Sources and Experts

Susan Elrod

	Susan Elrod

Dr. Susan Elrod began as the executive director of Project Kaleidoscope in January 2010. She holds a Ph.D. in Genetics from the University of California-Davis and a B.S. in Biological Sciences from California State University-Chico. At PKAL, she leads national initiatives aimed at advancing what works in undergraduate STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education, facilitates regional and national conferences and workshops, and serves as a consultant to colleges and universities around the country. Building on a rich 20-year history, PKAL’s current initiatives include creating campus frameworks for interdisciplinary STEM learning, working with disciplinary societies to develop programs that better prepare undergraduates for solving 21st century problems, building individual and organizational leadership capacity in STEM higher education, and fostering regional STEM networks that help faculty and institutional leaders implement more effective, learner-centered teaching strategies that improve the learning and success of all students.

Prior to taking the reins of PKAL, Elrod served as associate dean for strategic initiatives in the College of Science and Mathematics at Cal Poly and as the director of Cal Poly’s Center for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Education (CESaME), which is a university-wide, interdisciplinary center that focuses on programs that enhance STEM education. Also at Cal Poly, she has served as chair of the WASC reaccreditation committee, associate chair of the Biological Sciences Department, chair of the Academic Senate Curriculum Committee, and special assistant to the Provost. In 2006-07, she completed an American Council on Education Fellowship at the Colorado College where she studied critical leadership issues regarding integrative models of undergraduate learning and STEM education transformation. Elrod joined the faculty of Biological Sciences at California State University-San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) in 1997 and has taught extensively, conducted scientific and educational research, and published widely. Her National Science Foundation-funded science education work involved the development of case studies for teaching undergraduate genetics and conceptual assessment instruments for measuring core genetics understanding. Her scientific expertise is as a molecular biologist with extensive experience in the biotechnology industry and in conducting research with undergraduates and masters students. Elrod is also a PKAL F21 faculty member.

For more information, Susan's CV can be found here.