USA Chemistry Instructor, Longtime R.N. Join Mississippi College Faculty
Mississippi College executive leaders are proud to welcome two valuable additions to the Christian University’s faculty and administrative staff.
Pamela Clevenger, M.S., M.C.S.
Pamela Clevenger, a Mississippi College graduate and a chemistry instructor at USA in Mobile, Alabama, has joined the MC faculty as an instructor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
With a master’s degree in education and another master’s degree in chemistry, Clevenger is interested in exploring chemical education research topics such as metacognition. Her recent research has focused on how a student’s attitude toward chemistry changes during a semester.
“Knowing more about how students learn can help identify strategies that can facilitate instruction and improve student success,” Clevenger said. “This is such an interesting topic for a freshman general chemistry course sequence.”
“We are excited to have the opportunity to hire such an experienced individual,” said J. Clinton Bailey II, associate professor and chair of chemistry and biochemistry. “Mrs. Pam Clevenger comes to us with over 25 years of teaching experience in general chemistry at the college level.
“She will primarily teach in the two-semester general chemistry lecture sequence and coordinate the General Chemistry Laboratory.”
After earning her B.S. in chemistry and physics education and her M.S. in curriculum and instruction chemistry and physics concentration at Mississippi State University, Clevenger began her professional career as a high school chemistry and physics teacher at Northwest Rankin Attendance Center. While serving as a chemistry and physical science instructor at Hinds Community College, she concurrently obtained her M.C.S. with a chemistry concentration at MC. Clevenger invested 16 years of her career in Hinds CC and went on to serve as a chemistry instructor at Itawamba Community College for five years. She also had brief stints as an education crew trainer at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama and an extension associate at the MSU Coastal Research and Extension Center in Biloxi before joining the USA faculty.
Clevenger credits David H. Magers, professor of chemistry and biochemistry, for helping nurture her career.
“Dr. David Magers has been a professor, a mentor, and a supporter throughout the many stages of my teaching career, and it will be an honor to teach alongside him,” she said. “This is an incredible opportunity to be part of a strong chemistry department that has made a difference in so many futures.”
A 2021 Mortar Board “Top Prof” recipient at USA, Clevenger serves as chair of the Mobile, Alabama, local section of the American Chemical Society. Nationally, she is serving on an ACS Exams Institute Committee and the ACS Division of Chemical Education Program Committee, and she has given numerous professional presentations at scientific meetings.
Clevenger has three children: son Cooper, a senior at Millsaps College; daughter Ginny Ray, a junior at Millsaps; and son Hatcher, a senior at Ocean Springs High School. They are members of the United Methodist Church.
Cynthia Vanlangendonck, M.S.N, R.N.
Cynthia Vanlangendonck, a recent Mississippi College alumna and seasoned registered nurse with six years’ experience in patient experience at a 293-bed acute care hospital in central Louisiana, has joined the MC faculty as an instructor in the School of Nursing.
Dr. Kimberly Sharp, dean of the School of Nursing at MC, said the retired nursing administrator with 47 years of nursing experience will be an incredible asset for the school.
“Her qualifications include a National Emergency Management Systems certification and a NEMS Advanced Incident Command System, and she is also a national certified public manager,” Sharp said. “Her background in emergency nursing and critical care was invaluable when she was the chief nursing administrator for the “Surge” hospital during hurricane evacuation for Hurricane Katrina and others.
“She is assisting with the development of public health specialty courses for the new public health degree.”
Sharp has worked with Vanlangendonck before – when she was dean of the School of Nursing at Louisiana College, Sharp hired the veteran nurse and guided her to become certified in simulation, along with other projects.
“I also acquired certification in Visual Thinking Strategies, which was incorporated in our simulation exercises,” Vanlangendonck said. “I believe that we are all instruments for God’s plan and must be open in all situations to His voice and direction in how to live His Word.
“When Mississippi College offered the inaugural Master of Science in Nursing, I signed on. Then there was the certification exam – what a ride!”
Born and raised in LeCompte, Louisiana, Vanlangendonck obtained her associate degree in nursing from Louisiana State University at Alexandria, her B.S.N. at Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, Louisiana, and her M.S.N. at MC. A charter member of the Nu Tau Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International, she is an active member of the American Nurses Association/Alexandria District Nurses Association, the Beryl Institute, and the Society for Simulation in Healthcare. She is the winner of the 2021 American Association of Colleges of Nursing Commission on Nurse Certification “I Have the CNL Power” student category essay contest.
She has provided education for front-line licensed nursing and management staff in communication, patient/family engagement, and service recovery. She has supported other hospital departments in improving patient experience at all levels with education and data dissemination.
Vanlangendonck and her husband of 51 years, Richard, have an estate sale business. They are parents of three children – Richard Jr., a urologist; Rani, a respiratory therapist; Lara, a graphic designer and art teacher – and grandparents of four. She enjoys singing in church and refinishing antique furniture.
Sign-up For Our Newsletter
Get the latest news about Mississippi College delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the Along College Street e-newsletter.
