Porche' Spence, Ph.D.

Experience

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  US EPA

  May 2000 - Aug 2000

  Environmental Justice Associate, Environmental Careers Organization Associate

  • Wrote reports documenting a variety of environmental justice issues• Participated in a regional enforcement strategy meeting on wetland violations of Clean Water Act• Attended a superfund site in Alabama • Created and managed database of environmental Justice contacts

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  US EPA

  May 2001 - Dec 2001

  Research Assistant, Environmental Careers Organization Associate

  • Conducted method development experiments for extracting and separating Alkylphenols from sand• Wrote detailed evaluation and progress reports

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  US EPA

  May 2002 - Dec 2002

  Research Assistant, Environmental Careers Organization Associate

  • Assisted with collecting nitrous oxide samples from stream surfaces within the Neuse River Basin • Quantified nitrous oxide flux using Gas Chromatography (QC-ECD)• Input nitrous oxide flux data in Microsoft Excel spreadsheetsPublications:Stow, Craig A., John Walker, Lynette Cardoch Porché Spence, and Chris Geron. 2005. N2O emissions from streams in the Neuse River Watershed, NC. Environmental Science and Technology (39): 6999-7004. https://doi.org/10.1021/es0500355

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  U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

  Apr 2003 - Aug 2003

  Geography Information Systems Associate, Water Resources Division

  • Edited and processed geography information systems data• Created maps for various surface water and groundwater projects using ArcGIS

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  US EPA

  Jan 2004 - Dec 2005

  Environmental Scientist, Independent Student Contractor

  • Used a static chamber method to capture nitrous oxide fluxes from soil surfaces located near confined animal feeding operations (CAFO)• Collected soil samples near a CAFO to measure nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations• Prepared two detailed Quality Assurance and Quality Control proposals • Created maps of the research locations using ArcGISPublications:Walker, John, Porché Spence, Sue Kimbrough, Wayne Robarge. 2008. Inferential Model Estimates of Ammonia Dry Deposition in the Vicinity of a Swine Production Facility. Atmospheric Environment (42)14: 3407-3418. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2007.06.004 Show less

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  North Carolina State University, Department of Soil Science

  Jan 2006 - Dec 2009

  Graduate Research Assistant and Teacher Assistant

  • Investigated the effects of residential lawn management on nitrogen and phosphorus losses via overland flow and nitrous oxide emissions following natural rainfall events• Co-designed, co-invented, and co-implemented a passive overland flow water sample collection apparatus for residential lawns• Quantified nitrous oxide flux using a Gas Chromatography (QC-ECD)• Analyzed data Using IBM SPSS and SAS JMP Statistical Software• Created maps of the research locations using ArcGIS • Trained and supervised two undergraduate students to collect and prep environmental samples• Presented research findings at national, regional and local meetings• Wrote manuscripts for publication• Taught Introduction to Soil Science laboratory (SSC 200) to undergraduate STEM studentsPublications:Spence, Porché L., Deanna L. Osmond, Wesley Childres, Joshua L. Heitman, and Wayne P. Robarge. 2012. Effects of Lawn Maintenance on Nutrient Losses via Overland Flow during Natural Rainfall Events. Journal of America Water Resource Association (48)5: 909-924. Effects of Lawn Maintenance on Nutrient Losses via Overland Flow during Natural Rainfall Events. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-1688.2012.00658.xSpence, Porché L., John T. Walker, Wayne P. Robarge, Bill Preston, and Deanna L. Osmond. 2015. Comparing Nitrous Oxide Losses from Three Residential Landscapes under Different Management Schemes Following Natural Rainfall Events. Urban Ecosystems. 18: 1227-1243 http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11252-015-0453-9 Show less

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  North Carolina Central University, Department of Environmental, Earth and Geospatial Sciences

  Jan 2010 - Jul 2010

  Adjunct Instructor

  • Taught Geology (GEOG 2120) and Physical Geography (GEOG 2100) lecture and laboratory to science and non-science majors in an in-person learning environment

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  North Carolina Central University, Summer Ventures in Science and Mathematics Program

