Employee Information
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Catherine Haslag
Phone: 507-433-0831E-mail: Catherine.Haslag@riverland.edu
Department: Chemistry
Job Title: Faculty
Austin Campus: West Building B204 Â Â Â Â Â
ÃÛÌÒTV Catherine
Originally from Missouri, Catherine holds a B.S. and M.S. in Chemistry from Missouri State University. She has worked in the educational field for more than 20 years as a tutor, mentor, and faculty. After working six years in the environmental field, Catherine decided to re-enter the educational profession full-time and accepted a position as a chemistry faculty at Riverland Community College, where she currently teaches.
During her time in Austin, Catherine has served multiple organizations and committees, including Austin Aspires, the Pillars of the Community, the AAUW, the Hormel Institute Community Advisory Board, the Austin Area Foundation Board of Directors, and as the chair of the Academic Affairs and Standards Council at Riverland Community College. In addition, Catherine was honored by the Rotary Club International, Austin, MN Chapter as Educator of the year in 2015 and by the ÃÛÌÒTV State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees as an Outstanding Educator in 2020 and 2022.
Catherine began volunteering as a judge for the local science fair shortly after arriving in ÃÛÌÒTV and noticed students needed assistance with their projects. As a result, she founded The Science Fair Mentoring Project in 2014, a 501(c)(3) organization, to help address barriers students experience in participating in the science fair. Catherine is a change agent with a passion for education and makes science education accessible and engaging for all learners.
Area(s) of Expertise
Chemistry, youth science education (Pre-K to 5th grade), science fair mentoring and student support (3rd grade to 6th grade), curriculum development, student assessment, class design (online, hybrid, and face-to-face delivery modes), grant writing, technical writing, culturally responsive pedagogy, chemical storage and disposal, and community partnerships for education.
Professional Associations
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American Chemical Society, member, 2003-2009; 2011-present
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National Science Teachers Association, member, 2013-present
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American Association of University Women (AAUW) Member, 2013-present
Volunteer and Community Service Activities
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Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Science Fair Mentoring Project, Inc, 2014-present - Volunteered more than 1,400 hours and awarded more than $80,000 in grant funding for this program.
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Hormel Institute Community Advisory Board Member, 2021-present
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Austin Area Foundation Board Member, 2022 - present
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Pillars of the City Committee, member, 2019-2021
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Austin Aspires Academic Potential Action Team, 2015-2018
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Science Fair Special Award Organizer, 2014-2018
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Science Fair Judge for Austin Public Schools, 2011-2018
Awards and Honors
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Outstanding Educator Award 2022, ÃÛÌÒTV State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees
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Outstanding Educator Award 2020, ÃÛÌÒTV State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees
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TEDx Horace Park Speaker 2015 - The Power of a Hypothesis,
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Educator of the Year, 2015, Rotary Club International, Austin, MN Chapter
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The Vernon J. Thielmann Professional Chemistry Award, 2005
Student Instructional Activities
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Academic Affairs and Standards Council (AASC), Member 2020-21, Chair 2021-present
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Riverland Assessment Committee, member, 2020-present
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Faculty Shared Governance, faculty representative, 2013-2015, 2019-2020
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Riverland ÃÛÌÒTV's Cabinet, faculty representative, 2015-17
More about Catherine Haslag
Catherine loves to read, cycle, cross-country ski, snowshoe, hike, and spend time in nature. She travels as much as possible and loves to experience new cultures and ways of living and see the many wonderful landscapes of the world. Travel helps Catherine broaden her understanding of the world and the students she serves.