Math Professor Secures National Science Foundation Grant to Advance Math Education
Professor of Mathematics, Dr. Dana Clahane, was recently awarded a federal grant of $499,893 by the National Science Foundation (NSF). A prestigious award, the grant will elevate undergraduate mathematics education in a project titled “Building Mathematics Research Communities at Two-Year Colleges” (BMRCTYC).
Over the next three years, BMRCTYC will establish local Mathematics Research Communities at eight participating two-year colleges. The project, chaired by Dr. Clahane and Professor of Mathematics at Glendale Community College, Dr. Laura Watkins, will also leverage the nationwide reach and activities of the American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges (AMATYC) Research and Mentoring Experiences for Students and Faculty Academic Network (RMESF ANet).
“Students involved in this grant project will experience a deeper sense of community and increased confidence in their ability to improve their own talent and achievement in mathematics by being involved in a national set of math events that feature faculty mentorship and opportunities to participate in a research project” said Dr. Clahane, “We hope to increase student comfort with formalization, understanding and the capacity to collaborate with others to make mathematical contributions that are useful in STEM.”
The primary goals of BMRCTYC are to:
- Develop a flexible model supporting two-year college math research communities.
- Prepare and support faculty research coordinators to add local model components tailored to their campuses.
- Investigate the implementation and long-term sustainability of research cultures at the community college level.
- Share adaptable resources, toolkits and research findings with California Community Colleges.
The project will also collect critical evidence on the conditions under which two-year colleges can foster inclusive, research-supportive environments that build student curiosity, confidence, belonging and ongoing engagement in STEM learning.
“Dr. Clahane’s work is an important step toward expanding undergraduate research opportunities for community college students,” said Vice President of Instruction, Dr. Carlos Ayon. “We know that access to these types of learning experiences can make a meaningful difference in students’ confidence, sense of belonging and preparation for transfer and continued success in STEM fields.”
Awarded to Fullerton College, BMRCTYC will boost high-impact educational practices and opportunities to strengthen engagement and preparation for STEM careers. The work will help provide regular opportunities for students and faculty to engage in mathematical inquiry through research seminars, labs, structured mentoring and direct connections to national research mentoring networks.
A huge milestone with an exciting, innovative future ahead, Dr. Clahane’s grant exemplifies the NSF’s mission to accelerate and advance evidence-based practices in undergraduate STEM education while uplifting future professionals from historically marginalized backgrounds.
“By bringing these opportunities to more community college students, particularly those who have historically had limited access to undergraduate research, we can begin to address longstanding achievement gaps and create stronger paths to student success,” said Dr. Ayon, “What is particularly exciting is the opportunity to take work that began here at Fullerton College and expand its impact to community colleges across the country.”
