Summer Opportunities on the Advertisements Page
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
1 Volume LI Number 2 The National Association of Mathematicians (NAM) publishes the NAM Newsletter four times per year. Editor nonprofit professional organization, has always had as its main objec- Dr. Omayra Ortega (Sonoma State University) tives, the promotion of excellence in the mathematical sciences and [email protected] the promotion and mathematical development of under-represented www.omayraortega.com/ minority mathematicians and mathematics students. It also aims to address the issue of the serious shortage of minorities in the workforce Editorial Board of mathematical scientists. Dr. Mohammad K. Azarian (University of Evansville) [email protected] NAM’s National Office, subscriptions and membership: Na- http://faculty.evansville.edu/ma3/ tional Association of Mathematicians, 2870 Peachtree Rd NW #915- 8152, Atlanta, GA 30305; e-mail: [email protected]. Dr. Abba Gumel (Arizona State University) [email protected] NAM’s Official Webpage: http://www.nam-math.org https://math.la.asu.edu/~gumel Newsletter Website: The NAM website has a list of employment Dr. Noelle Sawyer (Southwestern University) as well as summer opportunities on the Advertisements page. It also [email protected] features past editions of the Newsletter on the Archives page. https://noellesawyer.com Letters to the editor and articles should be addressed to Dr. NAM’s History and Goals: The National Association of Math- Omayra Ortega via e-mail to [email protected]. ematicians, Inc. (known as NAM) was founded in 1969. NAM, a From the Editor and at work, and try new modalities to meet those needs. Though originally born out of necessity, we may find that we want to continue employing some of these new modalities moving forward. I plan to use Zoom in my SAS lab course to address ques- tions. By sharing our screens with the entire class, we can debug together in real-time. This is one of my “silver linings” from this time. “Don’t you notice that there are particular moments We have had to connect with students, col- when you are naturally inspired to introspection? leagues, and family-members in new ways. Can Work with them gently, for these are the moments when you can go through a powerful experience, and we leverage these changes to improve future com- your whole worldview can change quickly.” munication? We can expect new challenges to our - Sogyal Rinpoche. established ways of being whether it be through pandemic, climate change, local; institutional; or Hello friends, national regime change. Change is the only con- First, I would like to welcome a new NAM board stant. Hopefully we emerge from this time of isola- member! Dr. Karen D. Morgan, from New Jer- tion with a new perspective on how to progress for- sey City University, is the new Region B Repre- ward through difficult times. Let’s use this “free” sentative representing NAM members in the mid- time we have to reflect on how we can collaborate Atlantic states. with our communities (however you define them) to Wow, what a year 2020 has shaped up to be! We build a better world. just passed the halfway mark, but so far 2020 has ⋆ forced us to reflect on what matters most at home Sincerely, Dr. Omayra Ortega 2 National Association of Mathematicians Summer 2020 Publishing in the NAM Newsletter Submissions: The NAM Newsletter is a quarterly publication. Articles and letters should be submitted elec- tronically to the editor at [email protected]. You can find more information at the web page https://www.nam-math.org/submitting-advertisements-and-articles.html Advertising: NAM Online Advertisement Policy: As a part of its Newsletter Advertising, a copy of the advertisement will be placed on the web during the period it appears in the quarterly Newsletter - at the Job Openings website. NAM Newsletter Print Advertisement Policy for Non-institutional Members: Receipt of your announcement will be acknowledged. You will be billed after the advertisement appears. A copy of the advertisement will be placed on the NAM Newsletter website during the period it appears in the NAM Newsletter. To estimate the page size, use 12 point font on a standard size page. 1. One issue advertising A. One-fourth page $200 D. Two-thirds page $500 B. One-third page $300 E. Three-fourths page $600 C. One-half page $400 F. One whole page $800 *advertisements over one page are pro-rated 2. Consecutive, multiple issue advertising Each consecutive issue thereafter 75% of the first issue charge. NAM Newsletter Print Advertisement Policy for Institutional Members: Receipt of your announcement will be acknowledged. You will be billed after the advertisement appears. Institutional Members of NAM are entitled to one 1/4 page advertisement at 1/2 the regular price during the fiscal year of their membership. Additional advertisements follow