JONATHAN BRENNAN has presented experiential learning workshops in student success to faculty from colleges and universities across the North America. Since 2000, Dr. Brennan has been working as a co-facilitator with Dr. Skip Downing, the creator of the innovative On Course student success workshop series.  He has extensive experience facilitating On Course Professional Development Workshops.

Dr. Brennan is faculty member in (and former chair of) the English Department at Mission College in Santa Clara, CA, and holds a B.A. and an M.A. in English, an M.A. in Counseling Psychology, a Ph.D. in Ethnic Studies (U.C. Berkeley), an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Change (Fielding Graduate University), and he has been trained as a Life Coach. 

He designed and coordinated an On Course Program at Mission College that has significantly improved the retention and academic success rate of students in developmental English, Mathematics, Reading, and ESL. He has chaired the Student Success Committee as well as Accreditation, served as Vice President of the Academic Senate, and teaches composition, African American and Native American literature, and life skills classes.  He has served as director of an academic mentoring program for basic skills students, developed the freshman seminar Learning Communities project, and directed research grants for the state of California’s Fund for Student Success and Fund for Instructional Improvement programs. 

He was voted Faculty of the Year at Mission College in 1999-2000, and was awarded a NISOD Teaching Excellence Award.  Dr. Brennan also serves on the board at the Peninsula School, a Progressive Education independent school which has focused on experiential learning since 1927.  In April, 2005, he was awarded the Stanback-Stroud Diversity award from the California State Academic Senate, and in 2008 was awarded the California State Hayward Award for Excellence in Education.

His publications include two books on Mixed Race and Black Indian Literature from Stanford Press and University of Illinois Press, and a forthcoming textbook on high school student success.

Jonathan Brennan is the best facilitator I have ever worked with. Thank you for such a wonderful experience.... Where were you when I was in college?  –-Suzanne Goodrich, LAS/Social Science, Milwaukee Area Technical College, WI

I enjoyed this workshop. You are a great presenter, Jonathan. Thanks! –-Mariah Beck, Chair, Math and Developmental Education, Umpqua Community College, OR

Your teaching technique is superb. I have learned so much and commit to using as much as I can with students, staff and even my family. –-Maddy Jeffs, Vice President for Student Services, Columbia Basin College, WA

The workshop last week was a resounding success, and everyone appreciated Jonathan’s expertise, willingness to hear and work with varying points of view, and his great sense of humor.  I’m sure this college will want to host another workshop in a year or so, and we’re already working on identifying people to attend the On Course 1 and 2 Workshops, as well as the National Conference .  Everyone who was there wants to be on your newsletter mailing list—that says it all, doesn’t it? —Diana Babayan, Chair and Faculty, ESL, Santiago Canon College, CA

Jonathan is one of the best workshop leaders I’ve ever seen! –-Guillermo Colls, Faculty, ESL, Cuyamaca College, CA

Thank you so very much for coming to Lane and beautifully facilitating the On Course Workshop.  The participants really appreciated the opportunity and felt the day was well worth their time.  I respect your ability to be so open to all questions and comments. –-Mary Parthemer, Director, TRIO Learning Center, Lane Community College, OR

I had no idea I would benefit so much by going through [the On Course I Workshop] again…I learned as much the second time as I did the first time when I took it with Skip…I came away with more ideas, motivation, friends, and enthusiasm than I thought possible.  You are an outstanding instructor.  –-Alice Franey, Faculty, Mathematics, US Air Force Academy Prep School, CO

Jonathan made me feel valued personally in the way he listened to my comments and the comments of others. —Kate Beley, Counselor, El Camino College, CA

I appreciate the completeness and the thought that has gone into the workshop, as well as the social skills evidenced in Jonathan's facilitation of it. –-Jim Handy, Director, Counseling & Advisement Center, El Centro College, TX

Jonathan is a phenomenal facilitator. I’m paying $10/hour for a babysitter today, and I must say that this workshop is worth every penny I spent. Thank you! --Roberta Tragarz, Santiago Canyon College, CA

