2023 National Board of Directors Election Candidate for Two Year College Representative
Tom Herring (he, him, his)
Current Position:
Professor of Physics and Director - Jack C Davis Observatory, Western Nevada College
2201 West College Parkway, Carson City, NV 89703
thomas.herring@wnc.edu
Education:
PhD Physics, University of Utah 2008
MS Physics, University of Utah 2005
BS Physics, University of Utah 2001
Professional Experience:
Western Nevada College
Director Jack C Davis Observatory 2014 - present
Professor of Physics 2010 - present
Rochester Institute of Technology
Lecturer 2008 - 2009
Utah Valley State College
Adjunct Instructor Aug 2007 – Dec. 2007
Honors and Recognitions:
WNC Presidents Team Award Aug 2019
NSHE Regents Teaching Award 2017
UofU Outstanding Teaching Assistant, Dept. of Physics 2004
Memberships:
Member AAPT 2005 - present
AAPT Activities:
CPTYC Chair 2021 - 2022
CPTYC Vice-Chair 2020 - 2021
Member Committee on Two-Year Colleges 2015 – 2020
Member Physics Bowl Board 2013 – 2020
Graduate of the Two Year College New Faculty Experience July 2013
Other Professional Activities:
NASA Airborne Astronomy Ambassador Cycle 10 2022
Participant NASA Community College Network 2021 - present
Nevada NASA Space Grant Community of Practice Mentor 2016 - present
Candidate Statement:
I joined AAPT as a graduate student at the University of Utah in 2005 during the summer meeting in Salt Lake City, UT. That meeting started the evolution of my teaching style and skills. This evolution accelerated during my first job as a lecturer at RIT in Rochester, NY where I became aware of DBER and pedagogy different from what I had seen as a student and teaching assistant. Upon starting at Western Nevada College, as the lone full-time physics faculty, I became much more active with AAPT and found a much needed support network, especially in the TYC community. Especially since becoming the director of my campus observatory, I have also gained an appreciation for the sometimes difficult and unexciting administrative work that must be done outside of classrooms and labs to support teachers, scholars, students, and the broader community in an effort to learn together effectively. Through AAPT I have been continually exposed to opportunities for professional growth and development as well as a wealth of resources that serve as the backbone of my career success. Recognizing these things as a part of the AAPT strategic plan offers me the chance to support others in advancing professionally and personally by serving as the TYC representative to the board. As a board representative I look forward to engaging with the broader AAPT community to build new and strengthen existing connections between the diverse and often dispersed TYC community and the broader community of scholars, teachers, and students working together as AAPT members. I want to serve on the board not just to give back to the organization which has proven so valuable to me but also to encourage others to contribute to the advancement of the organization by participating in governance and helping to continue AAPT's evolution in meeting the needs of our diverse membership. I take seriously the need to conscientiously and actively listen to all members of AAPT and act on the information to make AAPT not just accessible but comfortable and enjoyable for all members. I welcome the opportunity to help AAPT continue to achieve and adapt to the often surprising changes that come our way and continue to be the trusted hub for physics education resources and advocacy.
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