Developmental Programs and Curriculum

PROFESSOR JOAN TOTTEN
Department Head, Developmental Programs/Curriculum
Office Location: ASC 1037
Office Phone: (231) 591-2807
Email: tottenj@ferris.edu

CURRICULUM VITAE

Education:

National Center for Developmental Education Specialist Certification, April 1999, Kellogg Institute, Appalachian State University – Intensive Study in Assessment and Placement, Teaching and Learning, Academic Support Services, and Program Evaluation.

Practicum – Designed Course in Overcoming Math Anxiety.

M.A. in Vocational Education, Emphasis in Curriculum Development, November 1983, Michigan State University.

Thesis Title: "Will Placement in Small Homogeneous Lecture-Discussion Classes in Fundamentals of College Algebra Help Low Achieving Students Maintain Their Grades in Future Math Courses?"

B.S. in Mathematics Education, November 1973, Ferris State University.
Earned Letter in Women’s Intercollegiate Softball, 1973.

Work Experience:
June 2000 – present: Department Head, Developmental Programs and Curriculum, University College, Ferris State University.

Responsibilities: Supervise University College academic affairs; coordinate faculty assignments; schedule University College classes; Department Head for Career Exploration, University College Program, and Directed Studies programs; supervise FSUS and New Student Advising coordinator; supervise Structured Learning Assistance coordinator; oversee five department budgets including DP& Curriculum, Carl Perkins Special Populations ($130,000 grant), 4-S Grant ($110,000, supplemental funding for Collaborative Learning and Structured classes); Admissions Committee for University College Program admissions (previously Collegiate Skills); serve on University College Appeals Committee; assist in training of faculty and facilitators for Structured Learning Assistance program; assist in University College orientation/registration; and advise numerous students.
March 1998-2000: Coordinator of Developmental Programs and Curriculum, University College, Ferris State University.
January 1997 – March 1998: Coordinator, Educational and Career Counselors, University College, Ferris State University.

Responsibilities: Supervised Educational Counselors in Collegiate Skills, Career Exploration, Minority Retention, and Special Needs programs. Represented University College in Assistant/Associate Deans Council; served on Collegiate Skills Admissions Committee; assigned University College advisors; participated in recruitment activities; and managed Educational and Career Counseling budget.
August 1983 – January 1997: Educational Counselor/Associate Professor, College of Allied Health Sciences, Ferris State University.

Responsibilities: Worked in all areas of student records; academic and vocational counseling, curriculum changes, transcript evaluations (including military and foreign), assisted with organization and supervision of registration and summer pre-registration, probationary and denial decision making and counseling, assessment of prior learning for credit, on and off-campus advising for External Degree programs, advising training for new faculty, graduation pre-clearance, and communication with all campus departments. Worked closely with Program Directors, especially with External Degree programs. Faculty advisor for all Health Care Systems Management (HCSA) and Industrial and Environmental Health admissions counselor for HCSA, IEHM, and Nursing Bachelor of Science programs.
Fall 1983 – present: Adjunct Faculty for ten years, overload assignments in Pre-Algebra, Trigonometry and Fundamentals of Algebra, Ferris State University.

Responsibilities: Worked with all aspect of student records, probationary and denial recommendations, transcript evaluations, curriculum changes, graduation clearance, and supervision of registration and summer orientation pre-registration of 1,300 students each summer.
June 1983 – December 1983: Academic Counseling Assistant, College of Business, Ferris State University.

Counseled and advised students.
June 1959 – February 1961: Head Secretary, Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research, The University of Michigan.
February 1958 – June 1959: Secretary, Social Services Dept., Starr Commonwealth for Boys, Albion, MI.

University Related and Professional Activities:

