Grand Valley Magazine Summer 2014 - (Page 19)

Q&A GVM: What did you learn about yourself during that process? about KAREN Education * Bachelor's and master's degrees from University of North Texas * Doctoral degree from Washington State University Career Highlights * Joined Grand Valley's faculty in 1999 * Received Student Award for Faculty Excellence in 2001 * Received Women's Impact Award from Grand Valley's Women's Commission in 2008 * Earned Outstanding University Service Award in 2014 * Chairs the Executive Committee of University Academic Senate Gipson's hair resembles Albert Einstein's because of the high voltage of the Van de Graff generator. photos by Amanda Pitts KG: I learned to be very patient with myself. And meditation, which I have always been interested in, has helped me a lot. In fact, I employ a brief moment of contemplative practice at the beginning of each class period; for example, having students concentrate on their breathing. There is a whole pedagogy on how students beneﬁt from concentrative habits. GVM: What drew you to physics during college? KG: Actually, during my high school years I was interested in chemistry, journalism and psychology. I was recruited into physics in college because of a scholarship, but once I took modern physics, I realized it was a good ﬁt. I enjoyed studying quantum theory and relativity, and learning to look at things deeply, not only at the surface level. GVM: You took a rather non-traditional path to becoming a faculty member. KG: Right. I worked in a medical lab right after my bachelor's degree, then I taught English in Japan for a few years. I earned my doctorate only two years before coming to Grand Valley. GVM: Why did you choose a university that emphasized teaching, rather than a large, research-based university? KG: I wanted to be at an institution where I was able to teach the full range of undergraduate courses and labs, and to collaborate with students on research projects. I chose Grand Valley because of its ﬁrst-generation access. I wanted to give back. I couldn't have gone to college myself without receiving what is now known as the Pell grant. GVM: You serve as the faculty director for the WISE living center (Women in Science and Engineering). Are there new plans for next year? KG: There are 60 women who live there now. Next year, we plan to establish a new student organization for women majoring in science, mathematics or engineering who don't live in WISE housing. We're hoping to host more events for all women STEM majors to attend. GVM: As chair of the Executive Committee of University Academic Senate (faculty governance), what are you most proud of as you reﬂect on the past year? KG: We worked hard to improve communications and made progress on many long-term issues. Among other accomplishments, we set three task force groups in place. One to study the feasibility of establishing an Ombuds Ofﬁce, another on setting a collegiality policy, and a third to explore a university standard for student assessment of teaching, the student evaluations. GVM: What is a collegiality policy? KG: While we have academic freedom in the classroom and free speech on campus, you don't have the freedom to make life uncomfortable for someone else. This policy and the task force to explore the Ombuds Ofﬁce stemmed from the campus climate study. GVM: You helped establish the Teach-In, one busy day in March when more than 1,100 people attended sessions dedicated to difﬁcult conversations around power, inequality and privilege. KG: It was a very productive event and addressed all forms of social justice. I felt it was extremely successful and I hope it is offered next year. Credit also goes to the other members of the planning team: Wendy Burns-Ardolino, Marlene Kowalski-Braun, Christine Rener and Sean Huddleston. GVM: How would you describe your leadership style? KG: I was also the physics department chair. I really don't see myself as a leader, more of a servant leader. I understand the importance of being organized and listening to all sides. I also learned as faculty senate chair, that you don't necessarily jump right away during a crisis. It's important to ﬁrst take a breath. 19 www.gvsu.edu Grand Valley Magazine http://www.gvsu.edu

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Grand Valley Magazine Summer 2014

Table of Contents
Campus News
Fall Arts Celebration
Athletics
Donor Impact
Sustainability
Research
Q&A Karen Gipson
A seat at the table
Students dig program
Deployment to enrollment
Seeing double
Off the path
Arts
Alumni News

Grand Valley Magazine Summer 2014