Community Development

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Department of Mathematics

In order to develop a graduate student's professional identity, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Mathematics Department helps to build a sense of professional community in many ways.

Peer and Faculty Mentoring

Each new graduate student is assigned a Peer Mentor and a Faculty Mentor. The Peer Mentor is an advanced graduate student and the Faculty Mentor is a member of the permanent faculty. The Peer Mentor and the Faculty Mentor share the responsibility of helping new graduate students adjust to their new surrounding in Lincoln and as members of our graduate program. Mentors counsel new students on managing their time, and advise them on both their coursework and their teaching responsibilities. As the graduate students progress through their graduate studies, the mentors provide advice and encouragement. It is assumed that once a graduate student chooses a PhD advisor, that person will assume the role of Faculty Mentor although the original Faculty Mentor remains available to provide advice as needed.

Mathematical Landscapes Seminar

One way in which students are introduced to research early in their graduate careers is through the "Mathematical Landscapes" seminar, a one-credit course aimed at first year graduate students and advanced undergraduates. The fall semester seminar introduces students to the range of mathematical research that is done in our department. It also provides a perspective on how different areas of mathematics fit together. The seminar meets weekly in an informal atmosphere (complete with coffee and cookies). The talks given are by faculty and postdocs from our department.

Committees

Graduate Students serve on committees throughout the department:

Graduate Advisory Committee

Graduate Student Advisory Board

Carnegie Initiative on the Doctorate Committee

Search Committees for new faculty

Committee for the Nebraska Conference for Undergraduate Women in Mathematics