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Sessions for Graduate Students

Please note: all sessions are listed in Mountain Daylight Time (MDT = UTC-6:00)

Graduate students are welcome at MAA MathFest! Check out programming designed for graduate students to enhance their knowledge and explore career options in the mathematical sciences.

Panel

Career Paths in Business, Industry, and Government

Friday, August 6, 10:00 a.m. - 11:20 a.m.

Description:

You're about to earn a degree in mathematics. Now what? You may be surprised to know that teaching isn't your only option; in the "real world” mathematical knowledge is a valued commodity, and there are many interesting job opportunities for mathematicians in business, industry, and government. Whether you are a mathematics student looking for a job once you graduate or an advisor looking for advice to give to future job-seeking students, this session will help you gain new perspectives on a range of career experiences and what employers value in their employees. Panelists will share their paths to their current positions and offer advice to others looking for employment in similar venues.

Organizers:
Emille Lawrence, University of San Francisco
Caroline Maher-Boulis, Lee University

Moderator:
Jeb Collins

Panelists:
Bonita Saunders, National Institute of Standards and Technology
Michael Dorff, Brigham Young University
Emilie Purvine, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Kevin Byrnes, DuPont Capital Management

Sponsor: Committee on Undergraduate Students (CUS) and Committee on Business, Industry, and Government (BIG)

 

Panel

Association for Women in Mathematics Panel - Inspiring Women in Mathematics

Friday, August 6, 10:00 a.m. - 11:20 a.m.

Description

Since its founding in 1971, the Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM) has been a force for positive change in the culture and demographics of the mathematics world and an effective voice of support for women in the mathematical sciences. This panel is one of several events to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the organization's founding. The panel will feature mathematicians who are founders and leaders of programs designed to encourage young women to engage in doing mathematics. Such programs offer high school students, undergraduate and graduate students with a strong interest in mathematics an opportunity to pursue more advanced mathematics while immersed in a community of other young women with similar interests. The panel will engage with the audience in a discussion about how math educators of any gender can support girls and women toward academic development at different critical stages.

Organizers:
Georgia Benkart, University of Wisconsin
Malena Español, Arizona State University
Magdalena Luca, MCPHS University

Panel Moderator:
Lauren Rose, Bard College

Panelists:
Deanna Haunsperger, Carleton College
Raegan Higgins, Texas Tech University
Julianna Tymoczko, Smith College
Judy Walker, University of Nebraska at Lincoln
Ulrica Wilson, Morehouse College

Sponsor: Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM)

 

Panel

Supporting Your Department's VITAL Faculty

Saturday, August 7, 2:30 p.m. - 3:50 p.m.

Description:

Visiting faculty, instructors, non-student TAs, adjunct faculty, and lecturers -- collectively VITAL faculty, or generally non-tenure track -- are becoming increasingly more common in many math departments. Panelists from a variety of institutions, including VITAL faculty, will discuss ways in which departments can best support this group. VITAL faculty on the panel will discuss departmental culture and practices that are most supportive. Departmental representatives will talk about their own practices for supporting these needs. Panelists will share their perspectives and there will be time for questions, input from the audience, and conversation. We hope that the audience will be able to share their ideas and get inspiration for their own faculty and institution. This panel is sponsored by the Membership Committee and aligns with the current emphasis on how the MAA can best support VITAL faculty.

Organizer:
Emilie Purvine, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Panelists:
Robert Snellman, Young University
Dina Yagodich, Frederick Community College
Hanna Bennet, University of Michigan
Jacqueline Jensen-Vallin, Lamar University

Sponsor: MAA Membership Committee

 

Panel

How to Apply for Jobs in Academia and Industry after Your PhD

Saturday, August 7, 10:00 a.m. - 11:20 a.m.

Description:

This session is aimed at graduate students and recent PhDs. An overview of the employment process will be given with ample opportunity for participants to ask questions. Questions that will be addressed include: How do you find which jobs are available? How do you choose which jobs you want to apply for? What are academic and other employers looking for in the materials that you send? How should you tailor your application materials for the job that you are applying for? How do schools conduct interviews?

Organizer:
Stefanie Wang, Smith College

Panelists:
Mimi Tsugura, Education Engineer at Elastic
Christine Kelley, University of Nebraska – Lincoln
Tian An Wong, University of Michigan – Dearborn

Sponsor: MAA Committee on Graduate Students

 

Poster Session

PosterFest 2021: Scholarship by Early Career Mathematicians

Friday, August 6, 1:00 p.m. - 1:50 p.m.

Description

This poster session and networking event provides an informal opportunity for early career mathematicians to present and discuss their scholarly activities (such as: expository work, preliminary reports, scholarship of teaching and learning, and research reports). Nontenured faculty and graduate students are encouraged to apply. Undergraduate submissions will not be accepted. Questions regarding this session should be sent to the organizers.

Organizers:
Holly Attenborough, University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Lisa Driskell, Colorado Mesa University

Sponsor: The MAA Committee on Early Career Mathematicians (ECM)

 

Networking Session

NSF Funding Opportunities in the Directorate for Education and Human Resources

Wednesday, August 4, 1:00 p.m. - 2:20 p.m.
Friday, August 6, 10:00 a.m. - 11:20 a.m.

Description

The National Science Foundation (NSF) offers multiple grant programs that promote research, innovations in learning and teaching and/or infrastructural support in the mathematical sciences. Program Officers from the NSF Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE) will provide an overview of several programs that welcome submissions from the mathematical sciences community, discuss the NSF review process, and provide tips on effective proposal preparation. Participants will also have the opportunity to explore specific DUE programs through breakout sessions that will include ample time for discussion and Q&A.

Organizers:
Michael Ferrara, John Haddock, and Sandra Richardson, Division of Undergraduate Education, National Science Foundation

 

Year: 
2021