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Photograph of Holly Swanson

Holly Swanson Professorial Lecturer and Director of Biology Laboratories CAS | BIO | Biology

Degrees
B.S. Microbiology, Pennsylvania State University; M.S. Genetics, Pennsylvania State University; PhD Biology, University of Rhode Island

Bio
As the lab director, Dr. Swanson is responsible for hiring lab instructors for all bio labs and the training of instructors in our 100 and 200-level labs. She also continuously updates the lab curriculum to provide students with exposure to current topics and techniques in the field of biology while promoting inclusive excellence.

Dr. Swanson's DBER (discipline-based education research) interest focuses on metacognition and self-regulated learning in biology students and how curricular activities can promote skill development in these areas.
For the Media
To request an interview for a news story, call AU Communications at 202-885-5950 or submit a request.

Teaching

Summer 2024

  • BIO-110 General Biology I

Scholarly, Creative & Professional Activities

Selected Publications

Swanson, H. J. & Dewsbury, B. (2024). The impact of a metacognitive intervention on student experiences and success in an academic probation program for first-year students. Teaching & Learning Inquiry, in press.

Swanson, H. J., Ojutiku, A., & Dewsbury, B. (2024). The impacts of an academic intervention based in metacognition on academic performance. Teaching & Learning Inquiry, 12 (April), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.20343/teachlearninqu.12.12 

Dewsbury, B. M., Swanson, H. J., Moseman-Valtierra, S., & Caulkins, J. (2022). Inclusive and active pedagogies reduce academic outcome gaps and improve long-term performance.  PLOS ONE, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0268620 

Swanson, H. J. (2021). A discipline brief for equity in biology. https://solve.everylearnereverywhere.org/asset/budephLgRjdigeRxBlIg In Gable. T., Holiday, T., O’Sullivan, P., & Sims, J. J. (2021 June 1). Getting started with equity: A guide for academic department leaders. Every Learner Everywhere. https://www.everylearnereverywhere. org/resources/.

Vaccaro, A., Swanson, H. J., Marcotte, M., and Newman, B. M. (2019). Insights into the sense of belonging from women of color: Interconnections of cultural competence, expectations, institutional diversity, and counterspaces. Journal Committed to Social Change on Race and Ethnicity, 5(2), 32-65.

Vaccaro, A., Marcotte, M., Swanson, H. J., and Newman, B. M. (2019). Using Familial Funds of Knowledge to Transition and Develop a Sense of Belonging: Reflections from First-Generation College Women of Color. Journal of the First-Year Experience & Students in Transition, 31(2), 29-44.

Kaldor, E. & Swanson, H. (2019). How can you elevate metacognition on your campus? Try the Ace-Your-Course Challenge. Forum for Teaching & Learning, 28(2), 5-7.