Helen M. Grady, Ed.D.

Summary

• Fifteen years' experience designing, developing, and teaching undergraduate and graduate classes
• Founded the Center for Excellence in Engineering Education (CE3); pivotal role in planning the University-wide instructional technology center
• Author of articles and book chapter on technical communication, instructional design, and distance education strategies, and frequest presenter on a range of technical communication topics at local, national, and international conferences
• Experience with design and delivery of web-based training and instruction
• Twelve years' experience managing multiple projects, personnel, and budgets
• Familiarity with a wide range of computer hardware and software
• Experienced in long-range planning and acquisition of computer systems

Education

Ed.D., 2000, Instructional Design and Distance Education, Nova Southeastern University
M.A., Biology, 1979, Queen's College, City University of New York
B.Sc.(Hons.), Biology, 1976, Queens University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

Work Experience

Mercer University, School of Engineering
Dept. of Technical Communication
Macon, GA

Director, Master of Science in Technical Communication Management, 2004-present
Graduate Fellow

• Teach online graduate courses offered entirely by interactive distance learning
• Oversee operations of MSTCO program, including admissions and advising
• Coordinate technical support services for distance learning
• Plan and implement recruiting and marketing activities
• Lead on-going quality improvement of MSTCO degree
• Lead periodic assessments and reviews
• Serve as ex-officio member of School of Engineering Graduate Committee

Director, Center for Excellence in Engineering Education, 2000-2004

• Founded Center for Excellence in Engineering Education (CE3) to assist faculty in enhancing teaching scholarship and web-based instruction
• Designed and delivered faculty training workshops on topics such as the scholarship of teaching, teaching with technology, web-based instructional units, learning theories, teaching strategies, and assessment issues
• Designed and created content for CE3 web site
• Wrote award winning electronic newsletters about School of Engineering activities
• Managed projects to incorporate technology into classroom, such as online calculus modules and course home page templates
• Managed technology support provided to faculty, students, and staff, such as engineering scholarship showcase and engineering honors web sites, and faculty home page and WebCT templates
• Designed and equipped Instructional Technology Laboratory
• Trained instructional technology assistants
• Facilitated bimonthly faculty roundtable discussions of teaching related issues(Lunch Bytes)

Associate Professor, 2001-present
Assistant Professor, 1991-2001

• Teach undergraduate courses in technical communication and engineering.
• Teach graduate courses in technical communication via distance education
• Responsible for creating nine new undergraduate courses: Instructional Design, Instructional Technology Applications, Professional Practices in Engineering, Technical Editing, Introduction to Technical Communication, Introduction to Engineering, Reports and Proposals, Communication in Management, and Communication in Hi-Tech Environments.
• Responsible for creating one new graduate course, Instructional Design.
• Course director for multiple sections of Technical Communication and Professional Practices in Engineering.
• Faculty advisor and instructor in Engineering Honors Program.
• Significant responsibilities in restructuring engineering core curriculum, including service as Chair of the Freshman Engineering Focus Group and Freshman Engineering Sequence Curriculum Committee. Active participant in ABET accreditation process.
• Faculty advisor to freshman and sophomore engineering and technical communication students, Student Chapter of Society for Technical Communication (1995-1999), and Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority (1995-present). Thesis advisor for three honors students.

Northrop Corporation, Environmental Sciences
Research Triangle Park, NC
Manager, Information Systems, 1986-90

• Managed a 24-person publications and communications staff.
• Responsible for growth of department from 8 to 24 persons.
• Directed the design, preparation, and production of proposals, technical reports and manuals, brochures, slides, posters, and marketing materials.
• Created and delivered training courses to scientists and engineers in effective oral and written communication.
• Performed computer utilization study and established computer management organization to coordinate computer purchases and provide programming services.
• Performed long-range planning for acquisition and integration of company-wide computers.
• Established and managed personnel and equipment budgets in excess of $1 million/year. Served as senior reviewer of company proposals.

Manager, Technical Publications (1982-86)

• Coordinated overall schedules of 5 departments: editing, word processing, graphics, xerography, and photography. Set priorities and deadlines for work.
• Automated and upgraded publication process through purchase of state-of-the-art publishing equipment.
• Final authority on layout/design/production decisions.
• Established publications standards for quality of all printed and visual material in compliance with customer and company guidelines.
• Executive editor of company newsletter.
• Developed policies and procedures governing publications activities to ensure production of quality projects as scheduled and within budget.

Senior Technical Editor/Writer (1981-82)

• Edited proposals, reports, journal articles, and grants dealing with a number of scientific and engineering disciplines.
• Coordinated publication schedules to meet due dates.

• Analyzed various media (air, water, soil, and tissue) for chemicals of environmental interest.
• Performed automated testing for soil contaminants using Kjeldahl and Technicon apparatus.
• Experienced with extraction of organic compounds from water and soil.
• Familiar with OHSA and EPA requirements for handling and disposal of hazardous materials.

