In order to best protect the health and well-being of our University community, and in accordance with the latest public health guidance, we are requiring the COVID-19 vaccine for all members of our University community. More than 475 colleges and universities across the country – including many of our peer institutions in Connecticut – have implemented this policy to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on their campuses.
Fully vaccinated members of our University community will be able to immerse themselves in work and learning environments featuring pre-pandemics norms for class formats, student life, and other staples of the Charger experience.
COVID-19 Info Summer 2021 Info Fall 2021 Planning
2017
Master of Science in Dental Hygiene
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Science University, MA
2010
Bachelor of Integrative Studies
Ferris State University, MI
1993
Associates of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene
Indiana University, IN
Robin was born and raised in Western Michigan near Grand Rapids and relocated to Connecticut to work with the University of New Haven. She loves to incorporate new learning strategies and technology in the classroom to meet students’ learning needs.
Robin is coordinating the junior level clinic activities and lecturing for the dental hygiene department in the School of Health Sciences at UNH. Her research and publications are in the dental hygiene field of education related to student test anxiety and summative clinical assessments. Robin is also writing a new chapter for a dental hygiene textbook. She is a member of the American Dental Hygienists Association, American Dental Educators Association, and an honorary member of the Alpha Eta Honor Society. She has led teams in community events including Mission of Mercy. She is proud to be a part of the UNH faculty who are passionate about students’ education and influencing the future.
Member, Alpha Eta Honor Society
Member, American Dental Hygienists’ Association
Member, American Dental Education Association
Member, ADEA Dental Hygiene Section
Kerkstra, R., Giblin, L., Smallidge, D., Perry, K., & Baragar, C. (2018). Pilot Study: Examiner Versus Camera Supervised OSCE Performance with Dental Hygiene Students, Does Test Anxiety Matter? Journal of Dental Education September 2018, 82 (9) 968-973; DOI: https://doi.org/10.21815/JDE.018.096.
5/2018: Mission of Mercy, Grand Rapids, MI
Leadership Committee, Volunteer
3/2016: Senior Dental Day, Grand Rapids, MI
Committee Member, Volunteer
1998-2015: Children’s Dental Health Presentations
Presenter, On-site Oral Health Promotion Presentations with
Community Elementary Schools
5/2014: Mission of Mercy, Big Rapids, MI
Volunteer
August 2019; University of New Haven, West Haven CT
August 2015-May 2018; Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Rapids, MI
September 2002-May 2014; Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI
The Charger Blog
Working across platforms including Blackboard, Zoom, and GroupMe, Robin Kerkstra, RDH, MSDH, an assistant professor of allied health, is making certain that her dental hygiene students remain a strong, connected community of learners.
The Charger Blog
Robin Kerkstra, M.S., a new assistant professor of allied health at the University of New Haven, has already immersed herself in everything that Connecticut has to offer.