Vickie Olson

Vickie Olson is an Assistant Professor of Biology Instruction at Hope College, teaching courses in Human Physiology and Biology of Microorganisms. She holds a B.A. in Physical Education from Hope College (1978) and an M.A. in Biology from the University of South Dakota (1987). Her expertise spans human anatomy, physiology, and microbiology, with research interests rooted in plant ecology and STEM education equity.

Prior to Hope College, she taught at the University of New Mexico Gallup for over 30 years, contributing to a NSF-funded program supporting Native American students in STEM fields. She has also taught in South Dakota and New Mexico, with research experience in vegetative dynamics of Badlands National Park.

• Grants: National Science Foundation grant for New Mexico Alliance for Minority Participation in Math, Science, Engineering, and Technology (1994-2000)

Outside academia, Olson is an avid sports enthusiast, supporting Hope College athletics and maintaining hobbies like quilting and hosting international students. She is the mother of twin children adopted from Romania.