GEMS of Combinatorics
In March 2023, I participated in the American Institute of Math (AIM) workshop called GEMS of Combinatorics. In addition to research problems, the main focus of this workshop was on expanding our focus from “Women in Math” to “Gender Minorities in Math.” We discussed equity and inclusion issues across the whole academic spectrum; from the classroom to research to conferences. We have a variety of forthcoming articles on both equity and research that were started during the workshop.
Home For All Lecture Series at Rockhurst University
For the 2022-2023 academic year, I have been selected to participate in the Home for All series. This lecture series will consist of one, 2-hour lecture/activity each month over the period of a typical academic calendar for a total of 8 sessions. The following topics will be included:
- Defining Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Multiculturalism – an Introduction
- Stereotyping, Unconscious Bias, and Microaggression
- Privilege, Social Justice, Racial Inequities and Social Cohesion
- Faith, Cultural Competency and Cultural Humility
- Opening Doors and Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities (supported by the Ability Workshop and Exhibit)
- Supporting Gender Identity and Expression
- Bridging the Age Gap: Generational Diversity and Ageism
- Shifting from Diversity and Inclusion to Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion
Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM) at ASU
In the 2020-2021 school year, I was the President of the Association for Women in Mathematics, Student Chapter at ASU. During my tenure as President, we focused on using the new virtual environment to invite a more diverse set of guest speakers to talk to our club. Allowing current students to see themselves in professional mathematicians is incredibly helpful in retaining those students. The leadership team for the club also spent the summer creating a plan for the School to implement to create a more diverse graduate student population, as the current student body does not reflect the country, or even the city in which we are based.
In the 2019-2020 school year, I was the chapter secretary. I took notes at the leader meetings, rewrote the Chapter Constitution, and assisted with event set up and publicity articles.
Sonia Kovalevsky Day Organizer, Activity Leader, and Guest Speaker
Before starting my junior year at Fresno State, I was recruited by Carmen Caprau to join an all female research class funded by an MAA Tensor Women in Mathematics grant. In addition to taking this class, and working on research for the years following the course, I also became one of the founding organizers of the Fresno State Sonia Kovalevsky Math Day. The goal of that event is to encourage local high school girls to continue studying STEM, and to show them the options available as math majors. I was an organizer and activity host for this event for my final three years at Fresno State.
After starting at ASU, I connected with the ASU West Campus for their annual Sonia Kovalevsky Day. I was a panel speaker for two years, and an activity leader for another two years before I graduated.
Summer Bridge Program
For the two summers during my Masters degree, I worked with the Educational Opportunities Program at Fresno State as an instructor in their Summer Bridge Program. This program is for first generation college students about to start their freshman year. Completely free of cost to the students, this three week program gives them the chance to live in the dorms, and work with instructors, mentors, and academic advisors, on setting up a plan of success for their undergraduate degree. They also use that time to focus on passing the Math and English remediation exams. Throughout the programs existence, it has had a better overall graduation rate than the university as a whole. Working with Summer Bridge shaped a lot of who I am as teacher, and has influenced what I find important in my teaching philosophy, and what opportunities I seek out as an instructor.
In the Classroom
Every semester, I offer an extra credit writing opportunity to each of my classes. They can either watch the documentary Picture a Scientist, or read three profiles in Living Proof. Then they write a short response on what did or did not surprise them, the most interesting aspect of what they watched/read, and at least one new thing they learned. Picture a Scientist is on Netflix as of July 2022.
I also have more details on equitable classroom practices in my full teaching statement.