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Dept / Affiliation: Human Development & Family Studies

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Office Address

College of Education and Human Services

EHS 412A

Hoffman, Holly

Professor

FACULTY

More about Holly Hoffman

Publications & Presentations

Publications

Hoffman, H., Klemm, J., & Hart, S. (2025). Concerns of educators as they enter the teaching profession: The difference of a decade. Perspectives on Critical Issues in Education. https://sites.google.com/view/perspectivesoncriticalissuesin/home

Rouech, K., Heroux, J., & Hoffman, H. (2024, December 18). Adventures in ungrading. The Scholarly Teacher. https://www.scholarlyteacher.com/post/adventures-in-ungrading#viewer-iviy21892

Rouech, K., Hoffman, H., Heroux, J., Brown, J. L., VanDeusen, E. A., & Majorana, J. C. (2024). Living and learning communities for teacher candidates: Lessons learned. Journal of Student Success and Retention, 9(2), 1-28.

Rouech, K., VanDeusen, E. A., Hoffman, H. H., & Majorana, J. (2023). Building a thriving virtual faculty writing group. The Journal of Faculty Development, 37(1), 1-9.

Finley, E. & Hoffman, H. (2022). Meeting the needs of children in pediatric hospitals: An analysis of professional roles. Int J Pediatr Res, 8, 102-105. doi.org/10.23937/2469-5769/1510102

Kipp, A., & Hoffman, H. (2022). Influence of adolescent religious experiences on faith decisions in college. Journal of Religion and Society, 24, 1-15.

Rouech, K.E., VanDeusen, B.A., Hoffman, H.H., Majorana, J.C. (2021, September 30). Five tips for launching an online writing group. The Scholarly Teacher. https://www.scholarlyteacher.com/post/five-tips-for-launching-an-online-writing-group

Hebert, D., Geisthardt, C., & Hoffman, H. (2019). Insights and recommendations from parents receiving a diagnosis of pediatric multiple sclerosis for their child. Journal of Child Neurology, 34(8), 464-471.

Hoffman, H., Hengesbach, M., & Trotter, S. (2019). Perspectives on person first language: A focus on college students. Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability, 32(4), 127-132.

McCollow, M., & Hoffman, H. (2019). Supporting social development in young children with disabilities: Building a practitioner’s toolkit. Early Childhood Education Journal, 47(3), 309-320.

Hoffman, H., Geisthardt, C., & Sucharski, H. (2019). College students and multiple sclerosis: Navigating the college experience. Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability, 32(2), 15-22.

Brown, J., Hoffman, H., Rouech, K. E., VanDeusen, E. A. (2018). Launching integrative experiences through linked courses: The future educators learning community (FELC). Learning Communities Research and Practice, 6(2), Article 4.

McCollow, M., & Hoffman, H. (2018). Evidence-based decision-making: A team effort toward achieving goals. Young Exceptional Children.

Hoffman, H. (2017). Children’s humor. In H. Montgomery (Ed.). Oxford bibliographies in childhood studies. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Umpstead, R., Hoffman, H., & Pehrsson, D. (2015). Building leadership from within the ranks: Leadership fellow initiative. Journal of Advancing Women in Leadership, 35, 144-152.

Klocko, B., Kirby, E., Hoffman, H., & Pehrsson, D. (2014). Creating a culture of scholarship in a teaching college. Journal of Higher Education Management,28(1).

Hoffman, H., & Pehrsson, D. (2014). Central Michigan University commitment two: Improving STEM learning and degree completion for students underrepresented in STEM fields, White House Reach Higher Initiative.

Hoffman, H. & Vancil, T. (2012). Think outside the classroom to help students on the spectrum. Disability Compliance for Higher Education Newsletter: Successful Strategies for Accommodating Students and Staff with Disabilities, 18(5), 2.

Mapes, K. & Hoffman, H. (2010). Transitions from upper elementary to middle school for students with disabilities. Michigan Middle School Journal, 5(2), 24-28.

Hoffman, H. (2009). An examination of the use of humor in early childhood special education settings. (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. (Accession Order No. 3340060).

Hoffman, H. (2008). A sense of humor: Does it matter? In Live, learn, connect: A resource for first-year students at Central Michigan University (pp. 107-110). New York: Pearson.

Hoffman, H. (2008). Your goals and priorities. In Live, learn, connect: A resource for first-year students at Central Michigan University (pp. 5-6). New York: Pearson.

Hoffman, H. (2008, October). Teaching FYE: One faculty member’s experience. Teaching Central: FaCIT New for CMU Faculty. Mt. Pleasant, MI.

Hoffman, H. & Grialou, T. (2005). Review of the Test of Early Mathematics Ability (3rd ed.). Assessment for Effective Intervention, 30 (4), 57-62.

Bunn, R., Burns, M.K., Hoffman, H., & Newman, C. (2005). Using incremental rehearsal to teach letter identification with a preschool-aged child. Journal of Evidence-Based Practices for Schools, 6 (2), 124-133.