• Lecturer and laboratory instructor in comparative anatomy

Awards

Emily K. Schlesinger Award, IEEE PCS, for outstanding service, 2006
Jay R. Gould Award, STC, for teaching excellence, 2006
Associate Fellow, STC, 2006
Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, 2006
APEX Award for Publication Excellence - Newsletter writing, 2004
Vulcan Award for Teaching Excellence, 2004
Governor's Teaching Fellow, 2002
Continuing Excellence in Teaching, 2000, STC Student Chapter
Outstanding Freshman Engineering Advisor, 1998
Order of Omega, 1997
STC Region 3 Director/Sponsor Award, 1997
STC Student Chapter Pacesetter Award, 1996

Grants

Mercer University Scholarship on the Web - Provost Incentive Grant, $19,500
Pilot Project to Integrate Technology in Calculus Laboratories - Center for Teaching and Learning, $6,000
Introducing Real-World Issues into an Introduction to Environmental Engineering Lab - Center for Teaching and Learning, $8,000

Professional Affiliations

Society for Technical Communication (associate fellow)
STC Education and Research Professional Interest Committee
IEEE Professional Communication Society (senior member)
American Society for Engineering Education
American Association of University Women

Consulting

Boeing
Cingular Wireless
Ikon
Sonoco

Courses Taught

EGR 101, Methods of Engineering I
EGR 101, Freshman Engineering Honors
EGR 102, Methods of Engineering II
EGR 103, Methods of Engineering III
EGR 105, Introduction to Engineering
EGR 108, Professional Practices
EGR 201, Sophomore Engineering Honors
EGR 298, Engineering Seminar
UNV 101, Freshman Experience
TCO 280, Introduction to Technical Communication
TCO 341, Technical Communication
TCO 345, Communication in Management
TCO 351, Reports and Proposals
TCO 363, Instructional Design
TCO 421, Technical Editing
TCO 476, Communication in Hi-Tech Environments
TCO 491, Instructional Technology and Systems Design
TCO 491, Instructional Technology Applications
TCO 630, Managing People and Projects
TCO 632, Knowledge Management
TCO 660, Information Design
TCO 665, Instructional Design
TCO 685, Project Research
TCO 691, Instructional Technology
BIO 615, Comparative Anatomy
BIO 615L, Comparative Anatomy Laboratory

Committee Memberships

2005-2006
University Graduate Curriculum Committee
Graduate Council
Scholarship and Academic Standards Committee
Freshman Engineering Task Force
Advisory Committee, IEEE PCS

2004-2005
School of Engineering Assessment Committee
University Center for Teaching and Learning Advisory Board
Search Committee, full or associate technical communication faculty
Program Chair, IEEE IPCC 2005, Limerick, Ireland

2003-2004
University House of Delegates
University Technology Committee
University Center for Teaching and Learning Advisory Board
School of Engineering Assessment Committee
Search Committee, Senior Associate Dean, School of Engineering
Program Committee, IPCC 2004

2002-2003
University House of Delegates
University Technology Committee
University Distance Learning Advisory Board
University Center for Teaching and Learning Advisory Board
University Publications Board
Promotion and Tenure Committee
School of Engineering Technology Committee, Chair

2001-2002
University Distance Learning Advisory Board
University Center for Teaching and Learning Advisory Board
University Publications Board
Promotion and Tenure Committee
Faculty Outcome Assessment Team 5, Chair
Equipment Committee

2000-2001
University Distance Learning Advisory Board
University Instructional Technology Advisory Board
University Searchlight Committee
Faculty Outcome Assessment Team 5, Chair
Curriculum Committee, Chair
Equipment Committee

1999-2000
University Instructional Technology Task Force
Laptop Initiative Committee
Curriculum Committee
Scholarship and Academic Standing
Committee on Committees

1998-1999
University Distance Learning Task Force
Ad Hoc Freshman Committee, Chair
Scholarship and Academic Standing Committee
Committee on Committees

1997-1998
University House of Delegates
Professional Practices Curriculum Development Group, chair
Equipment Committee
Scholarship and Academic Standing
Committee on Committees

1996-1997
University House of Delegates
Acting Chair, Dept. of Technical Communication
Freshman Engineering Sequence Curriculum Development Group, chair
Equipment Committee
Semester Transition Committee
Committee on Committees

1995-1996
University Co-curricular Task Force
Freshman Experience Focus Group, Chair
Equipment Committee
Research Grants and Proposals Committee

1994-1995
University CLA/SBE Liaison Committee, Humanities and Social Sciences, Chair
Core and Curriculum Committee
Network and Computer Resources Committee
Research Grants and Proposals Committee

1993-1994
University CLA/SBE Liaison Committee
Core and Curriculum Committee

1989-1990
Northrop Computer Steering Committee, Chair
Northrop Management Training Committee

1988-1989
Northrop Computer Steering Committee, Chair
Northrop Management Club, President
Northrop Management Training Committee, Chair

1987-1988
Northrop Computer Steering Committee, Founder
Northrop Management Club, President
Northrop Management Training Committee, Chair

1986-1987
Northrop Management Club, President
Northrop Management Training Committee,

1985-1986
Northrop Management Club, Vice President
Northrop Management Training Committee

1984-1985
Northrop Management Club, Vice President

1983-1984
Northrop Management Club, Treasurer

1980-1981
NC Department of Natural Resource, Safety Committee

Other Activities

Board of Directors, Nutcracker Ballet
Judge, Bibb County Science Fairs
Docent, Museum of Arts and Science
Volunteer, Union Elementary School
Volunteer, Macon Waves
Volunteer, Park Montessori School

Last updated by HMG on January 5, 2007