Rahmat Rahmat2026 National Board of Directors Election Candidate for Two-Year College Representative

Rahmat Rahmat 

Department Chair of Math and Science and Professor of Physics and Psychology 
Southeastern Community College, West Burlington, Iowa 
rrahmat@scciowa.edu/rrahmat@alumni.harvard.edu  

Education

  • Doctor of Philosophy in Physics; September 6, 2008
      University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
    Dissertation: “Hadronic Spectrum of τ-→π-π0ντ Decays using BaBar Detector”
  • Master of Science in Physics; June 14, 2003
      University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
  • Bachelor of Science in Physics, December 2000 
      University of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
  • Master’s in Psychology ALM; May 25, 2023
      Harvard University, Boston, MA
  • Master’s in Education; 2023
      Upper Iowa University, Fayette, IA

Professional Experience

  • Department Chair of Math and Science, Southeastern Community College, West Burlington, Iowa. August 2023 – Present
  • Professor of Physics,  Southeastern Community College, West Burlington, Iowa. August 2017 - Present
  • Professor of Psychology, Southeastern Community College, West Burlington, Iowa, June 2025 – Present
  • Associate Professor of Physics,  Mid-America Christian University, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. June 2013 – Augusst 2016
  • Postdoctoral Associate at FERMI National Laboratory (FERMILAB),  University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi. September 2008 – June 2012
  • Research Assistant, worked on research projects at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC),   University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon. June 2006 – June 2008
  • Teaching Assistant, Physics/Astronomy,  University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon. June 2002 – June 2004 

Honors and Recognitions

Outstanding Leadership and Community Service Award at the Southeastern Community College in May 2019  

Memberships

American Association of Physics Teachers
American Physical Society
Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) Collaboration
Southeastern Iowa Astronomy Club

AAPT Activities

  • Member of the AAPT Area Committee of Research in Physics Education (RiPE) 2022-2025
  • Co-Chair of the Committee on Science Education for Public (CSEP) 2026-2027

Other Professional Activities

  • Serve as a moderator for the Fermilab-QuarkNet International Master class Hands-on Particle Physics
  • Serve as a moderator for the World Wide Data Day (W2D2)

Candidate Statement

I am honored to be a candidate for the AAPT Board of Directors as the Two-Year College Member-at-Large. As a physics educator, department chair, and longtime AAPT volunteer leader, I am committed to advancing AAPT's mission of enhancing the understanding and appreciation of physics through teaching.

Commitment to the AAPT Strategic Plan
AAPT's Strategic Plan emphasizes excellence in physics education, professional growth, community engagement, and broadening participation in physics. These priorities align closely with my professional values and leadership experience. Throughout my career, I have worked to improve student success through evidence-based teaching practices, curriculum innovation, faculty development, and the thoughtful integration of emerging technologies into physics education.

As Department Chair of Math and Science at Southeastern Community College, I have supported initiatives that strengthen STEM pathways, increase student engagement, and expand access to high-quality educational opportunities. I believe AAPT plays a critical role in supporting physics educators at every level, and I will advocate for programs that help members develop professionally, share innovative teaching practices, and prepare students for success in an evolving scientific landscape.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility
Physics is strongest when it welcomes and supports individuals from all backgrounds. I am committed to fostering a culture of belonging within AAPT and the broader physics community. Throughout my career, I have worked to create inclusive learning environments where students feel valued, respected, and empowered to succeed.

At my institution, I have led initiatives that promote engagement, community building, and student support. As Chair of the Engagement Opportunities Committee, I have organized activities that celebrate diverse cultures and encourage meaningful connections among students, faculty, and staff. In my classrooms, I strive to remove barriers to learning by employing inclusive teaching practices, active learning strategies, and multiple pathways for student success. As a member of the Board, I will support efforts to expand participation in physics, strengthen accessibility, and ensure that AAPT continues to serve the diverse needs of its members and the students they teach.

Qualifications for the Position of Two-Year College Member-at-Large
My professional career has been dedicated to student success and excellence in STEM education at community colleges. As Department Chair of Math and Science at Southeastern Community College, I have gained extensive experience in academic leadership, curriculum development, faculty mentoring, strategic planning, budgeting, assessment, and institutional effectiveness.

I have been actively involved in AAPT through committee leadership and service. I currently serve as Co-Chair of the Committee on Science Education for the Public (CSEP), where I collaborate with colleagues nationwide to promote public understanding of science and physics. I have also contributed to AAPT through conference presentations, committee work, and outreach activities.

As a two-year college educator, I understand the unique opportunities and challenges faced by community college faculty and students. Community colleges serve highly diverse populations, including first-generation students, adult learners, career changers, and students pursuing transfer pathways. These institutions play a vital role in expanding access to physics education and developing the future STEM workforce.

If elected, I will bring a collaborative leadership style, a strong commitment to service, and a deep appreciation for the important role that two-year colleges play in physics education. I will work to ensure that the voices and perspectives of community college faculty and students are represented in AAPT's decisions and future initiatives.

I would be honored to serve AAPT and help advance its mission of supporting physics educators and inspiring the next generation of scientists, educators, and informed citizens.