CHRISTINE SCHELHAS-MILLER
Department of Human Development 213 Bryant Avenue
Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14850
G01 Martha Van Rensselaer Hall (607) 277-4423
Ithaca, NY 14853 e-mail:
(607) 254-4592
EDUCATION
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Graduate School of Education
Doctor of Education in Human Development, 1988
Recipient of Larsen Fellowship for superior achievement and outstanding research potential.
Dissertation: The Perceived Mutability of Gender-Linked Attributes
Committee: Carol Dweck, Ronald Slaby, Terrence Tivnan
Investigated the hypothesis that individual and sex differences in beliefs about the amount of effort required to change or acquire personal attributes were related to whether the attributes were described as typical of males, typical of females, or gender-neutral.
Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Master of Science in Education, 1977
Specialization in college student personnel administration
Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA
Bachelor of Arts in German, cum laude, 1975
Attended the Institute of European Studies, Vienna, Austria in Summer, 1974
ACADEMIC EMPLOYMENT
Senior Lecturer Fall 01-present
Lecturer Spring 98-Spring 01
Department of Human Development Spring 1994, 95, 96
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
• Taught Introduction to Human Development: Infancy and Childhood, Introduction to Human Development: Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood, and Exploring Human Development.
• Taught seminar for teaching assistants on Teaching Human Development.
• Selected and supervised up to 50 graduate and undergraduate teaching assistants in a given year.
• Coordinated discussion sections, assisted teaching assistants in developing section content, and supervised grading for an introductory course in human development (350 students), an upper level course in human bonding (800 students) and an introductory course in adolescent development (300 students).
· Assistant Director of Undergraduate Studies (Acting Director, Fall, 2006), assisted Director of Undergraduate Studies in coordinating undergraduate education and advising (Spring 02, department received Carpenter award for advising program).
· Served as academic advisor for 25 students each year.
Honors and Awards, Academic Employment
Kendall S. Carpenter Memorial Advising Award, Cornell University, 2010
SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching for the College of Human Ecology, 2001
Recognition by Merrill Presidential Scholar as most influential Cornell faculty member, 2001
ADMINISTRATIVE EMPLOYMENT
Director of Carol Tatkon Center and 2003-2005
Associate Dean of Students
Dean of Students Office
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
∙ Oversaw New Student Programs, which include the Carol Tatkon Center, New Student Orientation, Family Orientation and publications, and First-Year Family Weekend. Coordinated the first-year experience across seven undergraduate colleges and numerous student services offices.
∙ Developed and managed a new Center for 3000 first-year students designed to bridge their academic and residential experience. Collaborated with more than 85 departments each year to host courses, teaching assistant drop-in hours, review sessions, and programs to foster academic success, cultural and intellectual engagement, and positive well-being.
∙ Supervised Assistant Dean of Students, Program Coordinator, and 20 student staff and managed budget of $300,000.
∙ Raised funds for operation of Center working through Development staff to reach alumni and parents.
∙ Served on and/or chaired University committees, including Community Development Internal Review Committee, Off-Campus Housing Task Force, and First Year Experience Executive Committee and Program Planning and Coordinating Committee. As senior staff member in Dean of Students Office, assisted with university-wide events, such as Slope Day, Dragon Day, and Senior Week.
Assistant Director for Arts and Sciences 1989-98
University Career Center
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
• Assisted in coordination of career program for 4000 students in College of Arts and Sciences.
• Provided advising and developed programs for Arts and Sciences students seeking jobs and admission to graduate schools.
• Worked with department chairpersons, directors of undergraduate studies, key faculty, and Dean's office staff to organize career programs using employers and alumni.
• Prepared written materials and publications regarding the relationship between a liberal arts education and careers.
• Developed and coordinated an Extern Program in which students shadow alumni in
their workplaces during January Break.
• Conducted focus groups identifying and probing students' attitudes about careers and career services and performed content analysis of transcripts of focus groups.
Served on interview and endorsement committees for Rhodes and Marshall scholarships.
Coordinator of Academic Advising 1985-89
School of Humanities and Sciences
Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY
• Coordinated an academic advising program for 2700 liberal arts students.
Supervised one full-time and two part-time academic counselors.
• Wrote advisor's handbook and presented workshops for faculty advisors.
• Worked with faculty committees to decide students' academic status and to improve advising program.
• Developed and implemented a course (11 sections) to help freshmen make the transition to college.
• Counseled students about academic matters including withdrawing from and returning to college and choosing courses, majors, and careers.
• Reviewed requests for exceptions to academic policies.
