Dr. Morgan Funkhouser is a food chemist, educator, and STEM education researcher with extensive experience helping college students succeed in general and organic chemistry. She earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry from Penn State and holds undergraduate degrees in both Chemistry and Mathematics, giving her a strong foundation in the quantitative reasoning that underlies many challenging STEM courses. Morgan began tutoring as an undergraduate peer tutor and has continued working both individually and in small groups with students throughout graduate school and her professional career. Over that time, she has privately tutored approximately 80 students, often meeting with students regularly throughout an entire semester rather than only before exams. Morgan has also spent years teaching at the university level. She has served as a teaching assistant and guest lecturer for topics ranging from chemistry to studying and learning to data visualization, and worked with students across different disciplines and levels of experience. Her STEM education research builds directly on her interest in teaching and learning, with a particular focus on how students learn to design and communicate information through data visualizations and how the quality of those visualizations can be assessed. Morgan’s teaching and mentoring experience also extends well beyond the traditional university classroom. She has taught and worked with students in international educational settings, including experiences in Uganda, Japan, and across Europe, where she has helped students connect science to real-world contexts. Working with students from different educational systems and backgrounds has strengthened her ability to adapt explanations and teaching strategies to the individual learner rather than relying on a single approach. Mentorship is another important part of Morgan’s work with students. She has helped undergraduate students navigate opportunities beyond the classroom, including research experiences and preparation for graduate education. She enjoys helping students understand what graduate school entails, identify programs and research areas that align with their interests, draft application materials, and develop the academic and professional skills necessary to take the next step in their education.

Random Fact: Morgan loves going on walks with her puppy, Maggie, and husband, Kyle.