Sandy Balkema, PhD

Sandy Balkema, PhD

Professor
DCCL Dissertation Director and Faculty
English, Literature, and World Languages
Phone: (231) 591-2710
Email: [email protected]

Education

• PhD, University of Michigan, English & Education
• MA, University of Michigan, English & Education
• BA, Calvin College, English

Biography

Profile
Sandy Balkema teaches writing at all levels, from freshman composition to advanced technical writing. Sandy serves as the Dissertation Director for the Ferris State Community College Leadership (DCCL) doctoral program. A senior member and Associate Fellow of the Society for Technical Communication, Sandy has won several teaching awards, including the Teaching Excellence Award and Michigan Association of Governing Boards (MAGB) Award.

Research
Sandy has contracted as a technical writer/editor, instructional designer, and technical trainer for companies across Michigan. She has also served as a judge for various national and international technical communication competitions. She has assisted the University in preparing HLC accreditation reports in 1987, 1993, 2001, 2011, and 2020.

Publications and Intellectual Contributions

• Book Chapter
  Balkema, S. (1998). "Developing a Professional Identity with Journal Reading and Writing: The Advanced Composition Course for Nursing, Social Work, and Pharmacy Students,"
• Book Review
  Balkema, S. (1997). "Nineteenth Century English by Richard W. Bailey,"

Presentations

• Oral Presentation
  Biller, M. (Presenter), Balkema, S. (Presenter), AAWCC National Leadership Conference, "Empowering Women to Develop as Leaders," (November 4, 2022).
• Paper
  Balkema, S. (Presenter), Teahen, R. (Presenter), NISOD, “Defining Leadership Qualities,” Austin, TX, (2018).
• Oral Presentation
  Balkema, S. (Presenter), Fox, S. (Presenter), Tucker, M. (Presenter), Michigan Interscholarstic Press Association, “Journalism Internships,” Lansing, MI, (2018).
• Oral Presentation
  Balkema, S. (Presenter), Fox, S. (Presenter), Corey, J. (Presenter), Michigan Interscholastic Press Association, “Evaluating Peer Writing,” Lansing, MI, (2017).
• Lecture
  Teahen, R. (Presenter), Balkema, S. (Presenter), International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence, "What Community Colleges Need Now in Leaders," National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD), Austin, Texas, (May 29, 2017).
• Presentation
  Balkema, S., "Teaching Collaboration and Project Management Skills," (2002).
• Presentation
  Balkema, S., "Working with Men, Working with Women: How Gender Affects Collaboration, Management, and Writing Style," (2001).
• Presentation
  Balkema, S., "Faculty Renewal: Internships as Professional Development," (2000).