Making IMPACT as 150th Anniversary Professor
By Phillip Fiorini
Professor Erica Carlson has transformed one of the most challenging physics courses through the IMPACT program, launched in 2011 to create student-centered learning environments, and she has received multiple awards for outstanding mentorship of students.
The Purdue professor of physics and astronomy can add a new achievement to her résumé — 150th Anniversary Professor — for her passion and dedication to supporting Purdue’s faculty, alumni and students.
IMPACT, which stands for Instruction Matters: Purdue Academic Course Transformation, yields successes in students’ abilities to solve problems, understand concepts and improve critical-thinking skills. In addition, the average D/F/Withdraw (DFW) rates in IMPACT courses have improved to 12-15 percent in 2018 from 25 percent in 2011.
“IMPACT is a great program, which helps faculty get up to speed on the latest research about how to best help our students learn,” Carlson says. “I found I was gushing with new ideas after each session. It really gave me permission to try new things in the classroom.”
IMPACT also provided the resources to develop a video series for Physics 272 as a supplement for the course, she says. Through the videos, students have the freedom to catch up on missed material or review a complex concept.
“I was really excited for the opportunity to record our lecture adventures for Physics 272,” she says.
Carlson was among 10 Purdue faculty members this year to receive the 150th Anniversary Professor designation, which coincides with the upcoming 150th anniversary of Purdue. Each faculty member also received an annual discretionary allocation of $25,000.
“We feel it’s critically important to recognize faculty who have devoted their careers to teaching and learning at the highest levels,” says Jay Akridge, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and diversity. “The 150th Anniversary Professorships help us honor great teachers who inspire us with their talent, dedication and creativity.”
Carlson also is a 2017 recipient of the Charles B. Murphy Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching, and in 2006 she received the College of Science Award for Outstanding Contributions to Undergraduate Teaching by an Assistant Professor.
In addition, her students at the undergraduate and graduate levels awarded her the Ruth and Joel Spira Award for Excellence in Teaching three times. Carlson also launched the first-ever set of physics lectures on iTunes, for which she received media coverage in the Chicago Tribune and Indianapolis Star.
“She has a fantastic ability to develop and implement tools that help students learn a challenging subject,” says chemistry professor and colleague Marcy Towns.