Dr. Jillian Wendt, an accomplished educator and researcher in STEM education, specializes in science pedagogy, mentoring underrepresented students, and advancing innovative learning strategies, contributing significantly to the field through her scholarship, leadership, and advocacy.
Experience
Education
Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, with High Distinction, Liberty University Education Specialist in Teaching and Learning, with High Distinction, Liberty University Master of Education in Teaching and Learning, with Distinction, Liberty University Bachelor of Science in Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University Associate of Arts and Sciences, Magna Cum Laude, John Tyler Community College
Roles
EdMedia Program Committee, Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education, 2017-Present Institutional Review Board, UDC, 2020-23 Internal Research Council, UDC, 2018-24 Editorial Review Board, Journal of Science Teacher Education, 2015-17; 2019-20 State Science Leadership Team, Office of the State Superintendent of Education, 2018-20 Public Relations and Communications Committee, Association of Teacher Educators, 2017-20 Graduate Council, UDC, 2015-20 Kappa Delta Pi (KDP) International Honor Society Theta Sigma Chapter Counselor, UDC, 2016-19 Editorial Review Board, Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 2015-18 Executive Board Member, Virginia Educational Research Association, 2015-18 Research Awards Committee Chairperson, Virginia Educational Research Association, 2015-18 Chairperson, Institutional Review Board, Virginia International University, 2015 E-Learn Program Committee, Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education, 2014-17 Research Committee, Association of Teacher Educators, 2014-17 Award Committee,Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 2014-15 Liaison, Kappa Delta Pi (KDP) International Honor Society Chapter, Virginia International University, 2014-15 Program Committee, Society for Technology and Teacher Education (SITE) International Conference, 2014-15 Publications Committee, Virginia Educational Research Association, 2014-15
Courses Taught
ECED 105: Principles of Child Development ELED 307: Methods and Materials of Teaching Science in Elementary School ELED 428: Classroom Management in Elementary Schools EDFN 405: Classroom Management for Education Majors EDCI 522: Teaching Science and Social Studies through Inquiry EDTE 501: Practicum I: Observations in Diverse Settings EDTE 520: Scope and Methods of Teaching Physical, Earth, and Space Science EDTE 525: Scope and Methods of Teaching Life, Earth Science, and Chemistry EDTE 530: The Practices of Science EDUC 501: Human Development EDUC 502: Classroom Management and Cases in Effective Urban Teaching EDUC 590: Science Research Seminar
Expertise
Research Focus / Works in Progress
Science education; STEM education; STEM mentoring; online learning; quantitative research and qualitative case study
Lee, D. A., Wendt, J. L., & Barthlow, M. (2024). The effect of epistemic beliefs and emotions on students’ attitudes toward genetically modified foods. School Science and Mathematics, 14(5). https://doi.org/10.1111/ssm.12641
Mason, G., & Wendt, J. L. (2024). The impact of meaningful watershed environmental experiences on the academic outcomes of middle school students. Discover Education, 3(10). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-024-00326-0
Wendt, J. L., & Jones, V. O. (2024). Peer mentors’ experiences in an online STEM peer mentoring program: ‘Beacons of light’. International Journal of Mentoring and Coaching in Education, 13(3), 328-345. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMCE-03-2023-0033
Wendt, J. L., & Jones, V. O. (2024). Supporting BIPOC males in STEM: Insights from a case study on online peer mentoring. Journal of Research in STEM Education, 10(1-2), 89-113.
Rockinson-Szapkiw, A., Wendt, J. L., & Wade-Jaimes, K. (2020). Navigating the peer mentoring relationship: A handbook for women and other underrepresented populations in STEM. Kendall Hunt Publishing Company.
Selected Presentations
Francis, M., Kinloch, V., & Wendt. J. L. (2024). Nurturing excellence: How HBCUs are preparing the next generation of STEM educators. National HBCU Week Conference, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Wendt, J. L. (2021). Legacy of resilience: Belonging in STEM. National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers Conference, Virtual.
Wendt, J. L. (2018). An e-mentorship model for broadening participation in STEM degree programs among undergraduate and graduate students. American Chemical Society (ACS) National Conference, Boston, Massachusetts.
Selected Grants
National Science Foundation. (2024). Employing neo-constructivism transitions through educational robotics into STEM; Building the women STEM workforce. National Science Foundation. (2019). Virtual STEM peer mentorship communities. National Science Foundation. (2017). Empowering minority females in STEM research and leadership.
Recognitions
The Distinguished Research Paper Award, Mentorship and Mentoring Practices Special Interest Group, American Educational Research Association, 2021 Accomplishment in Research/Scholarship Award, College of Arts & Sciences, UDC, 2018 Scholar of Promise Award, College of Arts & Sciences, UDC, 2016
Invited Participations
Francis, M., Kinloch, V., & Wendt. J. L. (2024). Nurturing excellence: How HBCUs are preparing the next generation of STEM educators. National HBCU Week Conference, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Bartee, J., Bruewer, A., Jackson, P., Jowers, S., Miles, A., Pippin, G., Plummer, Y., Wendt, J. L., & Wright, A. (2023). Quality Matters roundtable webinar. University of the District of Columbia, Virtual.
Wendt, J. L. (September 16, 2021). Legacy of resilience: Belonging in STEM. National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCCHE) Conference, Virtual.
Cooke, B., Krauthamer, H., Richards, D., Wendt, J. L., & Wynne, C. (2021). Getting to our best work: Examining our practices and building networks that take our best to scale. A focus on writing. University of the District of Columbia (UDC) College of Arts and Sciences Opening Professional Development Meeting, Washington, D.C.
Wendt, J. L. (July 1, 2021). Research in urban STEM education. Morgan State University MD-CRUSE Summer Methodological Institute, Baltimore, Maryland.
