Dr. Michelle L. Hardee recently joined the Center for Teaching Excellence in January of 2012. As the Program Manager for all graduate student Teaching Assistant training at the University, she is involved in developing graduate TA/IA training seminars, developing the GRAD 701 course, as well as helping students progress through the Preparing Future Faculty Program.
Michelle grew up in Texas and received her B.S. in Zoology at Texas A&M in 1995, and a M.S. in Marine Biology at the College of Charleston's Grice Marine Laboratory in 1999. From there she went on to teach marine science and marine geology at Coastal Carolina University, where she designed several laboratory manuals used by the Marine Science department there and implemented a training program for undergraduate teaching assistants in an Introduction to Science course for non-majors. In 2002 she decided to attain her Ph.D. in Marine Science, with advisor Dr. Robert Thunell at the University of South Carolina, during which she authored two Introductory Oceanography lab manuals for undergraduates and was a PI Fellow through the CTE in 2006-2007. After receiving her Ph.D., she took a Postdoctoral Research position in 2008 with Dr. Elisabeth Sikes at Rutgers University in New Jersey, researching alkenone paleothermometry off New Zealand. Prior to joining the CTE, she was an Adjunct Professor of Geology at the College of Charleston, teaching Earth History labs and a Global Change course, as well as mentoring undergraduate research projects.
Throughout her career Michelle has been actively involved in marine science education, including several workshops for middle school teachers, and membership in the South Carolina Marine Educators Association (SCMEA). Michelle enjoys working with students, faculty, and teachers in all aspects of marine science, science education, and teacher training. In her spare time she can be found hiking local trails with her black Labrador, Stella, and designing beadwork jewelry.
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