Georgia Southern senior physics lecturer chosen for Governor’s Teaching Fellows Academic Year Program
Erica Hillsnipe, senior lecturer of physics in the College of Science and Mathematics’ Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Physics at Georgia Southern University, is one of only 16 candidates selected to participate in the2026-27 Governor’s Teaching Fellows (GTF) Academic Year Program in Georgia. The program equips higher education faculty members with the knowledge and skills to leverage the latest technologies and instructional tools to develop innovative teaching strategies for diverse classrooms.
“I am pretty excited about the opportunity,” Hillsnipe said. “I was unsure, at first, if I would have a chance to be part of the program with so many knowledgeable and talented applicants, but I do care a lot about teaching. With support from my colleagues and our Faculty Center, I was honored to be chosen by Georgia Southern as well as the program.”
Each year, GTF selects outstanding higher education faculty members from institutions across Georgia for the program. Hillsnipe’s dedication to teaching before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic highlights her commitment to creating unique, innovative teaching methods throughout her decade of service to the University. In 2024, Hillsnipe worked with multiple University faculty members to publish research on student learning outcomes in a post-pandemic world, “From Crisis to Resilience: Pandemic Perspectives on College Student Experiences, Motivation and Self-Regulated Learning.”
“The pandemic was challenging for both students and teachers in the classroom,” Hillsnipe said. “It made me rethink the methods I used to help each student understand complex physics topics remotely. However, it also pushed me to continue creating custom teaching strategies for each new group of students every year. I thought, ‘How can I make a discipline with such an intimidating reputation something palatable and approachable?’ and learned how to adapt quickly.”
In addition to publishing student-focused research, Hillsnipe also has been recognized for her teaching excellence at Georgia Southern with the 2024 Excellence in Teaching Award from the College of Science and Mathematics.
Starting September 2026, Hillsnipe looks forward to participating in the GTF program and continuing to build a greater understanding of classroom management and student learning opportunities to better accommodate the University’s growing student population.
“I love having a student-centered approach to teaching, and I want to learn more about how instructors are approaching larger classroom sizes without sacrificing that individualized approach to supporting students,” Hillsnipe explained.
Hosted by the Louise McBee Institute of Higher Education at the University of Georgia, GTF unites faculty from across Georgia to redesign frequently taught courses, develop leadership skills and master emerging technologies in their unique fields to enhance their understanding of the classroom.
“I am thrilled to meet with other faculty members who share my passion for teaching,” Hillsnipe added. “I want to keep my future students excited and engaged – even if there are a lot more of them than there are of me.”