ROBIN MIDDLETON is a faculty member at Jamestown Community College and a counselor in the Counseling and Career Development Center. In addition to providing personal, academic and career counseling to JCC students, she is the Coordinator of Advisement, and a member of the developmental studies faculty. She holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Connecticut. She has extensive experience facilitating On Course Professional Development Workshops.

Professor Middleton had been actively involved in student advising and student success activities throughout her 21-year teaching career, but has been particularly focused on these issues since her first attendance at an On Course I Workshop, presented by Dr. Skip Downing, in the summer of 2001. Since then, she has attended an On Course II workshop and taken all of the related graduate courses in order to gain greater professional expertise in working with students, faculty and staff on the implementation of student empowerment and success strategies.  She has presented with Dr. Downing at On Course I Workshops on her way to completing her training as an On Course professional development facilitator. She is a teaching assistant for Dr. Downing’s graduate course: Strategies for Empowering Students to Become Active, Responsible Learners, and has assisted him at the On Course I Workshop numerous times. 

Ms. Middleton has conducted workshops at both colleges and conferences in the context of general success strategies as well as in the specific implementation of On Course principles. At Jamestown Community College she co-facilitates an ongoing faculty idea exchange integrating On Course principals and strategies in the classroom. In these professional development events, faculty members from all disciplines explore ways to help students become more responsible, motivated learners. For the past three years she has been asked to co-present a session at the annual Faculty Development Day, attended by faculty across the disciplines.  At the request of the math/computer science faculty she presented a four hour workshop for them using On Course materials. Currently she is working with the biology department helping them revise their curriculum to make it more learner-centered, with active learning techniques to empower students. 

She is a recipient of the State University of New York Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service, the JCC President’s Award, the JCC Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching, and a National Academic Advising Association award for advisement program development.  She recently received the 2004 New York State College Learning Skills Association’s Award for Outstanding Service to Students in the Field of Developmental Education. 

Robin was SUPERB! I took the On Course I Workshop last summer with Skip and brought it to the LBCC campus. We couldn’t be happier with Robin’s delivery of the material. The Magic was here! --Audrey Perkins, Faculty, Developmental Studies/English, Linn-Benton Community College, OR

Robin was so good working with our group. She communicated her needs during our planning phase, “customized examples” for our group, and she knew and conveyed valuable information. Robin identified so well with Berea and our students. --Janice Blithe, Associate Provost for Advising and Academic Success, Berea College, KY

Robin, you’re great—a great motivator and inspiring speaker. Thank you for encouraging such practical application.  –-Sue Potter, Faculty, Waubonsee Community College, IL

Robin is exceptional! Probably the best facilitator I’ve ever known. --Nicole Reades, Cincinnati Tech Prep Consortium, OH

These 3 days zipped by. For me to say that about any workshop is a miracle. The experience engaged us all, taught us all, and was On Course with organization and stated goals. --Don Forbes, Director of Library Services, Guilford Technical Community College, NC

This workshop was a very positive experience! I am going away with exciting ideas for not only the classroom but also my life.   –-Yvonne Hardin, Faculty, Nursing, Mayland Community College, NC

I am so pleased that I was able to participate in this workshop. Robin is a delightful, energetic presenter who really did a terrific job. I feel empowered and ready to begin the fall term. Thank you!  –-Pat Parks, Counselor, Reading Area Community College, PA

I want to thank you for the wonderful informative presentation you gave.  I had many positive comments about the workshop.  You made the day go by very quickly, and I loved the way you incorporated movement in the program.  The ideas you presented were useful, as is all of Skip's On Course material. --Sandy Kolkay, Coordinator of Tutoring and Learning Enhancement Specialists, Waubonsee Community College, IL

The presenter did an excellent job! As a teacher and a member of the staff, I learned valuable lessons to improve the service I provide. The presenter made the learning easy. I can say with honesty that this is the best workshop I’ve been to in 13 years. --Brock Edwards, Tutoring Coordinator, Southern State Community College, OH

What can you say about Robin Middleton…such an excellent facilitator! I can’t think of a better way to spend 3 days. --Don Becker, Cincinnati Tech Prep Consortium, OH

Your timing was excellent. Just enough time to complete tasks, but not enough time to lag at all. Best timing I’ve ever experienced in a workshop with activities. --Kim Brecklein, Counselor, North Arkansas College, AR

Robin is a tremendous facilitator—great at responding to participants and involving everyone. I appreciated the focus on learner-centered approaches that combine student engagement and student responsibility.  --Meta Mendel-Reyes, Faculty, General Studies and Director, Center for Excellence in Learning through Service, Berea College, KY

You modeled the various strategies in an excellent fashion. This workshop was an excellent opportunity to see group facilitation at its best. --Gail Janecka, The Victoria College, TX

Robin, your facilitation was excellent!  I’ve implemented “On Course” in a learning community with our developmental math. It has been a success for students and is the most rewarding experience I’ve had in my career. --Debbie Massari, Faculty, Mathematics, Cuyahoga Community College, OH

These two days with Robin have been like a spa for refreshing my teaching.  --Michele Piso, Teaching and Learning Center, LaGuardia Community College, NY

Robin Middleton is a very talented facilitator. She not only presents materials well but she also models ways of making us learn. I dislike group work, but Robin didn’t make it feel like “group work”!  --Pam Lau, Center for Academic Success, Parkland College, IL