• Admitted students transferring within the college and reviewed admissions decisions for entering freshmen and transfer students.
• Coordinated academic advising during summer orientation and served on the Orientation Steering Committee.
• Developed a series of programs to inform liberal arts majors about career options.
• Received 1988 National Academic Advising Association Award for excellence in the field of academic advising.
Senior Adviser/Assistant Dean of Freshmen 1984-85
Freshman Dean's Office
Harvard College, Cambridge, MA
• Served as dean for 300 freshmen; responsible for academic advising, personal counseling, discipline and room assignments.
• Represented students at the Administrative Board of Harvard College in both academic and disciplinary matters.
• Supervised staff of eleven resident proctors and fifteen non-resident advisers.
Assistant Dean of Students and 1979-83
Advisor to Fraternities and Sororities
Office of the Dean of Students
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
• Advised 60 fraternities and sororities (3700 students) and their governing boards on policies, programs, finances, publications, judicial matters, and planning for university-wide events.
• As Cornell spokesperson on fraternity and sorority issues, managed relations with the press, the Ithaca community and other universities.
• Hired and supervised graduate assistants, developed and implemented campus-wide student activities policies, and chaired campus-wide committees to implement new state laws.
• Counseled students, responded to campus emergencies, conducted institutional research, and performed administrative tasks as assigned by the Dean and Vice President.
Adminstrative Intern 1982-83
Office of the Dean, College of Human Ecology
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
• Interviewed students, participated on the selection committee, and recruited students for Admissions Office.
• Wrote student employment guide for Career Services office.
• Carried out special projects in academic administration and student services.
Residence Coordinator 1977-79
Department of Residence Life
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
• Directed and managed student programs and physical plant operations for two undergraduate residence halls with 450 students.
• Administered $500,000 budget and supervised 20-member staff.
• Counseled students and intervened in crises.
Assistant Coordinator 1976-77
Department of Residence Life
Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
• Co-directed student programs and provided counseling for residence hall of 1250 undergraduates.
• Supervised seven resident assistants.
• Advised residence hall student government and developed and implemented training for 25 resident assistants.
PUBLICATIONS
Johnson, H. E., & Schelhas-Miller, C. (2000). Don’t tell me what to do, just send money: The essential parenting guide to the college years. New York: St. Martin’s Griffin.
Schelhas-Miller, C. (1998). The body project discussion guide. New York: Vintage Books.
SAMPLE OF INVITED TALKS AND CONSULTATIONS
From supervisor to consultant: The changing role of parents during the college years. Presented for Young President’s Organization. Wellesley, MA. October, 2010 and Tarrytown, NY. October, 2008.
Career development panel for Cornell Student and Academic Services Summer Intern Experience. Ithaca, NY. July, 2010.
How developmental issues compare and contrast for high school and college students. Presented to Cornell Summer College Residential Community Advisors and Interns. Ithaca, NY. June, 2009.
Consultant for MyStudentBody: Parent Program, a website for parents of college students. Inflexxion. 2008-09.
When I was your age, I was an adult. Presented for President’s Council of Cornell Women. Ithaca, NY. March, 2008.
Don’t Tell Me What To Do, Just Send Money: What Every Parent Should Know to Survive the College Years. Presented for Cornell Family Orientation, Cornell Human Resources Lifecycles Workshop and videotaped for Human Development Outreach and Extension website. Ithaca, NY. August, 2007.
Guiding your college student. Presentation to employee parents for Cornell Human Resources Lifecycles Workshop in Ithaca, NY, and broadcast as a videoconference to three Cornell Cooperative Extension sites in Monroe county, Jefferson county, and New York City. December, 2006.
Adolescent development. Presented for Cornell Professional Development Day for Teachers, sponsored by the Associate Provost for Outreach. Ithaca, NY. March, 2006.
Just for parents. Cornell orientation presentation for parents of new students. Dean of Students Office, Cornell University. Ithaca, NY. January, 2003, 2002, 2001; August, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001.
The Cornell freshman experience: What every parent and student should know to survive the college years. Presentation to Cornell alumni clubs in Long Island, NY in 2007; Charlotte, NC and Binghamton, NY in 2005; Syracuse, NY in 2004; Philadelphia, PA and Long Island, NY in 2003; and to the Cornell Parent Committee in 2005.
Adolescent development and career development. Presentation to Cornell Career Services staff. Ithaca, NY. November, 2005
Parent involvement during the college years and implications for college student development. Presentation to Student and Academic Services Committee of the Cornell Council (alumni). Ithaca, NY. October, 2005.
