It was a full day’s meeting at the Conference Board of the Mathematical Sciences. Presidents, Executive Directors, and friends of 19 different mathematics organizations met to work together and support each other in their efforts to promote research, improve education, and expand the uses of mathematics. It’s a great group of people and I amContinue reading “December 2 Day 999: Mathematical Cooperation”
Category Archives: service
September 19 Day 925: Hard to Believe
Dear Pierce County Superior Court, Do you realize that I just finished by previous jury duty service LAST WEEK? It doesn’t seem fair to ask me to serve again almost immediately. In King County, I would be eligible for an excusal since I served “within the last 12 months.” At least that is what theirContinue reading “September 19 Day 925: Hard to Believe”
September 15 Day 921: 0 for 7
And so this episode of my jury duty saga came to a close. I was not selected to be a juror…again (and I do not have to return for the rest of the week.) This was the seventh time I answered a summons. On average, I get called once every 4-5 years. When I participateContinue reading “September 15 Day 921: 0 for 7”
September 14 Day 920: Uncertainty Rules
It’s impossible to plan when serving on jury duty. I am grateful that I was not made to sit around the juror room on Monday or Tuesday with nothing to do. I put that time to good use. Today, however, I was called in. I have a badge and am waiting to be sent toContinue reading “September 14 Day 920: Uncertainty Rules”
September 11 Day 917: Civic Duty
Tomorrow begins my last week of summer and the start of my latest jury summons. It is my turn to serve–one week or one trial, whichever is longest. As per the instructions, I called in to hear the daily recording. My group is not reporting tomorrow. This is the seventh time I have answered aContinue reading “September 11 Day 917: Civic Duty”
July 24 Day 868: Your Opinions May Vary
I am pleased to announce that the opinion piece I authored for the AMS Notices is now available online. I wrote it specifically for academics in mathematics, yet I believe the need to align metrics of merit with institutional mission and values applies to all disciplines (and all institutions.) I share it with you nowContinue reading “July 24 Day 868: Your Opinions May Vary”
February 23 Day 717: In Search of…Effective Leadership
I’ve been thinking about what it means to be a good leader, again. My institution is at the start of the search for a Dean of the School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences. We are working on the position description, a job ad, and an assessment rubric. Pulling together the desired characteristics and experiences ofContinue reading “February 23 Day 717: In Search of…Effective Leadership”
January 26 Day 689: It’s Pretty Sticky
I love Post-It Note activities to bring a group together as we work towards a common goal. After today’s assessment work group meeting, I created this activity to prepare for our next discussion. The circles represent the four majors in the Science and Math (SAM) Division of the School of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences atContinue reading “January 26 Day 689: It’s Pretty Sticky”
January 11 Day 674: A Whole Lot of Nothing
Before the pandemic, the selfish were rewarded and the selfless were taken advantage of. During the pandemic nothing has changed. Except we keep asking for more from the people that already give too much. Who do you think does the work? And who gets rewarded? It isn’t right. We need to change the system. ForContinue reading “January 11 Day 674: A Whole Lot of Nothing”
December 10 Day 642: Daydream Believers
We can dream up idealized solutions to a problem. Others can agree it’s a good solution and want to implement. But please don’t present your daydreams as real solutions until you have confirmed with all parties involved and understand the limitations. Just saying. Cover image created using one of my own photos and DeepArt.io.
Math in the Time of Corona 