Daniel Collins
Instructional Associate Professor
I am in my eighth year teaching at Texas A&M University after teaching at the University of South Carolina and Florida State. My teaching responsibilities include CHEM 227 Organic Chemistry I and has previously taught all of the General Chemistry courses in the First-Year Program (FYP). These courses are the foundation of our undergraduate studies, numerous majors and pre-professional programs. I enjoy helping students transition through these pre-requisite courses and into the intended areas of study.
Outside of teaching those courses, I have been active in the Department of Chemistry’s Hullabaloo U program, a first-year course designed to help incoming students with the transition to college students by giving them tips on study skills and time management, building community within their major, and helps discuss the possible issues and concerns of a new undergraduate student.
My current chemical education research activities include the use of different homework platforms and educational tools inside and outside of the classroom, the use of "Trouble Topic Videos" for students to remediate and reinforce sticking points throughout the semester, and diversifying the types of organic chemistry content found in his course.
I am a faculty member for the College of Science to the Aggie Honor Council for the past 6 years, the University Discipline Appeals Panel for the past 4 years, and the University Academic Appeals Panel for the past 3 years. These panels help the university community by overseeing the academic behavior, standards and regulations, and student conduct and Title IX regulations at Texas A&M. I was also a Faculty Senator from 2018-2019 and 2021 to present, and a Faculty Senate Executive Committee member from 2019-2020 and 2021-to present. The Faculty Senate is charged with helping promote shared governance between the administration and faculty at Texas A&M on various academic and professional issues.
In September of 2022, I was named Co-Director of Outreach for the Department of Chemistry. Our goal is to expand our events to help inspire, engage, and educate the next generation of up-and-coming STEM student. I have been a Question Reader and Science Judge for the Department of Energy (DOE) Junior and High School Science Bowls, hosted by Texas A&M, since 2016. I also enjoy being a judge for the Texas Junior Science and Humanities Symposium, Texas Junior Academy of Science, and Texas Science and Engineering Fair (TXSEF), which gives high school students the opportunity to present their research projects to A&M faculty and graduate students. I also have the distinction of being the Department of Chemistry Mole Mascot since 2015.
Outside of my work with the Department of Chemistry, I am an avid sports fan (GO CUBS!), runner, dog dad to Penny, cat dad to Stella, Dottie, Meredith Gray, and Leonard, Little League Baseball and Softball and PGA Tour volunteer.