Biography

Education

• Ed.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  Adult and Continuing Education, Emphasis: Organizational Development

• M.A., Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL
  Audiology

• B.S., Illinois State University, Normal, IL
  Deaf Education and Elementary Education

Professional Experience

Clinical Assistant Professor: 2002-present
University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, Human Resource Education Department

Teaching graduate courses in Instructional Techniques for Business and Technical Organizations and Instructional Methods for Business and Technical Organizations. Designed and developed new course, Training and Development for HRD Professionals. Advising graduate students. Coordinating and supervising internship program.

Training and Organizational Development Consultant: 2001-present

• Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Health Care Organizations, Oak Park, IL
  Conducted a needs analysis and developed simulation training for auditors.

• Three Mile Island, Amergen.
  Conducted a needs assessment of the training department staff. Compiled and analyzed data. Wrote a final report including results of the assessment and recommendations. Also assisted in designing continuing training for the department staff.

• Abbot Labs, Chicago, IL
  Reviewed examinations for various departments within Abbot Labs. Also designed a Master Trainer Program and developed the materials for Master Trainer Certification.

• Clinton (IL) Nuclear Power Plant, Amergen.
  Conducted a focused area assessment for the Training Department. Evaluated instructor’s instructional skills, coached when necessary, and developed Instructor Development Plans for 25 instructors. Included recommendations for future professional development activities as well as department-wide initiatives in the final report. Edited the Self-Evaluation Report that was submitted to the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations for reaccredidation of the operations training program.

• Oyster Creek (NJ) and Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plants, Amergen.
  Coached and assisted instructors in the development of training materials (objectives, test items, lesson plans, media, etc.). Ensured training material quality met or exceeded the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations accreditation standards. Improved both departments’ accreditation ratings for training material development.
  
  1996-01 Instructional Technologist; Braidwood Nuclear Power Plant, Exelon (ComEd).
  Served as an ISD process expert for the technical training programs. Assisted subject matter experts in designing performance improvement initiatives. Performed quality reviews of objectives, lesson plans, simulator exercises, OJT/TPE guides, laboratory guides, and test items. Conducted program effectiveness reviews. Designed and implemented a professional development program for 40 training professionals which was recognized by the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations as one of the best in the country.

Program Developer: 1990-96
Nuclear Operations Division - Corporate, ComEd.

Managed various corporate training programs and initiatives, developed and managed the corporate Train the Trainer program, evaluated performance improvement initiatives, supervised contractors, and served as a team member on corporate assessments. Also chaired and participated in numerous corporate task forces and steering committees.

Publications

Flesher, J., Sommers, C., & Brauchle, P. (2000). Enhancing instructor evaluation. Journal of Performance Improvement, 39(8).

Sommers, C.D. (1984). Pilot vision screening project for older adults. Illinois Optometric Association.

Thesis and Dissertation

Sommers, C. (1997). Instruction in a nuclear reactor control room simulator. Unpublished dissertation. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Sommers, C. (1969). Comparison of two auditory stimuli in testing young children. Unpublished thesis. Western Illinois University.

Presentations

Brauchle, P. & Sommers, C.D. (2000) Instructor Evaluation. Seminar presented at Midwest Nuclear Training Association, Columbus, OH.

Sommers, C.D. (1998) Cognitive Apprenticeship. Seminar presented at Midwest Nuclear Training Association, Columbus, OH.

Sommers, C.D. & Winn, G. (1997) Five Steps to Continuing Training. Seminar presented at Midwest Nuclear Training Association, Columbus, OH.

Recent Professional Service

Committee member to evaluate HRE department’s Masters Degree program (2004)

Planning committee member for Boeing Seminar – assisted in writing grant and planning the seminar (2004)

Training Director for Breaking Away, an organization whose mission is providing a safe house for victims of domestic violence (2000–04)

Board Member and Curriculum Director for HRD-Institute (1998-01)
The Chicago Chapter of the American Society for Training and Development

Instructor Training Subcommittee (1998-01)
Midwest Nuclear Training Association

Curriculum Redesign Committee for the HRD-Institute (1998-99)
The Chicago Chapter of the American Society for Training and Development

Professional Associations

Chicago Chapter, American Society for Training and Development (ASTD)