Cara Theisen
PhD
Director of Professional Development in Teaching & Learning
Room 104D
445 Henry Mall
Madison, WI 53706
About
I’m committed to helping instructors and students thrive in STEM through inclusive, research‑informed teaching. With a background in geobiology and geoscience education, I bring scientific expertise and authentic teaching experience to my work supporting STEM teaching and learning. As Director of Professional Development in Teaching and Learning at WISCIENCE, I run programs that prepare instructors to teach inclusively and effectively, and I teach courses that support student learning, connection, and leadership within STEM.
My current work spans a wide range of STEM education initiatives, including first-year seminars that support students’ transition into STEM, TA training and instructor development, workshops and courses on inclusive STEM teaching, and efforts that strengthen support for transfer students. I direct the Scientific Teaching Fellows program, the Exploring Biology first-year seminar, and additional courses focused on STEM teaching and peer leadership. I’m also a co-author of the forthcoming second edition of Scientific Teaching and have published and presented on graduate student instructor development, active learning, and inclusive curriculum design. Before coming to UW–Madison, I supported faculty and graduate instructors at UC Davis through TA training and online/hybrid course development in the Center for Educational Effectiveness.
When I’m not working, I’m happiest outdoors—hiking, biking, swimming, and exploring Wisconsin with my family!
Publications
Theisen, C.H. (2026). Centering Transfer Students in Educational Development: A Lens for Inclusive Teaching. Journal of Diversity and Equity in Educational Development, 2(1).
Hall, B. W., Menon, M. V., & Theisen, C. (2026). Campus Food Webs: Engaging Students With Participatory Science and Biology Core Concepts. CourseSource 13.
Macchiavelli-Girón, S., Caudill, E. R., & Theisen, C. (2024). Defining Life: Exploring Creativity, Scientific Discovery, and Biology Core Concepts in a Disciplinary First-Year Seminar. CourseSource.
Sancheznieto, F., Lucas, L., & Theisen, C. (2023). Discovery and Invention: A Reflection on Representation in Science. CourseSource 10.
Theisen, C., Paul, C. A., & Roseler, K. (2022). Fostering Reflective Teaching: Using the Student Participation Observation Tool (SPOT) to Promote Active Instructional Approaches in STEM, 51(4), 35-45. Journal of College Science Teaching.
Holzhausen, E., Fitz-Henley, J., & Theisen, C. (2022). Online Information Literacy: Applying the CRAAP Test to Vaccine (Mis)information. Course Source 9.
Branchaw, J., Theisen, C., & Trimby, C. (2020). Leveraging a Graduate Student Teaching Fellows Program to Enhance Undergraduate Education. Approaches to Graduate Student Instructor Development and Preparation, 2020(163), 73-82. New Directions for Teaching and Learning.
Theisen, C., Modell, A., Muñoz, Y., & Saichaie, K. (2020). Peer Teaching Consultants: Design Principles for Instructional Development and Program Alignment. Approaches to Graduate Student Instructor Development and Preparation, 2020(163). New Directions for Teaching and Learning.
Saichaie (Editor), K., & Theisen (Editor), C. (2020). Editors’ Notes. Approaches to Graduate Student Instructor Development and Preparation, 2020(163). New Directions for Teaching and Learning.
Roseler, K., Paul, C. A., Felton, M., & Theisen, C. (2018). Observable Features of Active Science Education Practices, 47(6), 83-91. Journal of College Science Teaching.