Open to opportunities

Kent McCorkle

@kentmccorkle

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Tenured chemistry instructor and Department Chair who builds engaging, data-driven courses—especially online learning.

United States

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What I'm looking for

I’m looking to lead and teach modern chemistry programs—especially online—where I can develop courses, mentor instructors, and strengthen learning outcomes through rigorous assessment, lab-centered safety practices, and continuous improvement.

I’m a tenured chemistry instructor and Department Chair with a Ph.D. in Inorganic/Organometallic Chemistry, and I’ve spent my career translating deep technical knowledge into clear, student-centered teaching. I bring a strong laboratory mindset, emphasizing safety, technique, and purposeful experiment design.

At MiraCosta College, I’ve taught a wide range of courses—from Chemistry & Society through General Chemistry I/II and allied-health introductory chemistry—using lecturing, guided inquiry, and structured assessment. I develop notes, handouts, PowerPoints, quizzes, exams, and lab materials, and I actively mentor students while supporting student learning outcomes through continuous course improvement.

I also lead change and build modern learning experiences. I developed new courses (including Chemistry & Society and Preparation for General Chemistry), co-created a Certificate of Achievement in Global Studies, and created CHEM 103 as the first online Chemistry course at MiraCosta College—requiring video production, multimodal assessments, interactive discussions, and engaging learning activities via Canvas. I’ve been selected as a collegewide Faculty Online Mentor to train and support online educators.

As Department Chair, I oversee faculty and staff, coordinate hiring, manage schedules, and run department meetings—while ensuring compliance, monitoring curriculum development, evaluating faculty, and coordinating program reviews. During the pandemic, I directed the departmentwide transition to online education and served as Chemistry lead and co-author of the collegewide Chemical Hygiene Plan.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Department Chair

Current

MiraCosta College

Jun 2024 - Present (2 years)

Oversee nine full-time faculty, 25+ adjunct faculty, and five classified staff, including scheduling, hiring coordination, and management of a six-figure budget. Coordinate curriculum development and program reviews, ensure compliance with state and federal directives, and serve as departmental spokesperson.

Budget Management Program Review Compliance Management

Current

Online Chemistry Course Creator

Current

HomeschoolScienceAcademy.com

Aug 2023 - Present (2 years 10 months)

Created an online high school chemistry course with 50+ videos, guided notes, interactive simulations, quizzes, and home-based laboratories. Designed the course for independent learning using engaging, multimodal activities.

Guided Notes Assessment Creation Content Production

Current

Tenured Instructor

Current

MiraCosta College

Aug 2014 - Present (11 years 10 months)

Taught CHEM 103 (Chemistry & Society), CHEM 115 (Introductory Chemistry for Allied Health), CHEM 140, CHEM 150, and CHEM 151 using guided-inquiry instruction, multimedia materials, assessments, grading, and student mentoring. Led lab instruction including safety, techniques, and new experiment development, and contributed to committees, course development, budget priorities, hiring, and student le

Chemistry Instruction Curriculum Development Assessments Laboratory Safety Student Mentoring

Current

Chemistry Video Lecture Creator

Current

GetChemistryHelp.com

Jan 2013 - Present (13 years 5 months)

Created, recorded, and published dozens of freshman chemistry video lectures with accompanying practice problems. Developed and released supporting online notes and PDF worksheets for student self-study.

Chemistry Education Content Practice Problem Authoring Online Notes Development Student Self Study Support Course Content Publishing

Department Chair

MiraCosta College

Jun 2018 - May 2022 (3 years 11 months)

Oversee nine full-time faculty, 25+ adjunct faculty, and five classified staff, including scheduling, hiring coordination, and management of a six-figure budget. Serve as Chemistry lead and co-author for the collegewide Chemical Hygiene Plan, addressing faculty and student issues and ensuring compliance with state and federal directives.

Budget Management Compliance Management Program Review Conflict Resolution Chemical Hygiene Planning

Central Cog Design Founder

Central Cog Design

Feb 2013 - Dec 2019 (6 years 10 months)

Designed and developed mobile-friendly websites and produced/edited audio and video content, integrating social media and discussion forums and membership areas. Managed client work, trained employees, and oversaw operations and day-to-day management.

Website Design Forums Client Management Employee Training Operations Management

Instructor

Fresno City College

Aug 2011 - May 2014 (2 years 9 months)

Taught CHEM 3A (Introductory General Chemistry) and CHEM 101P (Preparation for General Chemistry) with lecture, guided-inquiry, quizzes/exams, grading, and mentoring. Established faculty and student study abroad programs (UK; Sweden/Denmark) and developed CHEM 101P.

General Chemistry Instruction Assessment Design Grading Laboratory Safety Study Abroad Program Development Course Development Student Mentoring Curriculum Planning

Adjunct Professor

Solano Community College

Aug 2010 - Aug 2011 (1 year)

Taught CHEM 160 (Introductory Chemistry) including lecture and laboratory components, as well as the lab portion of CHEM 11. Delivered instruction focused on safety, laboratory techniques, quizzes/exams, grading, and mentoring.

Introductory Chemistry Teaching Laboratory Safety Assessment Design Grading Student Mentoring Lecture Delivery

Assistant/Adjunct Professor

Cosumnes River College

Jun 2006 - May 2011 (4 years 11 months)

Taught beginning and general chemistry courses with lecture, guided-inquiry, quizzes/exams, grading, mentoring, and curriculum development. Contributed to creation of a new chemistry AS-T degree program and chemistry certificate program.

Chemistry Instruction Curriculum Development Student Mentoring AS T Program Development

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Auburn University

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Chemistry

Activities and societies: Specialization: Inorganic/Organometallic Chemistry; Dissertation: An Electrospray Study of Rhodium(I) with Bidentate Phosphines and the Preparation and Characterization of Other Ligands.

Earned a Ph.D. in Chemistry with a focus on inorganic/organometallic chemistry. Dissertation research included an electrospray study of rhodium(I) with bidentate phosphines and the preparation and characterization of other ligands.