Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
PhD, International and Comparative Education August 2015-Present
University of South Carolina (USC), Columbia, South Carolina
Master of Education, Higher Education and Student Affairs May 2009
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Cognate: History
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Thesis: Unanticipated Transitions: Investigating the Financial Experience of Master’s Degree Students
Bachelor of Arts, History May 2007
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Cognate: Secondary Education
Tri-County Technical College, Pendleton, South Carolina
Associate of Arts, Humanities May 2005
Academic Advisor for Students in Transition / Coordinator of Transfer Seminars
University of North Carolina Wilmington
January 2010-August 2015
▪ Coordinated and taught UNI 201: Transfer Seminar, a writing intensive and information literacy course designed to help transfer and military students transition to UNCW, research their major, build relationships with faculty, create a thorough academic plan, and develop career goals
▪ Developed and updated common curriculum including a syllabus template, a twenty-page transfer portfolio assignment, and a library research assignment focusing on information literacy
▪ Maintained instructional resources website with readings, powerpoints, videos, and assignment examples
▪ Managed logistics of UNI 201: Transfer Seminars including course development, common course components, and course delivery
▪ Collaborated with the University Learning Center, the Career Center, the Office of the Dean of Students, and the Randall Library to provide each UNI 201 with presentations on writing skills, career planning, academic integrity, and information literacy
▪ Recruited, hired, trained, and supported high-quality UNI 201 faculty
▪ Recruited, trained, and supervised transfer peer mentors who are embedded into each UNI 201 section and provide quality support and guidance as students transition
▪ Presented Adult Transition Theory, the W-Curve, and other student development theories to UNI 201 sections
▪ Developed and maintained the UNI 201 Transfer Seminar Survey each semester to assess course outcomes and student experience
▪ Marketed the seminars to incoming transfer and military students by utilizing multiple methods of outreach
▪ Academically advised and counseled students within UNI 201 and utilize peer-mentors to provide additional support
▪ Proposed and successfully achieved the adoption of UNI 201 as a three credit-hour University Studies course that fulfills Information Literacy and Writing Intensive competency requirements helping to give transfer students a smoother path towards graduation
▪ Supported and advised 150-200 students ranging from traditional freshmen to special student populations including students who transferred from other universities or the military, were transitioning between majors, were first-year spring admits (FYSA), were reenrolling, were being re-instated, and those given special permission to take courses
▪ Served on the Synergy Common Reading committee and provide assistance with programming
▪ Provided consultations to students using the University College Students in Transition Program Consultation Process where students needing to change their major were provided with temporary advising and support
▪ Helped students strategically manage, cope with, and maneuver through transitions
▪ Advised students in making decisions about majors and course selections appropriate to their academic, career, and life goals
▪ Monitored students' academic performance and transitional experience and made appropriate referrals when academic or personal issues require intervention
▪ Conducted workshops and other events for students who are exploring majors and/or want to declare or change their major
▪ Represented UNCW in England, Sweden, and Finland while visiting with faculty and advisors abroad
Coordinator of Collaborative Graduate Programs
University of South Carolina
June 2009-January 2010
▪ Coordinated the development of the Master’s of Education in Higher Education Business Administration graduate program, an online degree program for a national and international market
▪ Strategically planned and facilitated market research initiatives including focus groups, surveys, and faculty forums
▪ Evaluated market research findings to design marketing initiatives and recruitment plans
▪ Researched, designed, organized, and presented joint education and business curriculum
▪ Managed the organization and completion of institutional and statewide program proposal processes
▪ Served as chief liaison between education and business graduate faculty members
Research Assistant
University of South Carolina
May 2009-August 2009
▪ Provided research assistance and consultation for the National Science Foundation’s REESE and STEP grants
▪ Reviewed, organized, transcribed, produced, and evaluated comprehensive qualitative and quantitative data sets
▪ Gained skills in grant writing, assessment strategy, and research compliance
Graduate Assistant for Public Relations and Resource Development
National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience and Students in Transition (NRC)
May 2007-May 2009
▪ Assisted with the conceptual development and procedural implementation of comprehensive marketing initiatives
▪ Expanded the Center’s marketing efforts by establishing a comprehensive online social media presence
▪ Aided University 101/ NRC resource library acquisitions, database management, and circulation of subscription material
▪ Directed communications in regards to marketing, public relations, and resource development initiatives
▪ Oversaw Center’s marketing, public relations, and resource development billing
▪ Collaborated with student service departments and provided educational programming
▪ Instructed students in University 101 course sessions and assisted with First-Year Reading Experience events
▪ Supported and trained practicum students
▪ Contributed to conference planning and implementation
▪ Exhibited for the Center at national venues
Curtis, R. T., & Ekecrantz, S. (in-press). Citizens and customers: A changing Swedish higher education student experience? International Association of Student Affairs and Services.
Curtis, R. T., & Underwood, Z. W. (2013). Pre-orientation registration program: Turning high school seniors into engaged college freshmen. College and University, 89(1), 61-66.
Curtis, R. T. (2010). Post-graduation advising: Needed more now than ever. The Mentor: An Academic Advising Journal. Retrieved from http://www.psu.edu/dus/mentor/100113rc.htm.
Curtis, R. T. (2009). It was the best of times, it was the worst of times: Graduate student support and success in the age of budget cuts. American College Personnel Association (ACPA), Graduate and Professional School Educators Commission Newsletter.
Curtis, R. T. (2008). Students in financial crisis: How academic advisers can help. The Mentor: An Academic Advising Journal. Retrieved from http://www.psu.edu/dus/mentor/080227rc.htm.
