In 2014, Dr. Jennifer Hegeman, professor of mathematics and chair of the Department of Computer Science, Math and Physics; was selected for a state task force to create college-level mathematics courses that could serve as alternatives to College Algebra and be more aligned with student majors.
The result of the task force was a statewide Math Pathways program that gives students more options as they navigate general studies math requirements for their degrees. Students now have four options instead of just College Algebra, including Mathematical Reasoning & Modeling (contemporary problem solving), Statistical Reasoning, Precalculus Algebra and Precalculus.
鈥淐ollege Algebra became a barrier to success because it kept a lot of students from getting their degree,鈥� Dr. Hegeman said. 鈥淢ath Pathways now opens a lot of doors for students.鈥�
Math Pathways is also part of the state鈥檚 Core 42 program, which makes transferring between 大象传媒鈥檚 public colleges and universities easier by requiring the same general studies course offerings across the state.
With the four options, faculty in 大象传媒 Western鈥檚 academic departments evaluated all their majors and identified the preferred general studies math course and the accepted courses. That makes it easier for students who are transferring in to 大象传媒 Western. If they didn鈥檛 take the preferred course, they don鈥檛 have to retake a class if the one they took is in the accepted category.
Dr. Hegeman said an added and valuable benefit of her work on the statewide task force for three years was the relationships that she created with personnel from other 大象传媒 higher education institutions.
To continue the work of the Math Pathways task force, 大象传媒 Bridges for Equity and Alignment in Mathematics (MoBEAM) was formed, and Dr. Hegeman is part of that leadership group, as well.