  Jun 2010 - Jul 2010

  Adjunct Faculty, Summer Ventures Progr

  • Designed and taught course a 4-week mini-course “Introduction to Soil Physical and Chemical Concepts” for high school students • Advised and mentored four high school students on soil science research projects and oral presentations

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  US EPA

  Aug 2010 - Jul 2012

  ORISE Post Doctoral Fellow

  • Investigated nitrogen inputs on freshwater wetland ecosystem services using Bayesian Networks • Explored scientific literature sources to gather secondary nitrogen data for freshwater wetlands to create, test and evaluate a Bayesian Network Model• Synthesized information from scientific literature• Analyzed the data using Sigma Plot Statistical SoftwarePublicationsSpence, Porché L., and Stephen J. Jordan. 2013. The Effects of Nitrogen Inputs on Freshwater Wetland Ecosystem Services - A Bayesian Network Analysis. Journal of Environmental Management. (124): 91-99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2013.03.029 Show less

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  North Carolina Central University, Department of Environmental, Earth and Geospatial Sciences

  Jul 2013 - Aug 2013

  Online Adjunct Instructor
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  North Carolina Central University

  Jun 2015 - Aug 2017

  HHMI Post-Doctoral Fellow, Center for Science, Math and Technology Education

  • Served as instructor in various lecture/laboratory courses, for science and non-science majors: 1. Primary Instructor - traditional style lecture and laboratory courses in BIOL 1201 Principles of Biology I and BIOL 1202 Principles of Biology II for science majors. 2. Primary Instructor – Research Infused “guided inquiry-based learning” laboratory courses in BIOL 1202 Principles of Biology II for science majors 3. Team Instructor - soil science module in an interdisciplinary course for non-science majors – STEM 1200 Scientific Decisions for Everyday Life• Designed, implemented and assessed student-centered course curriculum using Understanding by Design framework®.• Motivated, educated, and mentored students with diverse ethnic, racial and educational backgrounds to complete collaborative independent research infused projects • Trained and mentored graduate and undergraduate teaching assistants• Investigated inquiry-based undergraduate research experiences and professional development activities for science and non-science majorsPublications:Ahmed, Mohammad Waseem, Yolanda Anderson, Tonya Gerald-Goins, Gail Hollowell, Eric T. Salim, Tonny Sangutei, Brennetta Simpson., Porché Spence, Sandra L. White, and Dawayne Whittington. 2020. Promoting STEM-literacy by Designing Decision-Driven Interdisciplinary Courses for Non-Science Majors. Journal STEM Education: Innovations and Research. 21(3): 28-34. https://www.jstem.org/jstem/index.php/JSTEM/article/view/2469Spence, Porché L., Ruth S. Phillips, Akeem R. McAllister, Sandra L. White, and Gail P. Hollowell. 2020. Student-Scientist Curriculum: Integrating Inquiry-Based Research Experiences and Professional Development Activities into an Introductory Biology Laboratory Course. Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education. (21)3: DOI: 10.1128/jmbe.v21i3.2225 Show less

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  North Carolina Central University

