About the MAA

The MAA Headquarters in Washington, DC in 1921 and today
Source: Library of Congress

There is an organization for people who love the mathematical sciences. A community that values discussion and exposition, for meeting colleagues and building knowledge together. An organization with roots in the nineteenth century and a powerful role in the twenty-first. It's the Mathematical Association of America.

It all began in 1894 with the American Mathematical Monthly - and ever since, the MAA has been providing mathematicians with the best expository articles, engaging problems, and articles devoted to teaching collegiate mathematics. In 1915, we became the MAA. Now we are more than 20,000 strong; faculty, students, practitioners, and people who simply love math. Most important of all, we are colleagues. We gather in Sections, at MathFest, and at the Joint Mathematics Meetings; we catch up on colleagues' activities and hear inspiring talks in mathematics; we help each other grow. In the process, we move our profession forward.

The MAA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, independent, membership organization. Twenty-eight of the MAA's 29 Sections have 501(c)(3) status under an MAA group exemption; the Michigan Section has its own 501(c)(3) status under federal law.

Vision Statement

The MAA will be the leading professional association in collegiate mathematics, the preeminent provider of expository mathematics, the primary and best source for professional development programs for faculty, and the number one provider of resources for teaching and learning.

Mission Statement (November 16, 2001)

The Mathematical Association of America is the largest professional society that focuses on mathematics accessible at the undergraduate level. Our members include university, college, and high school teachers; graduate and undergraduate students; pure and applied mathematicians; computer scientists; statisticians; and many others in academia, government, business, and industry. We welcome all who are interested in the mathematical sciences.

The mission of the MAA is "to advance the mathematical sciences, especially at the collegiate level."

This mission guides our core interests:

  • Education: We support learning in the mathematical sciences by encouraging effective curriculum, teaching, and assessment at all levels.
  • Research: We support research, scholarship, and its exposition at all appropriate levels and venues, including research by undergraduates.
  • Professional Development: We provide resources and activities that foster scholarship, professional growth, and cooperation among teachers, other professionals, and students.
  • Public Policy: We influence institutional and public policy through advocacy for the importance, uses, and needs of the mathematical sciences.
  • Public Appreciation: We promote the general understanding and appreciation of mathematics. We encourage students of all ages, particularly those from underrepresented groups, to pursue activities and careers in the mathematical sciences.

    • We pursue these interests through extensive programs, meetings, and publications, well over one hundred national committees, and 29 regional sections.