The UNT College of Science is pleased to welcome Dr. Michelle Herridge to the chemistry department as a Visiting Assistant Professor this semester, where she will be teaching introductory/general chemistry.

 

“This foundational course can set students up for success, regardless of their major, and offers an opportunity for students to really work on their science skills,” she said. “Having worked across STEM disciplines, I hope that I'll be able to better connect a variety of courses that students may be concurrently enrolled in, helping them to identify transferable skills and knowledge.” 

 

Dr. Herridge was previously the Assistant Director in STEM Education with the Academy for Teaching and Learning at Baylor University. She is also the chair of the Early Career Chemistry Education Scholars (ECCES) Committee with the Division of Chemical Education in the American Chemical Society and Associate Editor at The Chemical Educator. 

 

“Spending the last five years in a center for teaching and learning, I've learned a lot about effective pedagogy, supporting faculty, and evidence-based practices,” she said. “I'm excited to translate this into practice at UNT and really interact with students in a meaningful way.” 

 

Dr. Herridge works in Chemistry Education Research, studying how teachers and students talk to each other and how chemistry can be made more accessible to more students. 

 

"I'm so excited to be working with great people at UNT who do Chemistry Education Research and be a part of helping faculty make connections that support learning and scientific literacy,” said Dr. Herridge, who received her Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Arizona. 

 

In addition to teaching chemistry, Dr. Herridge is also a yoga instructor of four years who completed her training in India. Her advice for her students is to embrace every experience as an opportunity for learning and growth!  

 

“Even when things don't go as planned or as expected, there's still something to be gained, and the next opportunity is just around the corner,” she said.