  • Chair, NCA Subcommittee, Criterion Two, part g, 1999 – present.
  • Member, Michigan Department of Education Developmental Education Research Committee, 1999 – present.
  • Member, FSU Grant Review Committee, 1999 – present.
  • Board Member, Four-Year Institution At-Large Representative, Michigan Developmental Education Consortium 1999 – present.
  • Member, FSU Admission Criteria Committee, 1998 – 1999.
  • Member, FSU Academic Senate Student Life Committee 1998 – 1999.
  • Member, FSU University Registration Committee, 1997 – 1998.
  • Member, Students with Disabilities Liaison Committee, 1997 – 1998.
  • Member, Vice President for Academic Affairs Search Committee, FSU, November 1997 – March 1998.
  • Member, Academic Program Review Committee, FSU, 1996-98.
  • Member, FSU President’s Leadership Council, 1996.
  • Member, Educational Counseling Center Task Force, December 1993 – December 1996, FSU.
  • Senator, Academic Senate, 1989 – 1996, FSU.
  • Member, Student Fees Committee, 1996 – 1998. Liaison, Academic Senate Governance Committee to Summer Semester Committee, FSU.
  • Advisor, Health Occupations Student of America, FSU chapter, 1995.
  • Member, Institutional Review Committee, (Senate appointed), 1992-93.
  • Member, Senate Elections Committee, 1991-93.
  • Member, committee to assist Senate Vice President in appointing faculty members to University-Wide Senate Committees, 1992.
  • Senate Representative, University Curriculum Committee, 1990-93.
  • Chair, Semester Transition Sub-committee, Program Hearings, 1992.
  • Member, Semester Transition Team, 1991 to conclusion.
  • Member, University Student Health Advisory, 1991-92.
  • Member, Student Academic Affairs Council, 1990-96.
  • Member, University Arts and Lectures Committee, 1993-96.
  • Facilitator, New Student Convocation, Community-Building, September 1992.
  • Member, Campus Safety Council chaired by Vice President of Student Affairs, 1992-96.
  • Member, Student Information System (SIS) Implementation Task Force, representing Student Academic Affairs, 1991 to conclusion.
  • Member, Tech Prep Committee, partnership program between MOISD and FSU, 1992-96.
  • Co-founder, member, and past president, Michigan Coalition for the Advancement of Health Careers, 1991-93.
  • Member, Task Force to produce Michigan Health Careers Manual, Michigan Health Council, 1992-96.
  • Co-organizer, HCOP Region 6 Conference held at FSU, 1990.
  • Event judge, HCOP State Conference, 1990-92, 1994. Representative for Allied Health Sciences for selection of FSU Southeast Michigan Regional Director of Off-Campus Program, 1990.
  • Member, Student Conduct and Disciplinary Action Revision Committee as charged by the Board of Trustees, 1990-91.
  • Coordinator, Education Counselors Counseling Unit (ECCU), 1989-91, co-organizer, 1985.
  • Co-organizer, Math + Science + Girls = Choices Conference, 1989; assisted with subsequent conferences. Panel Member, Math + Science + Girls = Choices Conference , 1993, 1995, and 1997.
  • Member, Semester Feasibility Task Force, 1989.
  • Member, selection committee, Michigan Association of Governing Board’s Award, 1998 and 1999.
  • Member, Touch-Tone Telephone Registration Task Force, 1988.
  • Presenter, Women’s Issues Conference sponsored by the Mecosta County Council for Humanities, 1988.
  • Participant, FSU Campus Suicide Prevention Workshop, 1988.
  • Presenter, College of Allied Health Sciences Dental Assisting Graduate Alumni Speaker’s Bureau, 1988.
  • Presenter, Study Skills Workshop entitled, “How Do I learn What I have to Learn?” College of Allied Health Sciences, 1987.
  • Chair, Ferris Professional Women committee to select candidate for Mecosta County Woman of the Year, 1987, 1994, and 1995.
  • Member, College of Allied Health Science Recruitment Committee, 1986-91.
  • Moderator, Job Search Skills workshop, “Job Success Strategies for Graduates,” sponsored by FSU Placement Office, 1985 and 1986.
  • Advisor, Phi Gamma Nu College of Business fraternity at FSU, 1983-86.
  • Member, FSU Student/Faculty Athletic Advisory, 1983-86.
  • Member, search committees: College of Business Associate Dean; College of Allied Health Sciences HCOP Program Director, College of Allied Health Sciences RN to BSN Program Director.
  • Member, Ferris Professional Women, FSU, 1985 – present.
    Secretary, 1985-87, President 1995.
    Named “Woman of the Year,” 1993.
  • Member, Non-traditional Student Task Force, 1981-83.

Professional Development:

  • Participant, panel member and co-presenter, TRENDS Conference, October, 1999.
  • Participant, National Academic Advising Association (NACADA), Week-long Summer Institute, 1997.
  • Attended NACADA annual conference, 1997.
  • Attended Michigan Disabilities Association (MDA) annual conference, 1997.
  • Attended College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA) annual conference, 1998.
  • Attended Michigan Developmental Education Consortium (MDEC) annual conference, 1999.
  • Attended National Developmental Education (NADE) annual conference, 1998 and 1999.
  • Attended First-Year Experience annual conference, 1999.
  • Attended TRENDS annual conference, 1998 and 1999.

Professional Memberships:

  • National Association of Developmental Education (NADE), 1998 to present.
  • Michigan Occupations Special Populations Association (MOSPA), 1999 – present.
  • College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA), 1998 to present.
  • Michigan Developmental Education Council (MDEC), 1998 to present.
  • National Academic Advising Association (NACADA), 1997 to present. Attended NACADA Summer Academic Advising Institute, June 1997.
  • Learning Disabilities Association (LDA), of Michigan, 1997 to present.
  • Michigan Coalition for the Advancement of Health Careers (president, 1991-92).
  • Michigan Health Council, 1994-96.
  • Michigan Teachers of Mathematics (MCTM), 1973-1983.

Community Service:

  • Team Member, Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity, Michigan, 1998 Honduras Mission.
  • Member, General Federation of Women’s Club-Big Rapids, and second vice president, 1991-93.
  • Selected "Mrs. Federation, 1992;" Education Department chair, 1991-92.
  • Production Assistant in production of "United by the Lives We Touch" United Way campaign video used by Mecosta and Osceola counties, 1990-91.
  • Chancel Choir director, First United Methodist Church, Big Rapids, MI, 1987-91. Choir member 1987-1998.
  • Worship Committee member, First United Methodist Church, Big Rapids, MI, 1993-94.
  • Co-organizer and member, Big Rapids Band Boosters, 1977.
  • Den Mother, Cub Scouts of America, 1971.
  • Participant, community softball and volleyball teams, several years.
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