Stat Colloquium: Dr. Mary Ochieng

Title: Leveraging Community to Build  Capacity in Mathematical Sciences

Abstract: The need to foster greater engagement with mathematics at all levels of learning from schools to tertiary institutions cannot be overstated. However, addressing this challenge demands coordinated effort, interdisciplinary perspectives, and shared responsibility. This presentation will highlight joint initiatives with Strathmore University in Kenya, alongside other partner universities and agencies, aimed at strengthening engagement with mathematics across educational levels. One of the shared initiatives centers on building a vibrant community of mathematics faculty across universities in Africa to support the effective use of the open-source online assessment system, STACK (System for Teaching and Assessment using a Computer Algebra Kernel). The initiatives also include strengthening mathematics camps as spaces that both motivate students and serve as professional development platforms for teachers. In addition, structured university student internships are being used to enhance engagement with mathematics, particularly in contexts where some learners are at risk of being left behind. One significant outcome of these shared efforts is the emergence of cross-institutional research collaborations among universities and agencies dedicated to promoting and sustaining quality mathematics instruction. This presentation will highlight some of the ongoing research emerging from these initiatives.

Title: The City on the Hills Through a Fulbright Lens: Reflections from Oneonta

Abstract: Oneonta is a city in upstate New York also referred to as the city on the hills. It is situated in the Susquehana Valley and the northern foothills of the Catskill mountains. This location means that the winters are long, cold and snowy. The population is about 15,000, predominantly white and fairly young population, because of the two colleges in the city. What does spending an academic year in Oneonta mean for a middle-aged African woman from a university in the city of Nairobi, Kenya? In this presentation I will share reflections on my perceptions of Oneonta and how the Fulbright core values of fostering mutual understanding, strengthening peaceful international relations, and promoting educational and cultural exchange have shaped my interactions in Oneonta. I will also highlight Fulbright opportunities for faculty and students.