Susan Geer

Susan M. Geer, Ed.D.

Assistant Professor of - Physics Physics and Engineering Program Lead

Profile

About Professor Geer

Dr. Susan Geer is an Assistant Professor and the Physics & Engineering Program Lead dedicated to advancing the Roberts Wesleyan mission through the lens of Enrollment Management, Retention, and Physics Education Research (PER). With over 20 years of experience as a Research Scientist at Eastman Kodak, she bridges the gap between theoretical physics and real-world industrial application.


Dr. Geer is the architect of the "First-Year Retention Ecosystem" at Roberts, utilizing a scaffolded mentorship model to foster an equitable learning community where students develop the character and technical proficiency required for the modern workplace.

A Journey of Faith and Science


A native of Western New York, Susan’s path to the classroom was forged in the laboratories of
industry. Before entering academia, she spent 23 years as a Research Scientist in the Kodak
Research Labs, specializing in Chemometrics and Molecular Modeling. A 1984 U.S. Patent in
sodium-selective compositions serves as a foundational milestone in Dr. Geer’s long-standing
career of technical excellence and innovative problem-solving in both the industrial and
academic sectors.

In 2005, Sue followed a calling to transition her expertise into the classroom, first through
Homeschooling, then serving as the Physics and Mathematics Department Chair at Northstar
Christian Academy. Her passion for Christian education spans across all levels—from college
and high school to mentoring her home-schooled grandchildren. Her mission at Roberts
Wesleyan is to enthusiastically motivate students to reach higher levels of learning, mastering the
mathematical and physical methods that will support them in the workplace. She views scientific
discovery not as a secular pursuit, but as a sacred one that reveals the "mathematical machinery"
of God’s creation.

Family remains a cornerstone of Sue’s life. She has been married to her husband, Kevin, for 45
years, and together they have four children (including twin sons who graduated from Roberts in
2023), two sons-in-law, and four grandchildren.

Courses Taught

Dr. Geer manages the Physics and Engineering "Strategic Pipeline" architecting a curriculum that moves students from foundational inquiry to advanced computational and theoretical
analysis.

Physics & Engineering

  • PHYS 1001/1002: General Physics I & II (with Lab)
  • PHYS 1100: Survey of Engineering (Vocational Seminar)
  • PHYS 2001/2002: Physics for Engineers and Scientists I & II (with Lab)
  • PHYS 2003: Modern Physics Laboratory
  • PHYS 2110/2120: Statics & Electric Circuits
  • PHYS 3220/4030: Physical Optics & Quantum Mechanics (with Lab)
  • PHYS 3000/4500: Structured Study & Internship

Mathematics, Natural Science & Computer Science

  • MATH 1085: Precalculus
  • MATH 2281/2282: Calculus I & II
  • CSCI 1120/1180: Excel & MATLAB for Science and Engineering
  • NSCI 1200: General Astronomy (with Lab)
  • Additional undergraduate and adult ed. courses, including Educational Mathematics,
    Statistics & Research Methods, and Physical Science & Topical courses.
Cox Hall

Education

  • Ed.D. in STEM Education | University of Pittsburgh
  • Graduate Physics & Quantum Theory | SUNY Buffalo State & University of Texas at Arlington
    -Successfully completed 22 graduate credits in Modern and Quantum Physics to deepen disciplinary expertise alongside doctoral research.
  • Master of Arts in Mathematics | Texas Tech University
  • Master of Arts in Reading | Clarks Summit University
  • Master of Science in Education | Clarks Summit University
  • Bachelor of Science in Chemistry | State University of New York at Geneseo
  • Research & Featured Initiatives
  • Dissertation of Practice: Dr. Geer’s doctoral research, Scaffolded Support of Physics Problem-Solving to Encourage Physics, Engineering, and Mathematics Majors toward Authentic Problem-Solving and Community, established an evidence-based framework
    for student success, increasing program retention levels to exceed national averages.
  • Elite Engineering Pathways: Modernized the RIT Articulation Agreements in collaboration with RIT leadership to secure 3+2 and 4+2 pathways for RWU students to earn B.S., M.Eng., and M.S. degrees.
  • Quantum for All (NSF #2048691): Collaborates with the University of Texas at Arlington to translate Quantum Mechanics theory into inquiry-based modules for high school and college students.
  • RWU STEM Summer Camp: Launched and directed the curriculum for the university's
    inaugural STEM summer camp initiative, serving as a recruitment vehicle and pedagogical laboratory.
  • Harvard PoLS-T Network (NSF #2224227): Engages with national peers to improve physics access and develop novel demonstrations for community engagement.
  • Industry Partnerships: Realigning the Physics major to support local optics and photonics leaders such as L3Harris, Optimax, and Kodak.

Sample Publications

  • McLaughlin, D. R., Geer, S. M. (contributor). (1999). The wired laboratory. In Impact of
    Advances in Computing and Communications Technologies on Chemical Science and
    Technology (pp. 154-170). https://doi.org/10.17226/9591

  • Goodgame, M. M., & Geer, S. M. (1993). HMQCJFIT - Software for analyzing HMQC-J
    spectra. Journal of Magnetic Resonance - Series A, 102, 246-248. https://doi.org/10.1006/jmra.1993.1099

  • Wadsworth, D. H., Geer, S. M., & Detty, M. R. (1987). Preparation of arylpropiolate esters from
    trichlorocyclopropenium cation and elaboration of the esters to unsymmetrical 1,4- pentadiyn-3-ones and unsymmetrical tellurapyranones. Journal of Organic Chemistry, 52(16), 3662-3668. https://doi.org/10.1021/jo00392a031

  • Detty, M. R., Luss, H. R., McKelvey, J. M., & Geer, S. M. (1986). 12-Te-5 pertelluranes from
    1,2-oxatellurolyl-1-ium halides. Synthesis, structure, and reactivity. The quest for delocalization in 10-Te-3 telluranes and 12-Te-5 pertelluranes of thiathiophthene structure. Journal of Organic Chemistry, 51(10), 1692-1700. https://doi.org/10.1021/jo00360a012

  • Toner, J. L., Daniel, D. S., & Geer, S. M. (1984). Hemispherands and sodium-selective
    compositions and electrodes containing same. U.S. Patent No. 4,476,007. Washington,
    DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

  • Smith, R. F., Coffman, K. J., & Geer, S. M. (1983). Amidrazones. 8 (1). Synthesis of 1,2,4-
    oxdiazoles by thermolysis of N3-acylamidrazone ylides. Journal of Heterocyclic Chemistry, 20(1), 69-71. https://doi.org/10.1002/JHET.5570200116

  • Smith, R. F., Soelch, R. R., Feltz, T. P., Martinelli, M. J., & Geer, S. M. (1981). Amidrazones.VII (1a). Formation of s-triazines by thermolysis of N1-benzyl-substituted amidrazone ylides. Journal of Heterocyclic Chemistry, 18 (2), 319-325.

    https://doi.org/10.1002/JHET.5570180218