Technical General Education
Faculty
Matt Wilson
Clinical Associate Professor
Office: Roy F. Christensen Complex 375
Professional Work Experience
- Instructor, ISU College of Technology General Education – 4 years
- Online Adjunct Instructor, College of Southern Idaho – 1 year
- Instructor & GTA, Northern Arizona University – 3 years
- Writing tutor, various institutions – 5 years
- Low-skilled positions to pay rent after earning a degree in the arts! – 4 years
Career Highlights
- Joining the General Education Department at the College of Tech!
- Teaching upward of 1000 students how to transmit their ideas effectively and ethically
One of My Favorite Professional Experiences
When I used to teach on academic campuses, I had several students report to me that through my freshman composition class they had discovered a love for writing that led them to switch their majors to English. For many composition teachers, there might not be a higher honor than that, but it’s never been a goal of mine to convert students to a new future as writers. Rather, what is gratifying to me is to get students to appreciate the truth that critical thinking and effective communication—oral and written—will open doors for them, not just in their future professions, but in every aspect of the lives they have already planned for themselves. My favorite experiences as a teacher are receiving confirmation that I’ve done just that.
Michael Matusek
Clinical Instructor
Office: Roy F. Christensen Complex 271
Professional Work Experience
- Instructor, College of Technology – Technical General Education – 1 year
- Instructor, Highland Senior High School – Physical Science & Math – 2 years
- Entry Level Research Scientist – Idaho Accelerator Center – 2 years
Career Highlights
- Owner of Tutoring Business
- Recipient of graduate scholarships over 3 years in applied physics
- Attendee at Hampton University Graduate Studies at Thomas Jefferson Laboratory while conducting research on data obtained from the Hall B g13 experiment
- Conducted cosmic ray research with the Quarknet program through the University of Notre Dame
Favorite Professional Experience
As an instructor I had the opportunity to introduce students to real scientific investigation. One group of students involved in working with our Quarknet cosmic ray detector had an incredible chance to verify some known facts about how cosmic rays enter the Earth. Through various experiments my students figured out that there is an angular dependence of cosmic ray muons. Matching experiment with theory was a rare opportunity to see how my students’ could use their knowledge to understand the world around them. Beyond that, many students found a new interest in science and technology. I strive to have experiences like these on a regular basis, where students can see how the material they learning has a place in our world.
Alex Hrin MS
Clinical Instructor
Office: Roy F. Christensen Complex 370
Professional Experience:
- Clinical Instructor, ISU College of Technology (since 2023)
- Electronics Lab TA - Colorado School of Mines (3 years)
- Kopelman Lab Research Assistant - University of Michigan (3 years)
- Primary and Secondary Science and Math Instructor - Various Institutions (10 years)
- Adjunct Instructor in Mathematics - College of Southern Nevada (3 years)
Career Highlights:
- MS University of Michigan - Biophysics 2011
- MS Colorado School of Mines - Applied Physics 2008
- BS Colorado School of Mines - Engineering Physics 2007
- Student average above 4 on AP Physics 1 Test
- Joining ISU's College of Technology!
One of Many Favorite Professional Experiences
I've always enjoyed developing and implementing science curriculum more than anything else about my job. Over the years it has involved tinkering around with siphons and vacuum chambers, figuring out the coolest ways to demonstrate air pressure, showing off some crazy center of gravity setups, and generally coming up with interesting ways to show rather than tell scientific principles.
Phil Jones
Clinical Instructor
Office: Roy F. Christensen #378
Professional Work Experience
- Academic Advisor at ISU- 5 Years 2018-2023
- Academic Advisor, Admissions Advisor, and Financial Services Manager- Overall 15 year experience.
Career Highlights
- Be A Bengal Winner 2022- Compassion Category
- Platinum Cup Winner 2010 - Ashford University. Top Academic Advisor for the year.
Favorite Professional Experience
I have so many favorite professional experiences, but the most gratifying experience is when a student tells me thank you so much for keeping me on track to graduate. Knowing that you had an impact on their success is the most rewarding experience.
I am so excited for this next chapter in my career as a first time instructor. I know that everyone in the College of Technology is passionate about helping our students succeed and is the main reason why I transitioned to teaching.
A little about me…
I am a very competitive person and I love sports, especially Tennis. You can find me in the gym during lunch and on the tennis courts after work and the weekends. I also really love spending time with my family RVing. Glamping is something that I have come to really enjoy over the past year.