Panelist, Family weekend panel for parents, College of Human Ecology, Cornell University. Ithaca, NY. October, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2005, 2002, November, 2001, 2000.
Tips for parenting your preteen. Trumansburg Middle School Parent Teacher Organization. Trumansburg, NY. February, 2005.
Development in middle and high school students. Graduate student seminar for NSF-funded Cornell Science Inquiry Partnership, Cornell University. Ithaca, NY. September, 2004 and October, 2005.
Developmental issues for college students. Teaching Assistant training for the College of Engineering, Cornell University. Ithaca, NY. July, 2004 and October, 2005.
Transition to the first-year of college. Human Development Research Update for Extension Educators. Ithaca, NY. June, 2004.
Developmental needs of college students and characteristics of today’s students. Student Activities Office Retreat, Cornell University. Ithaca, NY. June, 2004.
Developmental needs of first-year students. Staff development presentation for Gannett Health Center, Cornell University. Ithaca, NY. January, 2004.
Consultant for Duke University, Duke First-Year Experience, Durham, NC, March, 2004.
Developmental transitions during the college years. Staff development presentation for staff in the Division of Student and Academic Services, Cornell University. Ithaca, NY. November, 2002.
Enhancing the experience. First year family weekend keynote talk, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. October, 2002.
Living with and without your collegian. Presentation for Cornell employees for the Department of Human Resources Life Cycles Program, Cornell University. Ithaca, NY. August 2002, 2001.
Don’t tell me what to do, just send money: The essential parenting guide to the college years. A chats in the stacks book talk, Mann Library, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. March, 2002.
How parents and teachers can remove barriers and foster success for adolescent girls. Boynton Middle School Equity Committee presentation for parents and teachers. Ithaca, NY. March, 2001.
What parents and teachers should know about development in older teens. The Lakeside School. Seattle, WA. March, 2001.
Dealing with baby boomer parents and their children: Insights for student affairs professionals. Preconference workshop at NASPA, Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, national conference. Seattle, WA. March, 2001
Communication with older teens. Ithaca High School Parent Teacher Association. Ithaca, NY. March, 2001.
Developmental transitions during the college years. Staff development presentation for student services staff in the College of Engineering, Cornell University. Ithaca, NY. February, 2001.
Parents as partners: New ways to involve parents during the college years. Computer-based national e-colloquium for NASPA, Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. January, 2001.
How to manage your relationship with your parents. Faculty fellow talk to students in Donlon Hall, Cornell University. Ithaca, NY. September, 2000.
Issues facing adolescent girls today and Removing barriers and fostering success for adolescent girls. Two talks presented as keynote speaker at Youth at the Crossroads: Crisis or Growing Pains? Implications for the Helping Professions: a conference for social workers, nurses, educators, church leaders, psychologists, and policy makers sponsored by MetroHealth Medical Center. Cleveland, OH. May, 2000
What teachers need to know about adolescent development. Presentation to faculty at Northfield Mount Hermon. Northfield, MA. January, 2000.
What parents need to know about adolescent development. Presentation to parents at Northfield Mount Hermon. Northfield, MA. October, 1999.
Adolescent development. Presentation to house directors at Northfield Mount Hermon. Northfield, MA. August, 1999.
Being smart is a great start, but it’s not enough. Keynote speaker, Kappa Omicron Nu National Honor Society, College of Human Ecology, Cornell University. Ithaca, NY. November, 1998.
ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
· Served as chair of College of Human Ecology Academic Status Committee
· Served as chair of College of Human Ecology Academic Integrity Hearing Board
· Served as member of Human Ecology Educational Policy Committee
· Served as faculty fellow for Baker Court Residence Halls and for Mary Donlon Hall, Cornell University.
· Served as member of Cornell Freshman Experience Committee, providing Cornell Dean of Students with program and policy recommendations.
· Presented papers at national and regional conferences on academic advising and student affairs.
· Organized and presented workshops, conferences, and lectures at Harvard University, Cornell University, and Ithaca College.
· Designed and wrote booklets and newsletters at Cornell University and Ithaca College.
· Instructed credit and non-credit courses for student leaders, resident assistants, and orientation assistants at Indiana University.
· Advised Cornell chapter of Alpha Lambda Delta, national freshman scholastic honor society.
· Served as resident adviser at Bucknell University, Indiana University, and Harvard University.
· Performed tutoring and resident advising for minority women (mainly African American) enrolled in a summer, pre-freshman, educational support program for disadvantaged students at Indiana University.