Burns, M.K., Courtad, C.A., Hoffman, H., & Folger, W. (2003). A comparison of district-level variables and state accountability test results for public elementary and middle schools. Psychology and Education, 41(2), 17-26.

Presentations

Hoffman, H., Sloan, K., Rouech, K., & Heroux, J. (2026, February 25-27). Teaching and learning with joy: A framework for engagement, belonging, and growth [Conference presentation]. Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Commons Annual Conference, Savannah, GA, United States.

Hoffman, H., & Sloan, K. (2025, November 3–6). The joy effect: Igniting engagement, success, and well-being in higher education [Roundtable presentation]. International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Conference, New Zealand.

Hoffman, H. & Sloan, K. (2025, April 11). Joyful teaching: Igniting connections and engagement in college classrooms [Conference presentation]. Midwest Conference on the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, South Bend, IN, United States.

Hoffman, H. & Sloan, K. (2025, March 13). Finding the joy within: Supporting instructors of pre-service early interventionists [Conference presentation]. Council for Exceptional Children, Baltimore, MD, United States.

Sloan, K., Hoffman, H., & Heroux, J. (2025, March 13). Friendship without barriers: Reports from a photovoice study in a university-community partnership organization [Conference presentation]. Council for Exceptional Children, Baltimore, MD, United States.

Rouech, K., Heroux, J., & Hoffman, H. (2024, March 13-16). Ungrading: A practice to facilitate learning and provide equitable assessment. [Conference presentation]. International Council for Exceptional Children Conference, San Antonio, TX, United States.

Hoffman, H. (2024, March 13-16). Effective goal setting techniques to support early and pre-professionals. [Conference presentation]. International Council for Exceptional Children Conference, San Antonio, TX, United States.

Hoffman, H. (2024, March 13-16). Humor in early childhood special education settings: A comparative study. [Conference presentation]. International Council for Exceptional Children Conference, San Antonio, TX, United States.

Rouech, K., Heroux, J., & Hoffman, H. (2024, February 28 – March 1). Breaking free from restrictive grading practices: Modeling for future educators. [Conference presentation]. Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Commons Annual Conference, Savannah, GA, United States.

Hoffman, H., Priest, C., Rouech, K., & Heroux, J. (2024, February 18-21). Creating a mindful and creative culture in support of innovation. [Conference presentation]. 43rd Annual Conference on The First-Year Experience, Seattle, WA, United States.

Hoffman, H., Heroux, J., & Rouech, K. (2024, January 4-6). Teamwork makes the dream of (ungrading) work. [Conference presentation]. International Teaching Learning Cooperative Lilly Conference, San Diego, CA.

Hoffman, H., & Mitchell, R. (2023, November). Mindfulness matters: A focus on early intervention. National Association for the Education of Young Children Annual Conference, Nashville, TN.

Hoffman, H., Klemm, J., & Hart, S. (2023, November). A comparative study of teacher candidate concerns: 2012 to 2022. National Council for Exceptional Children, Louisville, KY.

Hoffman, H., Heroux, J., Smith, A., Finley, E., Otteman, L., & Roupe, G. (2022, November). Learning during a pandemic: Impact of Special Olympics young athletes home kit experiences. National Association for the Education of Young Children Annual Conference, Washington, D.C.

Hoffman, H. (2022, September). The impact of humor in early intervention and beyond: Importance of laughter in young children, families, and professionals. National Division for Early Childhood Annual International Conference and International Society on Early Intervention, Chicago, IL.

Hoffman, H., Heroux, J., Smith, A., Finley, E., Otteman, L., & Roupe, G. (2022, January). Learning during a pandemic: Impact of Special Olympics young athletes home kit experiences. Council for Exceptional Children Annual Conference, Orlando, FL.

Hoffman, H.H., Rouech, K.E., & Brown, J.L. (2021, October). Examining the effectiveness of a learning community through comparative experiences. 28th National Conference on Students in Transition, Orlando, FL/Virtual.

Credentials, Certifications & Awards

CMU Excellence in Teaching – Lorrie Ryan Award in 2025
Central Michigan Life Best of Central Michigan 2024 Readers' Choice Awards, Best CMU Professor, 2025, 2024, 2023
Mid-American Conference (MAC) Outstanding Faculty Award for Student Success, 2020
CMU Excellence in Teaching Award in 2017 and 2006
National Society of Leadership and Success Excellence in Teaching Award, 2016
American Association of University Administrators (AAUA) B. Alan Watson Award for Excellence in Professional-Scholarly Presentation 2015
Awarded CMU Woman of Excellence 2013
National Society of Leadership and Success, Honorary Membership, 2013

Education

Ph.D. Department of Human Development and Child Studies, Oakland University, December 2008. Early Childhood Education An Examination of the Use of Humor in Early Childhood Special Education Settings.

M.A. Department of Educational Administration and Community Leadership, Central Michigan University, May 1995. Parent Involvement Activities and the Effect on the Educational Development of Head Start Preschool Children

B.S. Department of Human Environmental Studies, Central Michigan University, May 1992. Child Development and Psychology.

Research Interests

Research focuses on the development of humor in children, families, inclusive practices, leadership, and pre-service teacher professional development.