Gretchen Trkay

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Experiential Learning in Academic Libraries

Sense of Belonging and Academic Libraries

Teaching Transferable Skills and Assessing Student Learning (Information and Maker Literacies)

FUN FACTS

I didn’t discover that I loved LEGOS until I was 50 years old.

My accent sounds like Wisconsin and Texas were mixed in a blender (ask me to say “that bag is fire.”).

SELECT PRESENTATIONS & PUBLICATIONS

Trkay, G. & Peery, K. (2025, February). Maker immersion: Developing curriculum design and assessment skills for academic makerspace course integration. Invited presentation. Library Makerspaces Research Showcase.

Peery, K., Chivers, M., Spoor, N., Radnecki, T., & Trkay, G. (2024, February). Maker literacies miniimmersion program. Day-long immersion program. University of Texas at Arlington Libraries, Arlington, TX, United States.

Trkay, G, & Bichel, R. 2020. Teaching and learning through making. In K.M. Peery (Ed.), Maker literacies for academic libraries: Integration into curriculum (pp. 1-14). Chicago: ALA Editions.

Wallace, M. K., Trkay, G., Musick Peery, K., Chivers, M., & Radniecki, T. (2018, August 3-5). Maker competencies and the undergraduate curriculum. Paper presented at the 2018 International Symposium on Academic Makerspaces, Stanford, CA. Retrieved from https://rc.library.uta.edu/uta-ir/handle/10106/27518.

Trkay, G. (2018, April). Community engagement in the real world. Invited presentation at TLA (Texas Library Association), Dallas.

Trkay, G., Herzog, A., Mirza, R., Huddleston, B., & Bailey, J. (2013, April). Plugged into user behavior: Low budget, high impact usability testing of library subject guides. All-day preconference presentation at ACRL (Association of College & Research Libraries) 2013 Conference, Indianapolis, IN.

Trkay, G., Mirza, R., & Bailey, J. (2012, May). Digital learning: Teaching information literacy through online research guides. Presentation at the Annual Innovations in Online Learning Conference, San Antonio, TX.

Farrar-Myers, V. A., & Trkay, G. (2011, February). Using active learning and information literacy principles to encourage critical thinking in large American government courses. Presentation at APSA Conference on Teaching & Learning, Albuquerque, NM.

Lyons, M. J. H., & Trkay, G. (2010, February). Gateway to information literacy: Bridging the gap for provisionally admitted students. Presented at Texas A&M University’s 10th Annual Assessment Conference.

Trkay, G., & Barker, E. (2010, February). “But, I didn’t know I was plagiarizing!” Teaching students about ethical information use. Presented at the 29th Annual Conference on the First Year Experience.

Frierson, E., & Trkay, G. (2009, April). Critical political thinking: Using YouTube as a platform for evaluation and synthesis. Presented at 2009 Annual LOEX Conference.

Trkay, G. (2009, March). UT Arlington’s Quality Enhancement Plan: Active learning for critical thinking. Presented at Texas Library Association’s 2009 Annual Conference.

Barker, E., & Trkay, G. (2009, February). Academic libraries and OneBook: Enhancing the firstyear experience. Presented at the 28th Annual Conference on the First-Year Experience.

Trkay, G., & Been, J. (2007, March). OneBook meets Google Maps: Engaging freshmen in English composition library instruction. Poster presentation at ACRL Annual Conference.

GRANTS

2019 – 2023

CO-PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

IMLS National Leadership Project Grant, Maker Immersion: Developing Curriculum Design and Assessment Skills for Academic Makerspace Course Integration, $241,846

2019 – 2020

PROJECT MANAGER

TSLAC Special Projects Grant, Preparing School and Public Librarians to Engage Children with Learning Differences in Making Activities, $74,508

2018 – 2019

GRANT PERSONNEL

TSLAC Impact Grant, Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality Gaming Station, $10,000

2018 – 2019

PROJECT MANAGER

TSLAC Special Projects Grant, Reconceptualizing Makerspaces for Elementary Students with Learning Disabilities, $74,994

2017 – 2018

GRANT PERSONNEL

IMLS National Leadership Planning Grant, Maker Competencies and the Undergraduate Curriculum, $49,800