Leadership
I am a fast thinker and a problem-solver. These are my main modes of operation, meaning I often unintentionally see how things can be done better, faster, and more efficiently. I strive under creative pressure. I am also genuinely curious about other people's ideas and always take into account the expertise of others. This combination led me to many leadership roles, such as the founder of the after-school Science and Math program, Faculty Development Coordinator, Peer Mentor, Assessment Chair, American Chemical Society local chapter Chair, HLC Accreditation faculty liaison, and many more.
Founder of the Girls' Science and Math Academy
When I started teaching full-time, I realized that many students are not prepared for college as well as we'd like. And not just academically but also self-esteem, not belonging, and inequity contributed to it. Being a problem-solver, I offered to start a year-round after-school Science and Math Academy for minority high-school girls from multiple Milwaukee public schools. And I did! Most of the girls who participated in the program improved not only their science and math comprehension but also 95% of them went on to college! Actually, the first cohort of participants graduated from college in the Spring of 2020. Although I was a founder of the program, I left it when I switched employment, but it is still growing and is well-known program in the community.
"The Alverno Girls’ Academy of Science and Mathematics: Holistic and Discovery-based Science" written by Elizabeth Gamillo, who was one of the Academy's first cohort participants and now is a science journalist and an MIT graduate.
“Dina has a presence in communal academic settings, illustrative of openness to others and their perspectives, and commitment to the issues and tasks at hand, with the same degree of inquiry and involvement that she brings to all she does. She reaches across branches of the college as a whole, e.g. the education of Hispanic high school students and the grant writing necessary to obtain funding; preparing and making a visit and teaching experience, with her chemistry students, to a high school chemistry class on Community Day. Dina’s accomplishments point to her continued positive impact on the present and future directions of the valuing department and of the physical sciences, especially in the chemistry department. Her generosity of spirit, of time and service characterize her presence among us. As a highly valued colleague, dedicated to her profession and committed to her students and their learning, she is a source of admiration and inspiration.” – Margaret Earley, Ph.D., Professor Emerita, Alverno College
"The Girls' Academy is an after school program for high school junior and senior level first generation girls.. The program enrolls over 100 students per year with 90% being first generation Hispanic girls who have been selected by their high schools for their strong performance and aptitude in science. Ms. Borysenko originally proposed the idea for the Girls' Academy as a way for students to get additional preparation in the sciences before they start college. Ms. Borysenko saw the need for such a program after seeing many of her first year college students struggling with their introductory chemistry courses. She believed if students could have additional education during high school they would be better prepared when starting college... The Girls' Academy program is just one example of the creative leadership Ms. Borysenko displays throughout all of her work as a college educator." - Justin LaManna, Ph.D., Professor, Alverno College
"Dina is a colleague at Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC). We are both faculty and members of a center that provides support to other faculty at the college. Dina works tirelessly on new initiatives at MATC by becoming a member of various committees and often taking the lead in the committees. Her work ethic is strong and her passion for teaching and supporting students is impressive." - Yvette Ardis, M.S., Early Childhood Education Instructor, MATC
"I have had the privilege of being Dina Borysenko’s associate dean for the past four years. During that time, she has consistently shown an exceptional ability to innovate, a passionate commitment to her students, and an outstanding work ethic that has helped her to excel in all that she does. She has further consistently stepped up to take on leadership roles among her peers and work to promote and implement change in a very complex and challenging environment. She is an asset to MATC and we are lucky to have her." - Michael Jenkins, Ph.D., MATC
Faculty Liaison for the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Accreditation
Fully responsible for the Assessment of Learning criteria of the HLC argument.
Competency-based Education Liaison
Several years ago, I was asked to served as a Competency-Based Education liaison for the MATC School of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Career Essentials Task Force Leader
Currently, I am leading an initiative for reviewing and revising criteria and indicators for Student Learning Assessments, which are MATC's Institutional Outcomes (a.k.a. Career Essentials). This is a huge undertaking since Career Essentials are assessed in every course and in every program.
Committee work
During my teaching career, I've been involved in numerous initiatives and committees:
Continuous Quality Improvement (MATC)
Technology Committee (Alverno College)
Innovation Committee (MATC)
Resources for single-parents students (MATC)
The 21st-Century Classroom skills Committee (MATC)
Open Educational Resources (MATC)
Online Education Council (MATC)
Learn Pillar Integration Committee (MATC)
DEI: audit of Instruction and Assessment practices (MATC)
Community Art Committee (MATC)
An award-winning winning Valuing in Decision Making Ability department (Alverno College).
Standard Operating Procedure for the Continuous Quality Improvement (MATC).