the above stated cost structure. A copy of the advertisement will placed on the NAM Newsletter website during the period it appears in the NAM Newsletter. To estimate the page size, use 12 pt font in your favorite word processing program on a standard size page. Deadlines: The deadlines for submissions and advertisements can be found in the following table. Edition Deadline Edition Deadline Spring February 13 Fall August 13 Summer May 13 Winter November 13 Advertisements should be submitted electronically to the editor at [email protected]. We reserve the right to reject any advertising that is not consistent with the stated goals of NAM, or that is in any way deemed inappropriate. Revised 11/19 National Association of Mathematicians 3 Volume LI Number 2 Research Spotlight on Women Faculty: Raegan Higgins by Texas Tech University Office of Research & Innovation This article originally appeared in the Texas Tech At that time, I had no idea of all the areas of University website on March 4, 2020. math, nor did I know exactly what a mathemati- cian did. However, the feeling of solving “hard” problems stuck with me — I learned that I could do well at something new. My area of research is time scales. I was in- troduced to this area as an undergraduate. It was intriguing because it forced me to think outside of the box. I was not required to work solely on the (real) number line. I could work on any part of it. That was the “something new” and I wanted to learn all about it. Who inspired you to pursue academia? After having such a positive experience in Alge- bra, I wanted to change students’ lives like Mrs. Scott changed mine. So, my plan was to be a math teacher. While at Xavier University of Louisiana, my Calculus I professor and research ad- Photo by Ashley Rodgers, Texas Tech University, Office of visor, Dr. Vlajko Kocic, encouraged me to explore Communications & Marketing my options outside of teaching. He talked to me about graduate school. I had some idea of what graduate school was because my father, who is a re- Raegan Higgins, Associate Professor, Depart- tired high school teacher, has a master’s degree in ment of Mathematics & Statistics. Dr. Higgins’ cur- Industrial Arts Education. So graduate school was rent research is in time scales; The calculus of time not a new idea; earning a doctorate was. Dr. Kocic scales was developed to unify and extend results ob- told me that I was going to graduate school and I tained for differential equations and difference equa- worked to achieve that. At Xavier, several female tions. Her interests focus on oscillation criteria for math majors went to graduate school and did well. certain linear and nonlinear second order dynamic So, his suggestion of graduate school seemed reason- equations. able. Honestly, it was the norm, the expectation, What inspired you to work in your field/area the rule, the standard. Call it what you want; most of expertise? Xavier math majors went to graduate school. I didn’t always love math. In my eyes, it was So, my Calculus I professor inspired me to pur- a class that everyone had to take. It wasn’t hard sue academia. After being one of the best tutors nor was it easy; it just was. Upon placing out in the mathematics department at Xavier and pre- of Pre-Algebra in middle school, I entered Alge- senting my research at a few conferences, I knew bra which quickly became my adversary. With a this career path was for me. minimal Pre-Algebra background, I struggled in the What would you tell your female students in- course I called “The Land of Unknowns.” With a terested in pursuing an academic career? very encouraging no-nonsense teacher Mrs. Scott, I “Go for it!!!!” would be my initial response. excelled in Algebra and became an aspiring mathe- Then after some of the excitement has passed, I matician. would encourage her to find multiple female and 4 National Association of Mathematicians Summer 2020 male mentors inside and outside her desired field This level of tiered mentoring is necessary because inside and outside her institution. It is important becoming successful and sustaining success are not that she has as many perspectives as possible. Of easy. It is essential to seek out advice from those course, her journey will not be the same. However, who have and are successfully navigating the obsta- there is always a lesson to learn from others’ expe- cles that will inevitably come their way. riences. The undergraduate student needs to connect Texas Tech University Office of Re- with graduate students while the graduate students search & Innovation can be reached at need the wisdom of postdocs and junior faculty. [email protected]. Teaching, Research, and Service...REMOTELY??? The Present and Future of a Virtual Academic Life by Haydee Lindo and Anisah Nu’man This article originally appeared in the MAA Math Values is publicly considering this option.