Ann J Colgan

Ann J Colgan
  • Professor
  • Director: Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Advisor: Exploratory Studies
  • Department: University College
  • Institution: West Chester University of Pennsylvania
  • Email: acolgan@wcupa.edu

Education

  • MEd, Rivier University
  • BA in Anthropology, WCU
  • Doctorate in Jewish Education and Jewish History at Gratz College

Research Interests

Interdisciplinary StudiesAcademic communicationJewish HistoryAmerican Jewish History, Judaism

Opportunities

Work Study Positions Available: No

Grant Funded Positions Available: No

Course-Credit Research Opportunities Available: No

Volunteer Research Positions Available: No

Biography

Dr. Colgan is an alumna of WCU, with a BA in Anthropology. She earned an MEd from Rivier University in NH and a doctorate in Jewish Education and Jewish History at Gratz College. She taught high school history for years as well as worked at WCU’s Learning Assistance and Resource Center. She has been an academic advisor since 2007 and Director of Interdisciplinary Studies since 2018. She enjoys working with students to help them determine the best path to their goals. Applying philosophies of dialogic advising and constructivism, she engages students as individuals experiencing and drafting their own life stories.

Contact Information

Phone: 610-436-3544

List of Publications

  • Colgan, A. L. (2021, December). Channeling advisor amusement to support student success. Academic Advising Today, 44(4). https://nacada.ksu.edu/Resources/Academic-Advising-Today/View-Articles/Channeling-Advisor-Amusement-to-Support-Student-Success.aspx
  • “Creating Interdisciplinary Thinkers: Teaching Students to Breach the Boundaries” Jan. 2023 Invited zoom presentation to Interdisciplinary Studies Simposia, Chile. Described the evolution of WCU’s IDS programs, courses, assignments, and assessed student learning outcomes
  • Colgan, A. (Fall 2019). “Call for a paradigm shift in institutional communication norms.” Journal of Access, Retention & Inclusion in Higher Education, 2, pp. 18-25. https://digitalcommons.wcupa.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1018&context=jarihe
  • Colgan, A. (Fall 2017). “That’s not what I said:” Communication gaps in advising. The Mentor. https://dus.psu.edu/mentor/2017/10/that%E2%80%99s-not-what-i-said-communication-gaps-in-advising/