Your presentation provided an excellent model for expert teaching, class management and the power of expert discourse.  All combined made for an excellent professional development journey.  –-Milagros Asperin, Guidance Instructor, Chaffey College, CA

Dr. Brennan is a wonderful facilitator. He is engaging, patient, a strong listener. This workshop was not what I expected, which is good because it exceeded my expectations! It is an excellent experience in learning that I can’t wait to share with my classes. –-Vel Wiley, Faculty, Business and Leadership, Milwaukee Area Technical College, WI

Jonathan was a great model of how to present material in a way that makes the audience feel valued and useful. I signed up for this workshop because after more than 20 years of teaching I began to feel burned out and ineffective this year. I felt a real need to inject something new into my teaching to make it fun again for me and my students. I can hardly wait to get back to it now! –-Hugh Read, Faculty, Writing, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, CN

I liked how Jonathan was able to be flexible and allow more time for an activity it needed. I have been to many workshops and this was by far the best. –-Nancy Roe, Enrollment Support Specialist, Columbia Basin College, WA

This is an excellent workshop and an excellent instructor. –-Salwa Rashad, Faculty, Mathematics, Madison Area Technical College, WI

Thank you.  These words simply cannot express how thankful I am to you for making the On Course training a huge success. When I read the testimonials from Mt. SAC faculty about the training, I was moved to tears. You are an incredible facilitator who demonstrates passion, devotion, and a true calling to change lives. –-Patricia Maestro, Bridge Faculty Coordinator, Mt. San Antonio College, CA

I am thoroughly impressed by the lessons learned thus far.  The most useful part of the workshop is the strategies I can adapt for use in my class.  Jonathan, I commend you for your work. –-Elizabeth Stacy, Faculty, Biology, University of Hawaii, Hilo, HI

What a great model Jonathan is—you are peaceful, wise and non-judgmental! Our students are blessed to have you as a model. –-Debbie Beall, Faculty, Psychology, Corning Community College, NY

Jonathan is engaging and informative. I feel empowered to be a stronger teacher and more responsible leader. –Marcelle E. H. Stay, Faculty, Communication Studies, Lane Community College, OR

Jonathan did an outstanding job.  One of my goals was to experience value…Jonathan, you got the job done!  --Hector Sanchez, Counselor, Mount San Antonio College, CA

This workshop has equipped me with Power Tools! to do the best that I can with what I have to work with.  I plan on building our students up with the tools that I've acquired from On Course.  Jonathan Brennan is a phenomenal facilitator who I believe has met his calling.  Bravo! -–Karen Stills-Jones, Coordinator, School Alliance Coordinator, El Centro College, TX

I enjoyed Jonathan’s manner and feel he did an excellent job role modeling the skills. He obviously walks the talk. Thank you. –-Dave Schmaus, Faculty, Mathematics, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, CN

I see the big picture!! I finally have internalized student-centered learning. Yeah!!  –-JoAnn Lynch, Madison Area Technical College, WI

Jonathan demonstrated and set a perfect model of how invisible and visible a guide one can be in a learner-centered learning environment. I was very grateful to have the opportunity to walk this path with him and the supportive and dedicated participants. I liked that all of the strategies were conducted through “hands on” experiences and organized to model the very essence of learning-centered learning. –-Yuki Yamamoto, Faculty, ESL, Cuyamaca College, CA

Thank you, Jonathan, for the most enjoyable 3 days I have had in years. You have inspired me to return to my classroom with new found confidence and reminded me of why I chose teaching as a profession years ago. I wish I had even half of your energy.  --Lawrence R. Peterson, Academic Support Centers, Milwaukee Area Technical College, WI

This workshop was so “easy.” So many workshops are “lecture” and “read PowerPoint” presentations. They are difficult to sit through and gain new strategies. Jonathan modeled what we should be doing in the classroom! I really feel that I’ve got it and can use it when I get back to my students.  --Pat Parker, Mount Hood Community College, OR