COURSES
TESTIMONIALS
Physical Geography of the Earth’s Environment
Fall 2022
For the first time as instructor of record, I enthusiastically lectured on the natural and physical processes of Earth’s interconnected systems. I tailored lectures, classroom activities, assignments, and my teaching-style to an audience with diverse majors. I also supervised two new teaching assistants.
Introduction to Geotechnology
Spring 2022
Lead an ArcGIS Pro-based laboratory for lower division undergraduate students. During this teaching assistantship, I addressed a difficult, multi-student academic dishonesty situation.
GIS I - Geographic Information Systems and Science
Spring 2021
Lead an ArcGIS Pro-based laboratory via remote instruction for undergraduate and graduate students. I also helped new GIS teaching faculty create and refine course material.
Spatial Analysis
Fall 2021, Fall 2019
In this course, I lead the lab that introduced students to R programming and statistical computing in an analysis-focused laboratory. I Helped students overcome significant learning challenges and achieve phenomenal learning outcomes. During both semesters, I supported an average of 15-20 students in weekly office hours.
Remote Sensing
Fall 2020
I lead an ENVI-based laboratory with in-person and remote instruction during the ongoing pandemic. During this combined graduate and undergraduate course, I helped several students with learning disabilities overcome major learning obstacles.
Use and Application of UAS (Drone) Technologies in GIS
Spring 2020
In this field-based lecture and laboratory, I helped guide learning with a focus on group research projects and UAS Remote Pilot licensing preparation. I was responsible for instruction and transporting students to field sites in a 12-15 passenger van. I also helped facilitated migration to remote learning while maintaining excellent student engagement
Ecology at Kellogg Biological Station
Summer Semester 2017,2018
I co-instructed a fundamental ecology course using an experiential learning framework. The class met twice per week for eight hours each day. We kept students engaged by doing all of our lectures and short-term projects in the field. During each class period, students designed their own experiments, collected their own data and applied their interpretations of their data to ecological concepts.
Organismal Biology
8 Semesters; Fall 2013 - Spring 2017
Inspire students to actively engage in the scientific method as developing academics. Guide students in the design, implementation, analysis, and professional presentation of independent research projects. Promote the importance of writing, communication and collaborating with others in the sciences.
Nicaragua Study Abroad
Spring Break 2014, 2016, 2018
Organized and lead 18 students on a nine-day expedition designed to expose them to diverse ecosystems and cultures. Acted as naturalist and liaison between students and the villages we visited. Pushed students to acknowledge and discuss the challenges of life in a remote developing country and the complex relationships created between people and their natural resources.
Biology of Mammals
2 Semesters; Spring 2011, 2012
Instructed a laboratory class in which students were required to learn the taxonomic structure of the Class Mammalia. I lectured during each lab period and promoted an environment in which student drive questions and learning. The course goal was to develop an understanding of the link between form and function rather than dictate the rote memorization of classification.
Lauren is brilliant and was able to explain lecture material that I did not understand in a way that actually helped me figure out how to solve problems in the lab
Anon. Student, Spatial Analysis
Lauren was incredibly helpful and responsive to questions. She spend a lot of time assisting students even outside of lab and office hours. She showed a genuine dedication to her students.
Anon. Student, Spatial Analysis
Lauren is exceptional and willing to help you when you are lost. She cares about the students and goes out of her way to establish a connection that enables students to ask questions and get involved in their learning. Great job!
Anon. Student, Remote Sensing
Very knowledgeable and passionate about the topic and it shows in her teaching. Really nice and helps students whenever they don’t understand the material.
Anon. Student, Physical Geography
I loved the enthusiasm behind everything Mrs. Phillips taught. She was very well spoken and broke things out well.
Anon. Student, Physical Geography
Lauren was an awesome lab instructor. Lauren always showed a lot of enthusiasm for the labs which made me more appreciative of all the effort and time the lead instructor put into them. I valued all the effort Lauren put into memorizing the lab and working through them before the lab sessions. Lauren also made the labs really fun!
Anon. Student, GIS I
You were my favorite part about the class. I can tell that you really do enjoy talking about the subject. I also feel like you were very clear with expectations and did everything you could to help us pass which I appreciate immensely.
Anon. Student, Physical Geography
Lauren was a great TA, who was always quick to help us and stay late if we needed. She is funny and very smart and always knew how to fix an issue. Her and the other TA worked well together as well.
Anon. Student, GIS I
I really enjoyed this lab. I think you can talk about GIS technologies all day long, but you won't really understand it until you can apply it to certain data and actually see what you're talking about. I really liked the analyses we would do for lab and I'm glad that it's become a new skill of mine.
Anon. Student, Intro to Geotechnology
Lauren and Nash made a great team. Whenever I was feeling confused, she made an effort to explain concepts to me in new ways. She also jumped into a river just to catch a snake for us.
Anon. Student, Ecology
She is the greatest of all time. Had the skill set, organization, knowledge and critical thinking skills of a tenured, well-respected professor, probably could’ve taught lecture too.
Anon. Student, Organismal Biology
She loves Nicaragua and made all of us love it too. She had endless enthusiasm and energy during the program. She can tell you about all of the animals and people that live there.
Anon. Student, Nicaragua Study Abroad
Lauren really cares about teaching. I have never had a TA that cares as much as she does. It's almost like she is a real professor.
Anon. Student, Organismal Biology
She comes to class really excited and she knows her stuff. I'm pretty sure you could ask her about a random fish in the Atlantic and she could tell you all about it.
Anon. Student, Organismal Biology