Erica Harvey

Erica Harvey earned her B.A. in Chemistry from Wellesley College in 1985 and a Ph.D. in Physical Inorganic Chemistry from the California Institute of Technology in 1990. At FSU, she teaches mainly Chemical Principles, Foundational Biochemistry, and Physical Chemistry. Harvey's professional efforts focus on student-centered, active learning. She and her research students have made Fairmont State University the headquarters of the West Virginia Brigade of the Solar Army, a nationwide research effort to store solar energy in the form of a chemical fuel. (http://www.fairmontstate.edu/SolarArmyWV) Another research effort involves FSU students in computational molecular dynamics with Blake Mertz and his group at West Virginia University.  Along with her chemistry faculty colleagues, she has worked hard to develop a challenging, supportive first-year chemistry curriculum including explicit learning outcomes, mastery grading, peer mentors, and in-depth technology support, including video lectures. NSF-funded projects have included collaborations to increase persistence of rural, first generation students in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), to develop an electronic quantum mechanics text, and to create online intercollegiate learning communities in physical chemistry. Favorite out-of-school activities include “hiking, gardening, hanging out on big rocks near big trees, watching our pretty chickens and enjoying time with family and friends.”