus and Titan
- Development of Fourier Holographic Transform Spectrometer for Halley's Comet fly-by
Graduate Research
University of Wyoming
01.1985
- Ph.D. Dissertation: Physical Chemistry: Picosecond Laser Spectroscopy of Oxy- and Carbon Monoxy- Forms of Natural and Synthetic Hemes
- Additional research: Porphyrins in interstellar gas clouds
Education
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - Occupational Safety and Health
UConn
01.2023
A.S. - Emergency Medical Technology
Eastern New Mexico University
01.1996
Ph.D. - Physical Chemistry, minor Astrophysics
University of Wyoming
01.1985
B.S. - Chemistry, minor Mathematics
University of Rhode Island
01.1978
Skills
- Chemistry education and curriculum design
- Laboratory development and safety
- Distance learning and technical training
- Grant writing and research supervision
- Effective communication and adaptable teaching
- Classroom lectures
Professional Development
Professional Development from University of Connecticut Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL)
Critical Teaching Behaviors Book Club Series: Optional Follow Up
November 14, 2025
Critical Teaching Behaviors Book Club Series: Teaching Narrative
November 7, 2025
Critical Teaching Behaviors Book Club Series: Teaching Narrative
November 7, 2025
Critical Teaching Behaviors Book Club Series: Peer Observation
October 24, 2025
Critical Teaching Behaviors Book Club Series: Reflect & Identify Core Values
October 17, 2025
Critical Teaching Behaviors Book Club Series: Integrate Technology
October 10, 2025
Critical Teaching Behaviors Book Club Series: Assess
October 3, 2025
Critical Teaching Behaviors Book Club Series: Align
September 12, 2025
Teaching with Ultra Course View
July 30, 2025
Getting started with your HuskyCT Ultra course
July 10, 2025
Critical Teaching Behaviors Book Club
January 26, 2024
Roundtable: How can we more inclusively mentor beginner undergraduate researchers?
May 8, 2023
Rubrics: Grade smarter, not harder
November 10, 2021
Giving Feedback
September 1, 2021
Using LockDown Browser and Monitor for Online Tests in HuskyCT
March 18, 2021
W (Writing-Intensive) Teaching Orientation
January 13, 2021
Creating a Positive Distance Learning Course Environment
July 27, 2020
Dealing with Stress in Your Distance Learning Course
July 22, 2020
Making a Good First Impression in Your Distance Learning Course
July 20, 2020
GradeJourney training session
February 20, 2020
W Teaching Orientation
January 16, 2020
DIY Closed Captioning
May 24, 2019
Reaching Under-prepared Students
April 29, 2019
Less Listening, More Active Participation
April 15, 2019
Create Videos for Your Class
April 2, 2019
Assessments & Assignments in HuskyCT
January 30, 2019
NYC ALEKS Chemistry Event
March 7, 2025
Employing ALEKS to support undergraduate students to better navigate chemistry courses
Anna Ivanova (Hostos Community College, CUNY)
Methods to Support Students on Their Journey From Placement to Chemistry courses, Improving Retention and Student Success with ALEKS PPL and Prep
Kristi Mock (University of Toledo)
Developing Your Chemistry Toolkit: The ALEKS Chemistry Development Story
Shirley Hino, Senior Director of Digital Content
Timeline
Assistant Professor in Residence
University of Connecticut
08.2018 - Current
Assistant Professor
NMSU/DACC
01.2012 - 08.2018
Adjunct Instructor
DACC
01.2011 - 12.2011
Co-owner
RESPR, Inc.
01.2003 - 01.2008
Director
The Planetarium at Santa Fe Community College
01.2001 - 01.2002
Assistant Professor
University of the Virgin Islands
01.1997 - 01.2001
Part-time Adjunct
College of the Southwest
01.1995 - 01.1997
Assistant Professor
New Mexico State University, Carlsbad
01.1993 - 01.1997
Senior Analyst
PSI, White Sands Missile Range
01.1992 - 01.1993
Senior Systems Analyst
Pentastar Support Services, White Sands Missile Range
01.1988 - 01.1992
Senior Systems Analyst
Hughes Aircraft, White Sands Missile Range
01.1987 - 01.1988
Part-time Adjunct
Mission College
01.1986 - 01.1987
Part-time Adjunct
Santa Monica College
01.1986 - 01.1987
Post-Doctoral fellow
Washington University in St. Louis
01.1985
Graduate Research
University of Wyoming
01.1985
Assistant Professor
California University, Northridge
01.1984 - 01.1987
Observatory Assistant
Wyoming Infrared Observatory
06.1982 - 01.1984
Laboratory Analytical Chemist
Peterson-Puritan, Inc.
06.1978 - 07.1979
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - Occupational Safety and Health
UConn
A.S. - Emergency Medical Technology
Eastern New Mexico University
Ph.D. - Physical Chemistry, minor Astrophysics
University of Wyoming
B.S. - Chemistry, minor Mathematics
University of Rhode Island
Laboratory Technician
Technic, Inc.
01.1967 - 05.1977