  Jun 2018 - Aug 2023

  • As an Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) accredited instructor for fostering lifelong learning online and designing learner-centered and inclusive courses, I design, implement, and infuse student-centered curricula with authentic assessments using Understanding by Design framework to teach, motivate and mentor early college high school, first-year freshman, sophomores, juniors and seniors, second-degree college students and transfer students from community colleges from diverse socio-demographic backgrounds. • I am experienced at teaching Environmental Problems (BIOL 2700), Environmental Biology (BIOL 2600), General Biology (BIOL 1100), Molecules and Cell Function (BIOL 1300), and Principles of Biology: Organisms and Diversity (BIOL 1201), to science and non-science majors in an online and in-person learning environment. • I diversify my course curricula to incorporate opportunities for students to express their knowledge using traditional assignments as well as authentic assessments that encourages creative thinking as well as the opportunity to collaborate in real-world research as a citizen science project with students and faculty at NC State University. • My enthusiasm about integrating new ideas into my course curricula provides the opportunity to evaluate my instruction and student learning gains as well as conduct, synthesize and publish science education research. Additionally, I have co-authored publications with NCCU faculty and students. Publications:Gerald, Carresse, Boris Deshazo, Hayden Patterson, and Porché Spence. 2022. Growth and chemotaxis of nematodes reduced upon exposure to Third Fork Creek surface water. Environmental Sciences Europe. 34:9. DOI: 10.1186/s12302-021-00579-8Collaborations:Delftia Citizen Science Project Collaborator, 2018 – Present https://delftia.wordpress.ncsu.edu/about/people/ Show less Program Description:Diverse and Integrative STEM Continua Using Socio-environmental Systems In and Out of Neighborhoods (DISCUSSION) is an network program designed to increase the number of prepared, motivated students of color attaining careers in STEM and to disseminate evidence-based interventions as low-cost inquiry-based science learning modules emphasizing scientific literacy, knowledge retention, and quantitative skills. • I co-designed, co-implemented and co-evaluated a low-cost affordable Food, Energy, Water Learning Module (FEWLM) Workbooks to disseminate in both formal and informal educational settings. The FEWLM curriculum is published and available to download for free on the on the Quantitative Undergraduate Biology Education and Synthesis (QUBES) hub. These modules have been used to teach STEM to elementary school youth at the Boys and Girls Club of Durham and Orange counties and middle school youth attending the NCA&T/NCCU INCLUDES DISCUSSION STEM Enrichment Summer Camp. The implementation and evaluation of FEWLM is published as an open-source article in the Journal of STEM outreach.• Served as the contact person between the DISCUSSION core team and STEM community outreach collaboratorsPublications:Spence, Porché, Tonya Gerald-Goins, Kimberly Weems, Caesar Jackson, and Gregory Goins. 2021. Food, Energy, Water Learning Module (FEWLM) Workbooks: A Low-Cost Affordable Inquiry-based STEM Curricula. Journal of STEM Outreach. https://doi.org/10.15695/jstem/v4i1.10Curriculum:Spence, Porché, Tonya Gerald-Goins and Greg Goins. 2021. Food, Energy and Water Learning Modules (FEWLM) Workbooks. The DISCUSSION Network, QUBES Educational Resources. DOI: 10.25334/W74F-4064 Show less

  • Adjunct Faculty, Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences

    Aug 2017 - Aug 2023

  • Program Coordinator, NCCU NSF INCLUDES DISCUSSION Program

    Oct 2016 - Sept 2019

  • Adjunct Faculty, Verizon Innovative Learning Summer Program

    Jun 2018 - Jul 2019
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  North Carolina State University

  Sept 2019 - now

  • Perform science education research • Generate online surveys using Qualtrics software • Analyze Data using SPSS 23 Software• Co-write manuscripts for publication and Internal Review Board (IRB) forms • Co-plan and co-organize virtual and in-person SCLP seminars and events • Serve as informal program mentor for the selected cohort of scholars • Create flyers, booklets and other documents to promote SCLP

  • Research Assistant, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources

    Jul 2019 - now

  • Co-Program Director, Scholars for Conservation Leadership Program (SCLP)

    Sept 2019 - Aug 2023
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  North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

  Jan 2020 - now

  • I teach several environmental science and sustainability courses such as Sustainable Earth (ENVS 410), Environmental Sustainability (ENVS 344), Natural Resource Conservation (ENVS 416), Earth Systems Science (ENVS 466), Independent Work in Environmental Studies (ENVS 308), using the Understanding by Design Framework® in an online and/or in-person learning environment to science majors, non-science majors, and agriculture professionals. • I facilitate learning by creating a student-centered, interactive learning environment that prepares students to tackle “real world” issues and reflect on the environmental impact of their everyday life decisions. • As part-time faculty, I design student-centered undergraduate science courses emphasizing systems thinking, the importance of viewing the world from a global, multi-cultural perspective and basing their decisions on sound science. • I teach and advise undergraduate students how to prepare a research proposal of their chosen topic in my Independent Work in Environmental Studies course. Show less

  • Assistant Professor, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design

    Aug 2023 - now

  • Part-Time Faculty, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design

    Jan 2020 - Aug 2023