ABOUT ME
PRESENT:
I am an Associate Professor of Mathematics at Converse University in Spartanburg, SC. I live in Spartanburg and love to explore the Carolinas.
PAST:
I was a first-generation college student who just kept going. I was born and raised in beautiful southeastern Kentucky, in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains. I grew up surrounded by the Daniel Boone National Forest and Laurel Lake.
I received a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky. While at Transylvania I had the pleasure of also studying Philosophy and Computer Science, being a writing center consultant, and working in several summer camps for K-12 students from eastern Kentucky.
I enrolled in graduate school at the University of Iowa in order to further pursue my interest in mathematics, and in May 2015 I received my Ph.D.
ONGOING:
Math has opened many doors for me, but there are a number of other pursuits which have served my mind and body. Other academic interests of mine include philosophy, computer science, and mathematics education. My personal interests include reading, yoga, hiking, and cooking. In 2021 I completed a 200-hour training program to become a certified yoga instructor.
MY SKILLSET
I'm a mathematics PhD and professor focused on student development and curricular innovation. I am passionate about mentoring motivated students pursuing degrees and careers in mathematics, data science, computer science, and related fields.
TEACHING
I'm an award-winning educator, having received two major excellence in teaching awards in the past 4Â years. I have experience teaching over 20 different courses.
RESEARCH
Since 2015 I've contributed to three different mathematics research projects, mentored six students as they completed independent research, and supervised four honors theses in mathematics.
LEADERSHIP
As chair of the mathematics and computer science department I have worked to execute a number of strategic initiatives for the college, including launch of a data science program. I have served on over 10 different committees.
February 2021 - Present
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF MATHEMATICS, CONVERSE UNIVERSITY
June 2023 - August 2023
VISITING ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF MATHEMATICS, SUMMER@ICERM CO-DIRECTOR, BROWN UNIVERSITY
August 2015 - February 2021
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF MATHEMATICS, CONVERSE UNIVERSITY
January 2011 - May 2015
GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANT, UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
June-July 2013
TEACHING ASSISTANT, SUMMER PROGRAM FOR WOMEN IN MATHEMATICS, GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
PH.D., MATHEMATICS
University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA.
Dissertation: "A Ring Theoretic Approach to Radicals of Extensions"
M.S., MATHEMATICS
University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA.
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN COLLEGE TEACHING
University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA.
B.A., MATHEMATICS
Transylvania University, Lexington, KY.
OUTREACH
Together with a colleague I started a Girls Who Code club for 6th-12th grade students in Upstate South Carolina. We have weekly meetings during which the participants write code to create webpages, games, and more.
More information here.
"The vast majority of us imagine ourselves as literature people or math people. But the truth is that the massive processor known as the human brain is neither a literature organ or a math organ. It is both and more."
John Green
CONTACT
jessica dot sorrells at converse dot edu