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Academic Skills Specialists

Dr. Darrin Sorrells

Biography:

Dr. Darrin Sorrells serves as Learning Assistance Specialist in Academic Skills. In his position, Darrin will oversee the learning assistance program and coordinate all aspects of CRLA certification for the Academic Skills’ tutoring and Supplemental Instruction programs. He is responsible for recruiting, training, and certifying student tutors as well as instructing GENS courses within the unit.

From 1997-1999, Darrin taught junior/senior high school classes at Shoals Junior/Senior High School in Shoals, Indiana. From 1999-2008, Darrin worked at Oakland City University in Oakland City, Indiana, serving in various capacities during his tenure, including Reading Specialist for the TRIO Student Support Services program, a faculty member, and Dean of the School of Business. During the 2008-2009 academic year, he served as Assistant Dean of Wright State University’s University College in Dayton, Ohio, leading the Student Academic Success Center comprised of Developmental Education, Tutoring Services, the Math Learning Center, and the Writing Center. Prior to arriving at USI, Darrin also worked in the Indiana University system from 2009-2010, serving as Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning at Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus (IUPUC) in Columbus, Indiana.

Darrin has published several articles in peer-reviewed journals and has delivered numerous presentations at regional and national conferences. He currently serves on the editorial boards of the Journal for the Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Journal for Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences. His professional affiliations include memberships in the American Psychological Association (APA), the Society for Industrial/Organizational Psychology (SIOP), and Phi Delta Kappa International (PDK). He has also received training from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC-NCA) to serve as both a consultant/evaluator for the Program to Evaluate and Advance Quality (PEAQ) and as an annual systems appraiser for the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP). In addition, Darrin has received numerous professional awards and honors during his career, including outstanding teaching recognitions and being selected during 2008-2009 by Phi Delta Kappa International as one of the top “Emerging Leaders” in education in the nation.

Learning Assistance Specialist

ED 1116
8600 University Boulevard
Evansville, IN 47712
Phone 812-464-1743
Email:Dr. Darrin Sorrells

Office Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:00am-4:30pm

EDUCATION

Ph.D., Psychology (Industrial/Organizational specialization), Northcentral University
M.Ed., Education, Indiana Wesleyan University
B.A., English Education, Oakland City University
- Undergraduate Minor: Social Studies—Psychology Emphasis

WORK HISTORY

2010-Present	Learning Assistance Specialist, Academic Skills Office, University Division, University of Southern Indiana (USI), Evansville, IN
2009-2010	Director, Columbus Center for Teaching and Learning, Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus (IUPUC), Columbus, IN, a campus of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), Indianapolis, IN
2008-2009	Assistant Dean, Student Academic Success Center, University College, Wright State University, Dayton, OH
2007-2008	Associate Professor of Business, Oakland City University, Oakland City, IN
2004-2008	Dean, School of Business, Oakland City University, Oakland City, IN
2004-2007	Assistant Professor of Business, Oakland City University, Oakland City, IN
2004	Interim Dean, School of Business, Oakland City University, Oakland City, IN
1999-2004	Reading Specialist/Instructor, United States Department of Education Federal TRIO Student Support Services Program, Oakland City University, Oakland City, IN
1997-1999	Junior/Senior High School Teacher, Shoals Junior/Senior High School, Shoals, IN

TRAINING AND RELATED EXPERIENCES

Additional Graduate Study

Indiana University
Wright State University

Additional Professional Training

The International Center for Supplemental Instruction, University of
- Missouri-Kansas City
- Northcentral University
- Spring Arbor University

MEMBERSHIPS, AFFILIATIONS. AND OTHER OFFICES HELD

American Psychological Association
Society for Industrial/Organizational Psychology
Phi Delta Kappa International

ACTIVITIES

2010	Peer Reviewer, Session Proposals for 2011 American Psychological Association Annual Convention, Division Seven—Developmental Psychology
2009-Present	Editorial Review Board Member, Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences
2009-2010	Guest Editor, Journal for the Liberal Arts and Sciences, Volume 14, Issue 2
2007-Present	Editorial Review Board Member, Journal for the Liberal Arts and Sciences
2006-2009	Member, Professional Contribution National Awards Committee, Society for Industrial/Organizational Psychology
2006-Present	Peer Reviewer, Papers/Proposed Sessions Submitted for Presentation at National Conferences, Society for Industrial/Organizational Psychology

PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

Selected Publications

Sorrells, D. (2010). Defining college student success. Selected proceedings and highlights from the first regional summit on improving college student success. Columbus, IN: Columbus Center for Teaching and Learning.

Sorrells, D. & McMurray, A. J. (2009). Bridging the gap: Reaching first-generation students in the classroom. Journal of Instructional Psychology, 31(3).

Sorrells, D. (2009). All aboard the online express…Or get left at the station. Journal of Online Education. Available at http://www.nyu.edu/classes/keefer/waoe/sorrellsd.pdf

Sorrells, D. & McMurray, A. J. (2007). Student services and the college classroom: Some ideas for collaboration. College Student Journal, 41(4).

Sorrells, D. (2005). Applying psychology to academic advising. Journal for the Liberal Arts and Sciences, 10(1).

Selected Presentations

Sorrells, D., & Johnson, B. (2009). The use of peer education to teach financial literacy to college students. Louisville, KY: International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education Annual Conference.

Sorrells, D. (2007). Defining research for small schools. Oakland City, IN: International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education Region IV Regional Conference at Oakland City University.

Sorrells, D. (2007). Integrating grant writing and administration into the service-learning curriculum. Roundtable Session. Chicago, IL: The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC-NCA) Annual Meeting.

Sorrells, D. (2003). Training received through the Indiana Essential Skills and Technical Proficiencies
Initiative (IESTPI). Poster Presentation. Indianapolis, IN: Indiana Psychological Association Annual State Conference.

HONORS AND AWARDS

Phi Delta Kappa International Nationally Recognized Emerging Leader in Education
Wright State University Teaching Recognition for Outstanding Student Satisfaction in UVC 101: Freshman Seminar I
Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers
Oakland City University Teacher of the Year
Indiana Wesleyan University Outstanding Professional Award

ORGANIZATIONS

College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA)
National Tutoring Association (NTA)
Phi Delta Kappa International (PDK)
American Psychological Association (APA)
Society for Industrial/Organizational Psychology (SIOP)

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

President’s Award for Excellence in Instruction
President’s Award for Teaching Excellence
Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers

HOBBIES AND INTERESTS

I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, watching movies, and cheering for the Indianapolis Colts. I also enjoy attending various athletics events on campus and supporting the Screaming Eagles and Lady Eagles.

8600 University Boulevard - Evansville, IN 47712-3596 - 812/464-8600

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