Dara Dirhan

Dara Dirhan
  • Associate Professor
  • Department: Nutrition
  • Institution: West Chester University of Pennsylvania
  • Email: DDirhan@wcupa.edu

Education

  • 2016 Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Management Drexel University
  • 2012 Master of Public Health West Chester University
  • 2010 Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics West Chester University

Research Interests

Nutrition EducationSelf-Perceptions

Opportunities

Work Study Positions Available: No

Grant Funded Positions Available: No

Course-Credit Research Opportunities Available: No

Volunteer Research Positions Available: No

Biography

Effective educators have been paramount in my educational journey. Modeling that effectiveness to my students has been my primary goal as an instructor. Since the start of my own undergraduate studies at WCU, over sixteen years ago, I have had countless WCU faculty mentors who have shaped me into the educator I am today. Since the start of my teaching career as an adjunct instructor at WCU over nine years ago, I have taught nutrition at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Teaching is a fine balance between tough-mindedness and tender-heartedness. I strive for effective teaching by clarifying my course expectations, holding students to the highest standards, yet at the same time displaying warmth, care, and concern. Creating this atmosphere in the classroom is very important to me because I want all of my students to feel like my classroom is a safe and inclusive space for interaction and mutual respect.

Contact Information

Phone: 610-436-2528

List of Publications

  • Dirhan, D. & Walz, S. (2022). Nutrition Educators: Advocating for Introductory Nutrition General Education Courses. The Educator’s Resource. 78(2), 6-9. Dirhan, D. & Walz, S. (2021) Making the Case for Nutrition as a Gen Ed Course. Virtual presentation at the 2021 Ohio NDEP Annual Conference, November 19, 2021. Dirhan, D., & Sarcona, A. (2021). Students’ Self-Perceptions of Mindfulness after learning Mindfulness Techniques in a Professional Skills Course. 2021 International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd) Conference Proceedings. Dirhan, D., & Sarcona, A. (2021). Students’ Self-Perceptions of Mindfulness after Learning Mindfulness Techniques in a Professional Skills Course. Oral presentation at the 2021 HEA’d Virtual Conference, June 22-23, 2021, Valencia, Spain. Dirhan, D., & Sarcona, A. (2020). Students’ Self-Perceptions of Mindfulness after learning Mindfulness Techniques in a Professional Skills Course. Oral presentation at the 2020 Contemplative Practices in Higher Education Conference, March 5-7, 2020, Roanoke, VA. Sarcona, A., Dirhan, D., & Davidson, P. (2019). An Overview of Audio and Written Feedback from Students’ and Instructors’ Perspective. Educational Media International. Dirhan, D., & Sarcona, A. (2019). Self-Efficacy in Counseling with Service Learning. Academic Exchange Quarterly. Winter 2019. Dirhan, D., & Holik, M. (2019). Shake Up Classroom Design and Teach to the Modern Student. Oral presentation at the 2019 International Society for Exploring Teaching and Learning Conference, October 10 – 12, 2019, Charlotte, NC. Dirhan D. (2019). Using Kahoot in the College Classroom. 2019 Hawaii International Conferences Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, & Education Conference Proceedings. Dirhan, D. (2019). Using Kahoot in the College Classroom. Oral presentation at the Hawaii University International Conferences Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences & Education (AHSE) Conference, January 3-5, 2019, Honolulu, HI.

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