Curriculum Vitae
Education
Professional Experience
Publications
Presentations
Curtis, R. T. (April 5, 2016) “I tell everyone about the theory!” How teaching transitional theories can make student resilience “go viral.” Paper presented at the European First-Year Experience Conference, Ghent, Belgium.
Curtis, R. T. (February 24, 2016) Shaping the Future: Critical Thinking as a Community Responsibility. Paper presented at the Joint Seminar on Education in the Era of Globalization: Towards the Realization of Sustainable Future, Stockholm, Sweden.
Curtis, R. T., & Adams, J. B. (October 20, 2014). Students in Transition Program at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Poster presented at the Annual Students in Transition Conference, Denver, CO.
Curtis, R. T. (October 20, 2014). More than a Portfolio: Helping Transfer Students Create a Passport for Success. Poster presented at the Annual Students in Transition Conference, Denver, CO.
Curtis, R. T., & Adams, J. B. (October 19, 2014). Making it Count: Designing a Seminar Course for Transfer and Military Students. Paper presented at the Annual Students in Transition Conference, Denver, CO.
Curtis, R. T., & Hathock, A. (February 20, 2012). Major Confusion: Helping Students Navigate Through a Maze of Majors. Paper presented at the Annual First-Year Experience Conference, San Antonio, TX.
Curtis, R. T. (October 6, 2010). Graduation: A Villain in Disguise? Paper presented at the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) National Conference, Orlando, FL.
Curtis, R. T. (April 3, 2009). The Financial Experience of Master's Degree Students. Paper presented at the University of South Carolina Graduate Student Day, Columbia, SC.
Curtis, R. T. (October 2, 2008). Economic Recession and Student Financial Instability: How Academic Advisers Can Help. Paper presented at the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) National Conference, Chicago, IL.
Curtis, R. T. (May 19, 2008). Economic Recession and Student Financial Instability: How Academic Advisers Can Help. Paper presented at the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) Region 3 Conference, Columbia, SC.
Teaching
Instructor
University of North Carolina Wilmington August 2010-Present
▪ Coordinated and taught UNI 201: Transfer Seminar
▪ Developed transfer portfolio that is utilized in each section of UNI 201
▪ Created an in-depth experiential group project where students thoroughly planned a trip abroad
▪ Taught UNI 101: The First-Year Seminar during fall and spring semesters
▪ Taught UNI 292: The ExCEL First-Year Seminar, a seminar for first-generation college students, for two years.
▪ Chaperoned students on cultural trips to Atlanta, GA, Washington, DC, and New Orleans, LA.
▪ Developed, designed, and implemented both required and unique course content, syllabi, and assessments
▪ Utilized Blackboard for journals, assignments, assessments, rubrics, and grading
▪ Required students to write a two to three page professional letter to use critical thinking, writing skills, and professional etiquette
Teaching Assistant August 2009-January 2010
University of South Carolina
▪ Taught EDHE 730: The Evolution of Higher Education to twenty-five higher education graduate students ▪ Assisted with the development, design, and implementation of course content, syllabus, and assessments
▪ Led several course sessions independently and gained extensive experience utilizing varied instructional techniques
Honors / Awards
▪ Institutional Excellence for Students in Transition Award, National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience and Students in Transition (2014).
▪ Impactful First-Year Experience Award, University of North Carolina Wilmington (2013).
▪ Best of Region Award, NACADA Region 3, for presenting: "Economic Recession and Student Financial Instability: How Academic Advisers Can Help." presented May 19, 2008 at NACADA Region 3 Conference in Columbia, SC.
▪ Inductee, Phi Alpha Theta, University of South Carolina (2006).
▪ Inductee, Phi Theta Kappa, Tri County Technical College (2005).
▪ Presidential Student Service Award, Presidential Student Service Awards, President George W. Bush (2003).
▪ Governor's Citizenship Medal, Governor Mark Sanford (2003).
University Service
▪ UNCW Title IX Investigation Team 2014-2015
▪ UNCW Residency Appeals Committee 2011-2015
▪ UNCW Synergy Common Reading Committee 2010-2015
▪ Transfer Student Librarian Search Committee 2014-2015
▪ UNCW Military Advisory Board 2010-2013
▪ Focus Carolina: Service Excellence Committee 2009
▪ Student Trustee Liaison Committee 2008-2009
▪ Presidential Investiture Commission 2008
▪ Student Life Presidential Investiture Committee 2008
▪ President’s University Involvement Committee 2008
▪ Provost’s Special Study Group on Graduate Life 2008
▪ Academic Integrity Committee 2008-2009
▪ Best Practices in Graduate Education 2008
▪ Parking and Transportation Committee 2006-2007
▪ Certificate for Veteran’s Service Providers (CVSP), Operation College Promise. (March, 2012).
▪ Certified Personal Financial Manager (CPFM), Inceptia. (April, 2014).
Certifications
President, Graduate Student Association
University of South Carolina
May 2008-May 2009
▪ Revitalized the organization’s structure, functions, and purpose by infusing the needs and desires of graduate students with those of professional students
▪ Led constitutional restructuring to better serve the graduate student body
▪ Met monthly with the University President and served on multiple university-wide committees as a liaison for the graduate student body
▪ Authored, administered, and analyzed the “University of South Carolina Graduate Student Stipend Survey 2008” on graduate student personal finance, a report submitted to academic deans, the graduate school, student affairs officials, and university administration