Heidi Smith leads the microbiology department at Front Range Community College in Fort Collins, Colorado. Collaboration with other faculty across the nation, the development and implementation of new digital learning tools, and her focus on student learning outcomes have revolutionized Heidi’s face-to-face and online teaching approaches and student performance in her classes. The use of digital technology has given Heidi the ability to teach courses driven by real-time student data and with a focus on active learning and critical thinking activities. Heidi is an active member of the American Society for Microbiology and participated as a task force member for the development of their Curriculum Guidelines for Undergraduate Microbiology Education. At FRCC, Heidi directs a federal grant program designed to increase student success in transfer and completion of STEM degrees at the local university as well as facilitate undergraduate research opportunities for underrepresented students. Off-campus, Heidi spends as much time as she can enjoying the beautiful Colorado outdoors with her husband and four children.
