Jackie Witzke
Previous Degrees Obtained
BA in English, Michigan State University; MEd in Educational Administration and Supervision, Arizona State University
Research Topic
Citizen science as a tool for experiential learning and bee conservation
-bee-focused Citizen science projects on the college campus
Jackie is a first-year composition instructor at Glendale Community College in Glendale, Arizona who has been teaching English for sixteen years. She is originally from Michigan and moved to Arizona after graduating from MSU. She started her career teaching middle and high school while pursing her MEd from ASU. After learning that GCC is a certified Bee Campus, Jackie was eager to learn more about bees and their plight. She came across an MSU-sponsored citizen science project and determined she could implement a similar project on her own campus, ultimately uncovering its power in experiential learning and pollinator conservation.
Q&A
I was excited to discover a PhD program that aligned with my passions and could be completed remotely while working full time.
The unwavering support of colleagues!
My greatest challenge has been imposter syndrome. I have overcome this by trusting the process and educating others on what I have researched and learned.
I have been English faculty for many years and am tenured on my campus. I enjoy my job, but would be interested in teaching in a new subject area or transitioning into a leadership role in higher education. I have also been running a nonprofit (my sons’ Little League) for several years and have found great joy and success in that space; nonprofit leadership is also a path I would like to consider when I finish my PhD.
I have always been an artist and especially like to draw and paint. I am an avid reader and enjoy as much time in nature as I can. I have been following a plant-based diet for over a decade and love to cook from scratch.
Select a research subject for which you have passion, one that will enrich your life outside of academia.