Student Testimonials

Melissa McCracken was in the 2017 cohort of the GCCUT program. She completed the GCCUT program in 2018 and graduated from OSU with a Ph.D. in Geography in 2019. She is currently an Assistant Professor of International Environmental Policy at Tufts University.

Q&A with Melissa McCracken

Please briefly describe your new position and responsibilities at your job.

"I am still amazed by the practicality and relevance of the GCCUT curriculum; it's designed and balanced so intentionally. It provided me with solid tools and a foundational theoretical knowledge, all the while inspiring a deep appreciation for the nuances and stoking a sense of wonder in the power of education. "

Stephanie completed the GCCUT program in 2018 and graduated from OSU with an M.S. in Water Resource Engineering in 2018. She is currently a Program Coordinator and Student Services Advisor at the University of California, Berkeley.

Lauren DiCarlo was in the 2015 cohort of the GCCUT program. She completed the GCCUT program in 2016 and graduated from OSU with a Ph.D. in Fisheries and Wildlife in 2018. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Environmental Science at Westfield State University. 

"I became close friends with some GCCUT students, all of which have continued on or will be continuing to jobs in higher education. GCCUT was a community that gave me the opportunity to think deeply about my teaching, both practically and theoretically, and was a great support when I would struggle with graduate student stress or insecurities."

Christina completed the GCCUT program in 2016 and graduated from OSU with a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering in 2017. She is currently the Assistant Director for Undergraduate Instructional Development at Brown University.

"This program is more than a credential - it provides you with skills you can bring into your classroom. The group of students in front of you is constantly changing, and you need to be able to respond to that. GCCUT gives you the skills to assess your classroom and determine a plan for how to proceed."

Emerald Stacy completed the GCCUT program in 2016 and graduated from OSU with a Ph.D. in Mathematics in 2018. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Washington College.

"The coursework I had led up to me having a clear, high quality portfolio and doing well in job interviews because I knew what I was talking about and was confident."

Tim Ottusch completed the GCCUT program in 2016 and graduated from OSU with a Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies in 2017. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Practice at the University of Arizona.

"Our GCCUT cohort was incredibly diverse in discipline, and this diversity brought in a wealth of new perspectives and learning to challenge my own perspective from student affairs. When we addressed systemic issues, trends, and challenges in higher education, my perspectives were both challenged and reinforced through our conversations."

Erin Wahler completed the GCCUT program in 2018 and earned her Ed.M. in College Student Services Administration in 2018. She is currently an Academic Advisor at Miami University.

"I'm currently waiting for news from a tenure track position interview, and they were definitely impressed by the certificate and I totally credit it with my getting an interview!"

Lauren Brooks completed the GCCUT program in 2015 and graduated from OSU with a PhD in Microbiology in 2016. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Biology at Utah Valley University.

"I know that because I took those classes, I felt like I had a much better vocabulary and understanding of teaching pedagogy. This literacy definitely helped me throughout the interview process because I felt like I could talk about teaching in a much more advanced way."

Allyson Jackson completed the GCCUT program in 2015 and graduated from OSU with a PhD in Wildlife Sciences in 2017. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies at State University of New York (SUNY) Purchase College.

"Not only do you achieve the learning outcomes set-forth in the GCCUT program, you gain an amazing support system and cohort that remain with you long after you have completed the program."

Sahar Zavareh completed the GCCUT program in 2015 and earned her MS in Geography and the Water Conflict Management and Transformation Certificate in 2015. After completing her program at OSU she enrolled in the PhD program for Economic Geography at LMU Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (University of Munich).

"GCCUT is a unique opportunity to learn about and think about teaching before you're land a full load teaching position-- it gives you time (and guidance!) to work through the major challenges and considerations, a luxury that often won't exist when you get that first position!"

April completed the GCCUT program in 2014 and is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia. 

“The GCCUT program was a tremendous experience for opening my eyes to the rich diversity within our postsecondary classrooms and how we, as educators, can use these diverse perspectives to encourage growth and development among all students.”

Aaron completed the GCCUT program in 2015 and is an Assistant Professor in Sustainable Communities at Michigan State University. 

"The hiring committee was very excited about hiring someone with an education in teaching besides the classic veterinary specialty education. I think that the fact that none of the other candidates had a teaching education background helped in this choice."

Chiara completed the GCCUT program in 2016 and is currently an Assistant Professor in Veterinary Anesthesiology at Louisiana State University, School of Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Jeremy Hoffman graduated from OSU with a Ph.D. from the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences (CEOAS) studying geology and geophysics as well as a member of the 2014 GCCUT cohort. Since June 2023, Jeremy is the Director of Climate Justice and Impact at Groundwork USA, establishing science-based metrics for project outcomes across climate and workforce development programs.

Jeremy was also a recipient of the Graduate School's 2011-2012 Provost’s Distinguished Graduate Fellowship.

"I like that the program provides a platform where I can begin to think more broadly and inclusively about how my teaching philosophy is related to my role as a health practitioner."

Jafra completed the GCCUT program in 2016 and is currently working on his PhD in Kinesiology.

This program gives Kevin the tools he needs to succeed in the classroom, but he also sees his work moving beyond this space.

"The teaching experience and course development experience I gained during the GCCUT program helped me to discuss the responsibilities of a faculty member with much more confidence during my interviews. Additionally, having syllabi that I had produced as a part of the GCCUT program to show during my interviews impressed the committees I was meeting with."

Matt completed the GCCUT program in 2014 and earned his PhD from the School of Civil and Construction Engineering in 2015. He is now an Assistant Professor for the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

"During one of my conversations, with another colleague who is currently teaching courses, they literally stopped and got a pen and paper to write down my experiences and some of the strategies that I learned and use in classes to create positive, inclusive, and fun learning environments. They were so excited to hear about what I had learned and done and could not wait to try some of the strategies in their class! I realized then how much GCCUT prepared me and how crucial it is for professional development."

Elba completed the GCCUT program in 2014 and earned her MPH from the College of Health in 2014. After completing her program at OSU she enrolled in the PhD program for multicultural education at the University of Washington.

"The GCCUT program was a wonderful way to develop a broad understanding of current issues within the current academic landscape, as well as the underlying philosophies inherent to many teaching methods which are commonly used today. As a graduate student with no previous formal training in education , this experience was instrumental in affecting my approach to many aspects of my own teaching, including the instructional methods which I'd like to employ in future academic settings."

Jeff completed the GCCUT program in 2015 and is a doctoral candidate in the Pharmacology program.