Shawn Hilbert

Shawn Hilbert earned his B.S. in Physics (major) and Mathematics (minor) at Lebanon Valley College, and his M.S. in Physics and his Ph.D. in Physics at the University of Nebraska. He currently works as an Associate Professor of Physics for Berry College and serves as the university’s SPS chapter advisor. Dr. Hilbert is a member of the American Association of Physics Teachers and the American Physical Society. Throughout his time in the physics community, Dr. Hilbert has participated in many student-led projects and presentations. He has contributed to multiple publications, such as the American Journal of Physics and the Physical Review. At Berry College, Dr. Hilbert has taught multiple classes that give his physics students a larger understanding and interest in the field, such as Quantum Mechanics, Modern Physics, and Statistical Mechanics.

To his students, Dr. Hilbert is known as a “tremendous” advisor who is “never too busy” to talk about anything in the field of physics or his student’s personal and academic goals. His goal of opening physics to a broader audience is accomplished through public talks and events that engage different communities. He places emphasis on his students participating in both the fun, social side of physics as well as the academic, career-oriented side. This is shown through his efforts to engage his students with a range of activities, from board games to “Just In Time” teaching, which involves his students actively thinking about their assignments before they are due. In this way, Dr. Hilbert is seen as a valuable member of the Berry College physics department and his SPS chapter.