VSU professor wants to strengthen belonging and community in mathematics

VALDOSTA-Dr. Lorena Aguirre Salazar of Valdosta State University believes that belonging plays a critical role in math achievement and that community is necessary for deeper, more meaningful learning. Her goal over the next year is to work on creating a shared identity across the mathematics department that builds trust, fosters student success, encourages student contribution, and increases engagement.

“I’m a Latinx person in math,” shared Aguirre Salazar, who joined VSU’s math department in January 2022 as an assistant professor.

“I offer a refreshing look at building community and belonging in math. I bring my background and experience from different countries – Colombia, Brazil, Chile, Israel, Canada, South Africa, United States – and institutions – Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Instituto de Matematica Pura e Aplicada, Universidad de Chile, Technion: Israel Institute of Technology, McMaster University, University of Cape Town, The State University of New York at Buffalo, Valdosta State University – at the table to facilitate the transformation at VSU.”

Although they have only been on campus for a few months, Aguirre Salazar is already stepping up as campus leader, motivated by a desire to create a learning environment where all students feel heard, safe, supported and valued.

Aguirre Salazar hopes to further develop her leadership skills as a Fellow of the 2022-2023 Transforming Post-Secondary Education in Mathematics Leadership Institute. This year-long program helps a diverse group of future leaders in the math community learn new leadership skills and expand their vision of what leadership is.

Aguirre Salazar’s belonging and community-focused project “flows naturally from my involvement on the faculty committee on student engagement at VSU’s College of Science and Mathematics.” They also serve in other leadership roles related to undergraduate research, mentoring Hispanic students, and more. They aspire to the VSU Professional Certificate in Leadership and Management, a program designed to help university employees become more effective leaders in the workplace.

The 2022-2023 Transforming Post-Secondary Education in Mathematics Leadership Institute recently kicked off with a two-day workshop in Utah where Aguirre Salazar learned about the institute’s logistics; attended leadership sessions, such as B. Dealing with difficult people and improving communication skills; listened to leaders in the math community discuss leadership and opportunity; worked on refining their leadership project; and had opportunities to network.

“It was great to meet teachers and leading mathematicians from all over the country with such diverse backgrounds,” said Aguirre Salazar. “I am really looking forward to working on my project this academic year and seeing what can be improved in the near future. This project is just the beginning.”

During the Transforming Post-Secondary Education in Mathematics Leadership Institute 2022-2023, Aguirre Salazar will participate in group meetings to discuss leadership principles and work with an experienced mentor who will provide guidance on completing the leadership project, developing leadership skills and advancing future leadership activities .

Aguirre Salazar’s favorite class at VSU is Introduction to Linear Algebra. You are considered an expert in the calculus of variations and partial differential equations.

“I’m particularly interested in pattern formation in problems in physics, materials science or biology,” says Aguirre Salazar.

On the Internet:
https://www.valdosta.edu/math/
https://www.tpsemath.org/