Education Specialist

• Campus Phone: 612-625-3316
• E-mail: odono004@umn.edu
• Office: University Office Plaza Suite 400, Room 414

Education

• B.S. University of Minnesota Spanish and Speech
• M.A. University of Minnesota English as a Second Language
• Ph.D. University of Minnesota Modern Language Education & Adult Education

As an Educational Specialist at the Center for Teaching & Learning (CTL), I have attempted to connect a successful entrepreneurial experience to my long-standing passion around innovative teaching, transformative learning, and cross-cultural communication. I've attempted to advance the University's vision to internationalize the campus by initiating conversations around that topic and by working with faculty members (in groups and individually) to design courses not only associated with learning abroad experiences but also with on-campus undergraduate courses that reflect global perspectives.

Within CTL, my primary responsibilities have revolved around faculty development initiatives for “seasoned” instructors, international tenure-track faculty members, and international graduate students. Given those diverse audiences, I have taught classes that have focused on enhancing English language proficiency, teaching skills, and cross-cultural awareness, conducted individual consultation/coaching opportunities, co-facilitated year-long development programs, designed in-service workshops, and presented numerous sessions on teaching, learning, and intercultural course design at national and international conferences.

Having studied abroad as a graduate student, taught at the University of Barcelona, Spain, and consulted at three higher education institutions in Egypt, I continue to be deeply interested in the impact of culture and language on teaching and learning. Other research areas that intrigue me include reflective/reflexive methodologies, whole body/transformational learning, and innovative ways of structuring knowledge to maximize learning.

Selected Publications

O'Donovan, K. (2008). My magnificent seven: A memoir of students who have shaped my teaching. Transform, 3(1), 3.

O'Donovan, K. and Simmons, S. (2007). Making meaning of a life in teaching. In D.R. Robertson & SSS, (Eds). To improve the academy: Vol. 25. Resources for faculty, instructional, and organizational development. (315-326). Bolton, MA: Anker.

O'Donovan, K. (2006). My magnificent seven: A memoir of students who have shaped my teaching. University of Minnesota, Center for Teaching and learning web site: www1.umn.edu/ohr/teachlearn/meaning/index.html

O'Donovan, K. and Mikelonis, V. (2005). Internationalizing on- campus courses: A faculty develop program to integrate global perspectives into undergraduate course syllabi. Internationalizing Undergraduate Education: Integrating Study Abroad in the Curriculum. (91-95). Minneapolis, MN: Learning Abroad Center, University of MN.

Romano, J., Hoesing, R., O'Donovan, K., and Weinsheimer, J. (2004, Fall). Faculty at mid-career: A program to enhance teaching and learning. Innovative Higher Education, 29(1), 21-48.

Lundquist (O'Donovan), K. (1996). Superwoman's rite of passage: From midlife to whole life. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications.

Irish, D., Lundquist (O'Donovan), K., and Nelson, V. (Eds.). (1993).

Ethnic variations in dying, death, and grief: Diversity in universality. Washington, D.C. Taylor & Francis.