School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences


Welcome and introduction

Minutes prepared by Matthias Kawski

Meeting of Fri Aug 25, 2006.
Faculty present: Anne Gelb, Steve Kaliszewski, and Matthias Kawski.
Students present: see below.

  • Welcome and introduction
      PFF fellows this year (some missed 1st meeting), some have partial time conflicts.
      • Ali Kemal Unver, Ali.Unver@asu.edu,
      • Antonio Rubio, antonio.rubio@yahoo.com, and rubio@mathpost.asu.edu,
      • Chad Awtrey, awtrey@asu.edu,
      • David King, dbking@mathpost.asu.edu,
      • David Murillo, dlm35@mathpost.asu.edu,
      • David Tello, dtello@mathpost.asu.edu,
      • Edgar Diaz, diaz@mathpost.asu.edu,
      • Hao Wang, hao_wang@mathpost.asu.edu,
      • Karyn Sutton, sutton@mathpost.asu.edu,
      • Muhammed Dur-e-ahmad, ahmad@mathpost.asu.edu,
      • Paul-Leonard Salceanu, salceanu@mathpost.la.asu.edu,
      • Reynaldo Castro-Estrada, rcastro@mathpost.la.asu.edu,
      • Sharon Lima, Sharon.Lima@asu.edu,
      • Thanate Dhirasakdanon, thanate@mathpost.asu.edu,
      • Trent Lalonde, lalonde@mathpost.asu.edu,
      • Vu Pham, vupham@mathpost.asu.edu,
      • Wang Juh (Sting) Chen, sting@mathpost.asu.edu,
      • Yan Lu, luyan@mathpost.asu.edu

      Staff support:

      • Debbie Olson, debbie.olson@asu.edu.

      Faculty:

      • Anne Gelb, ag@math.la.asu.edu,
      • Matt Kawski, kawski@asu.edu, and
      • Steve Kaliszewski, kaliszewski@asu.edu.

  • Largest PFF gropup ever at ASU math, all Ph.D. students, a few in their last year looking for jobs next year, nice representation of many different areas of interest. Unfortunate lack of anything close to gender equity (diversity issues are a major topic in our PFF program, especially hiring and promotion).

  • Overview of the program and
    • Start from our WWW-site.
    • Origins of nationwide PFF initiatives. Some remarks about our history as a federally funded model.
    • Some core threads:
      • Making sure to be able to teach (no big issue in math w/ all the TA work).
      • Diversity of colleges that offer faculty positions, from huge research universities and small elite liberal arts colleges all the way to community colleges etc. --> Campus visits and some small projects to get real insight.
      • Preparing for a successful job search.
      • Faculty work more than 2 x 3 hours (in the class-room) per week --- what do they do in the other time? Introduction to diverse responsibilities.
    • Brief look at typical program/ week-2-week calendar. Some anticipated changes this year (add/delete sessions, reorder then, campus visits and projects...)

  • First commitments.
    • PFF-www-site: Wang Juh (Sting) Chen, assisted by David King, Paul-Leonard Salceanu
    • Graduate student seminar: Trent Lalonde, Antonio Rubio, and Reynaldo Castro.

  • Next regular meeting: (bring your own lunch)
    Fri Sep 1, 12:00 - 1:30, GWC 604. TBD: "Job search I" overview of the job market, finding and readings ads, time-line, requirements.

    Mark your calendar:
    PFF Fall Reception: Thu Sep 7 2006, 4:00-6:00 p.m. in the MU: Union Stage, Lower Level