معرفی
Whitney Wall Bortz serves as Assistant Professor of Liberal Studies and Program Coordinator in the School of Arts and Sciences at Fresno Pacific University, where she also holds the position of Faculty Senate Chair and Faculty Representative. Her leadership extends to academic governance while maintaining active research and teaching responsibilities.
Her academic credentials include a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Education from Queen's University, Belfast; a Master of Arts (M.A.) from Pepperdine University; and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Humanities from Pepperdine University. This educational foundation supports her transition from middle school teaching to higher education administration.
Dr. Bortz's research centers on educational systems with emphasis on STEM recruitment dynamics, computational thinking integration, and teacher bias analysis. Her work examines how financial incentives impact graduate recruitment in STEM fields, develops frameworks for embedding computational thinking into science curricula, and investigates implicit gender biases in mathematics instruction. This research program addresses critical gaps in educational equity and pedagogical effectiveness.
Her publication portfolio reveals consistent focus on assessment design, recruitment systems, and integration challenges across STEM education. Trends show increasing emphasis on computational thinking applications in K-12 settings alongside persistent investigation of structural barriers in graduate education pathways.
Professional recognition includes:
- Best Paper Award and Finalist for Zone 2 at American Society for Engineering Education Southeastern Conference (2019)
As Program Coordinator, Dr. Bortz likely oversees curriculum development and student advising within Liberal Studies, though specific mentoring details aren't documented. Her collaborative publication pattern suggests active engagement with interdisciplinary research teams, particularly in STEM education initiatives. No laboratory facilities or dedicated research centers are referenced in available materials.
