Count Me In

Today we feature a lively and thought provoking conversation with Dr. Susan Jane Colley, the Andrew and Pauline Delaney Professor of Mathematics at Oberlin College and Editor-in-Chief of the American Mathematical Monthly, the most widely read mathematics journal in the world. Susan grew up in NYC, in Manhattan, and attended a K-12 all-girls school. She earned her undergraduate and Ph.D. degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, otherwise known as MIT, in the Boston area. Her research is in enumerative geometry. She has spent her entire career on the faculty at Oberlin College and in 2017, she became the first woman to serve as editor of the American Mathematical Monthly. I (this is Della speaking) have learned a great deal from her as I prepare to succeed her in this role. This conversation with Susan underscores the ongoing influence of a strong educational beginning, the importance of effective communication, and the value of daily, intentional efforts to recharge and reset. And, if you love cats, especially if you love cats with mathematical names and nicknames, you will really enjoy this conversation. So, please join us as we talk with Susan.

Today we feature a remarkably honest conversation with Dr. Frank Farris, Professor of Mathematics and Chair at Santa Clara University.  Frank is a fourth generation Californian who grew up in the Los Angeles area. He attended Pomona College as an undergraduate and earned his PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He studied geometry and, over time, that original mathematical interest expanded into a rich study of mathematics and art. He is the author of Creating Symmetry: The Artful Mathematics of Wallpaper Patterns which he published in 2015 with Princeton University Press. He has served as editor of Mathematics Magazine and is currently a member of the MAA’s Council on Publications and Communications. In this conversation, above all else, Frank talks openly about what it means to belong to yourself, he also offers a guide for writing, and discusses the importance of a “home for your heart.” So, please join us as we talk with Frank.

Frank’s website: https://math.scu.edu/~ffarris/

Frank’s book, Creating Symmetry: The Artful Mathematics or Wallpaper Patterns: https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691161730/creating-symmetry

If you want to rethink your classroom in exciting and innovative ways, this conversation is for you. Today we feature a motivating conversation with Erica Winterer, a PhD candidate in STEM education at the University of Texas Austin where she is working under the direction of Yuri Treisman. She earned her undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering and then taught for two years in the Teach for America program and two additional years at the high school level in New Orleans. Erica calls attention to the importance of parents who model a strong work ethic, the power of regularly reflecting on and talking about teaching, and her hopes for students in her classroom that extend far beyond the content. And, a little bit of a spoiler alert, she also sneaks in some thoughts about adopting a 7-year-old daughter while finishing her dissertation. So, please join us as we talk with Erica Winterer.

Today we have an exciting conversation with Dr. Erica Flapan, the editor in chief of the Notices of the American Mathematical Society, the official magazine of the society that is distributed to more than 30,000 colleagues every month. Erica earned her Ph.D. from the University of Madison Wisconsin and served on the faculty at Pomona College for 32 years . While there, she authored and co-authored several books, the titles of two of them show her breadth as a mathematician, When Topology Meets Chemistry and Number Theory: A Lively Introduction with Proofs, Applications, and stories. The Mathematical Association of America has recognized Erica’s teaching with the Haimo Award and the Association for Women in Mathematics celebrated her outstanding mentorship of women with the M. Gweneth Humphreys award. In this conversation, you will hear about the power of a personal refrain, the role of a supportive family, and the importance of discovering and leveraging personal skills. So, please join us as we talk with Dr. Erica Flapan.

Pomona College webpage: https://pages.pomona.edu/~elf04747/

AMS announcement of Erica Flapan as Notices Editor: http://www.ams.org/news?news_id=4010

Erica's book, Knots, Molecules, and the Universe: An Introduction to Topology: https://bookstore.ams.org/mbk-96

If you have ever felt challenged or discouraged, this upcoming conversation is for you. Today we feature an inspirational and breathtakingly honest conversation with Dr. Zerotti Woods, a mathematician in the applied physics laboratory at Johns Hopkins University. Zerotti earned his undergraduate degree from Morehouse College and his PhD in mathematics in 2019 from the University of Georgia. In this encouraging conversation, Zerotti talks about the important insights he gained from growing up in inner city Atlanta, the critical role of mentors in advancing individuals, and the power of a mother and a mother’s voice. Please join us as we talk with Dr. Zerotti Woods.

JHU website: https://ep.jhu.edu/faculty/zerotti-woods/

Mathematically Gifted and Black website: https://mathematicallygiftedandblack.com/honorees/zerotti-woods/

Today our guest is Talithia Williams, Associate Professor of Mathematics at Harvey Mudd College.  You may know her from her TED talk “Own your body’s data” or her book Power in Numbers: The Rebel women of mathematics or as the cohost of the PBS series Nova Wonders. She grew up in Columbus Georgia, and did her undergraduate at Spelman College. She earned a masters in Math from Howard, and a PhD in Statistics from Rice.  She is committed to making sophisticated mathematics accessible to broad audiences. In this very lively conversation, you will not only see how her life underscores the power of effective mentoring, the influence of personal and professional support, and the benefits of community, but you will also learn about the incredibly unusual item she has situated on her desk. Please join us as we talk with Talithia Williams.

Talithia’s personal webpage: https://www.talithiawilliams.com

Ted Talk “Own your body’s data”: https://www.ted.com/talks/talithia_williams_own_your_body_s_data

Power in Numbers: The Rebel Women of Mathematics: https://www.maa.org/press/maa-reviews/power-in-numbers-the-rebel-women-of-mathematics

Join former MAA President Deanna Haunsperger and Monthly Editor Della Dumbaugh as they explore the lives of mathematicians in this podcast to reveal the humanity of the discipline. These conversations will inspire others with their shared experiences of challenge and support, of doubt and devotion, and of isolation and community.