Jacqueline Heisler of Holland, Michigan, who retired in 2006 as director of the Academic Success Center and adjunct assistant professor of psychology, died on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. She was 80.
She was hired in 1982 as the college sought to expand the center, which had previously emphasized helping students with writing, but grew to include assisting with disciplines such as mathematics and the sciences as well. She was brought aboard part-time initially, but soon picked up responsibilities for advising freshmen and working with the FOCUS program for students requiring additional assistance to succeed academically, and was on staff full-time for more than 20 years. Eventually she stopped working with FOCUS and instead served as a liaison for students with disabilities as they pursued their academics, complementing the Office of Disability and Accessibility Resources.
She also taught a First-Year Seminar each fall since the program began in 1997. As a result, each year she carried 40 to 50 advisees, until the students choose a major and advisor within that discipline.
Heisler completed her B.A. at Drew University and her master's degree from the University of Nebraska. Her background was in educational psychology, and while working for a school district in Nebraska she developed programs for special-needs students at both the elementary and secondary levels. In cooperation with others, she also wrote a book for parents interested in helping their children who were having difficulty in school. While subsequently living in Pennsylvania, she taught evening continuing education classes for adults with special needs.
She moved to Holland in 1981, when her husband, Dr. James Heisler, who survives her, received an appointment to the college's economics faculty. They served together in 1994 as the first Hope College exchange professors at Meiji Gakuin University in Tokyo.
She is also survived by her daughter Julie (Hope 鈥�94) and Richard Brackbill of San Diego, California, and son Daniel (Hope 鈥�98), of Holland.
Visitation will be at Hope Church in Holland on Friday, Dec. 20, at 10 a.m., with a memorial service at 11 a.m. followed by a reception. Hope Church is located at 77 W. 11th St., between Pine and River avenues.