Originally from Missouri, Catherine holds a B.S. and M.S. in Chemistry from Missouri State University. She has worked in the educational field for more than 20 years as a tutor, mentor, and faculty. After working six years in the environmental field, Catherine decided to re-enter the educational profession full-time and accepted a position as a chemistry faculty at Riverland Community College, where she currently teaches.
During her time in Austin, Catherine has served multiple organizations and committees, including Austin Aspires, the Pillars of the Community, the AAUW, the Hormel Institute Community Advisory Board, the Austin Area Foundation Board of Directors, and as the chair of the Academic Affairs and Standards Council at Riverland Community College. In addition, Catherine was honored by the Rotary Club International, Austin, MN Chapter as Educator of the year in 2015 and by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees as an Outstanding Educator in 2020 and 2022.
Catherine began volunteering as a judge for the local science fair shortly after arriving in Minnesota and noticed students needed assistance with their projects. As a result, she founded The Science Fair Mentoring Project in 2014, a 501(c)(3) organization, to help address barriers students experience in participating in the science fair. Catherine is a change agent with a passion for education and makes science education accessible and engaging for all learners.
Chemistry, youth science education (Pre-K to 5th grade), science fair mentoring and student support (3rd grade to 6th grade), curriculum development, student assessment, class design (online, hybrid, and face-to-face delivery modes), grant writing, technical writing, culturally responsive pedagogy, chemical storage and disposal, and community partnerships for education.
American Chemical Society, member, 2003-2009; 2011-present
National Science Teachers Association, member, 2013-present
American Association of University Women (AAUW) Member, 2013-present
Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Science Fair Mentoring Project, Inc, 2014-present - Volunteered more than 1,400 hours and awarded more than $80,000 in grant funding for this program.
Hormel Institute Community Advisory Board Member, 2021-present
Austin Area Foundation Board Member, 2022 - present
Pillars of the City Committee, member, 2019-2021
Austin Aspires Academic Potential Action Team, 2015-2018
Science Fair Special Award Organizer, 2014-2018
Science Fair Judge for Austin Public Schools, 2011-2018
Outstanding Educator Award 2022, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees
Outstanding Educator Award 2020, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees
TEDx Horace Park Speaker 2015 - The Power of a Hypothesis, https://youtu.be/aL2UHk9sXcw
Educator of the Year, 2015, Rotary Club International, Austin, MN Chapter
The Vernon J. Thielmann Professional Chemistry Award, 2005
Academic Affairs and Standards Council (AASC), Member 2020-21, Chair 2021-present
Riverland Assessment Committee, member, 2020-present
Faculty Shared Governance, faculty representative, 2013-2015, 2019-2020
Riverland President's Cabinet, faculty representative, 2015-17
Catherine loves to read, cycle, cross-country ski, snowshoe, hike, and spend time in nature. She travels as much as possible and loves to experience new cultures and ways of living and see the many wonderful landscapes of the world. Travel helps Catherine broaden her understanding of the world and the students she serves.