UHCL math lecturer named 2024 Project NExT Fellow

Dr. Nelson Carter, Senior Lecturer of Mathematics at the University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL) was recently named a 2024 Project New Experiences in Teaching (NExT) Fellow of the Mathematics Association of America (MAA). MAA's Project NExT program is designed to support new or recent doctorates in mathematical sciences. The program prepares its fellows to become productive mathematics faculty members and future leaders of the mathematics community by fostering strong teaching, mentoring, and research skills. Project NExT annually selects a cohort of approximately 100 college and university faculty members across the United States and Canada.

Carter will be inducted into the '24 Blue cohort at MathFest in August, joining Dr. Tom Fox, Department Chair of Mathematics and Statistics, who was inducted into the Silver Dot cohort in 1998.

"As a Project NExT alumnus, I was happy to see Nelson become a NExT fellow," said Fox. "I have no doubt that he will benefit greatly from the mentoring it provides in teaching, research, and service as he continues his career as a faculty member in the Mathematics and Statistics Department here at UH-Clear Lake."

Carter is engaging in a special pre-session focused on exploring alternative grading methods and is particularly eager to learn more about them.

"The abstract for the talk was intriguing because it challenges the typical method of 'weighted averaging' that most of us use," said Carter. "I hope to integrate the information I learn into the core curriculum assessment process that Texas requires us to undergo for all core courses," he continued. "Furthermore, I hope to incorporate what I learn into a capacity-building grant through the National Science Foundation (NSF) I'm working on with my colleagues."

Although research support is an important aspect of NExT, Dr. Carter is more interested in the professional development opportunities related to teaching and mentorship. He aims to help students achieve their career goals, doing whatever he can to help them get their start.

"Unquestionably, NExT will make me a better teacher, which is why the program originally piqued my interest," said Carter. "However, being a first-generation college student from the Houston area who attended UHCL, I find the mentoring opportunities even more exciting."

Building on this passion for mentorship, Carter also addressed the key challenges and opportunities in mathematics education today, noting UHCL's active role in addressing these through its programs.

"One thing is trying to help our students who lost learning opportunities during the pandemic. That's a multifaceted challenge," said Carter. "In terms of opportunity, I think integrating mathematics education into a more overarching STEM education is a big opportunity," Carter explained. "To some people, STEM is an umbrella term for Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics. In other words, any one area is considered STEM. But research shows we should focus more on integrating STEM holistically."

Ultimately, Carter's goal is to impart knowledge and inspire a lifelong passion for learning in his students. He hopes his students look back on their experience with him years later, smile, and are proud of what they have become.

For more information about UHCL's Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction program, contact Dr. Omah M Williams-Duncan at [email protected]. For information about UHCL's B.S. or M.S. programs in Mathematics or Statistics, contact Dr. Tom Fox at [email protected].

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