J. Patrick Biddix, Ph.D.
research | assess | educate | learn
"For understanding is neither about things that are always and are unchangeable, nor about any and every one of the things that come into being, but about things which may become subjects of questioning and deliberation." (Aristotle, 350 BCE)
I believe in being a student not only of what I teach, but also of how I teach it. I believe learners should be challenged, yet feel supported by their confidence in me as a guide. I work to promote higher-ordered thinking, theory-to-practice application, data synthesis and research skills, and professional communication.
About Me
I am an associate professor of higher education at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. I teach courses in research design, assessment, statistics, history, academic life, and technology use in the US postsecondary education context. My research focuses primarily on co-curricular college outcomes and student use of technology in higher education. I enjoy co-learning with students, designing and conducting research, and collaborating in international venues. I received a 2015-2016 Fulbright Award to conduct digital literacy research at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Education (2006)
Concentration in Higher EducationUniversity of Missouri – St. Louis
Graduate Certificate, Institutional Research (2005)
University of Missouri – St. Louis (AIR, NCES)
Master of Arts (M.A.), Higher Education (2003)The University of Mississippi
Bachelor of Arts (B.A), Classical Civilization (2001)
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Experience
Associate Professor of Higher Education
2011 to Present
The University of Tennessee, KnoxvilleAssociate Professor of Higher Education
2006 to 2011
Valdosta State UniversityCoordinator of Greek Housing Programs
2003 to 2006
Washington University in St. Louis
Financial Aid Graduate Assistant
2002 to 2003The University of Mississippi, Oxford
Teaching
A defining characteristic of my teaching approach is pragmatism. While I believe it is important to expose students to the theory that informs practice, my background as a practitioner grounds my assignments. Experience has taught me when students believe they are contributing to “real” work they tend to invest more effort in the task.
My Courses
Regular Courses
Assessment in Student Affairs
Univariate Statistics in Applied Fields
Occasional Courses
Academic Life and Issues
History and Philosophy of Higher Education
Mixed Methods Research Design
Multivariate Statistics in Applied Fields
Areas of Expertise
Presentations, Workshops, and Consulting
Assessment and Research
+ Assessment projects and design
+ Survey design and data analysis
+ Academic writing and editing
+ Grant research design and evaluation
Student Use of Technology
+ Digital literacy and college student learning
+ Mobile technology use in Korean and US contexts
+ Using technology to study organizations
College Student Involvement
+ A researcher's perspective the value of fraternities
+ The effects of sorority membership on persistence and retention
+ Campus activism, civic learning, and engagement
Student Affairs & Higher Education
+Foundations and philosophy of student affairs practice
+History and philosophy of higher education
+Career pathways to the senior student affairs officer
+Academic life and the professoriate
