Linda McGuire
Education
- Ph.D., M.S., Stevens Institute of Technology
- B.S., Seton Hall University
Teaching Interests
I am originally from a small, historically-designated lake community in New Jersey, replete with gingerbread houses, an adorable little library and a community tabernacle. Growing up there I developed an appreciation for what it means to be a member of a community. Seeking such a situation in my adult life, I consider myself lucky to have become a member of the Muhlenberg College community.
Coming from a “blue collar” family and being a first-generation college student, absolutely everything about navigating college was foreign to me when I was an undergraduate.
I am a mathematician interested in how mathematics helps us understand our world and ourselves. While I advocate studying mathematics for its own sake (it really is super fun when you get to know it), I fully appreciate how mathematics enlightens and facilitates progress in areas such as business, medicine, science, engineering and industry. I am also a mathematics educator interested in understanding how mathematical concepts are best communicated and how the study of mathematics helps students develop their abilities to think and communicate clearly and creatively. I enjoy teaching a broad spectrum of courses across the mathematics curriculum. It has also been fun to develop first-year seminar and cluster courses that emphasize analytical thinking and writing.
Research, Scholarship or Creative/Artistic Interests
My mathematical interests are in combinatorics and graph theory, especially applied problems that require graphical models. I enjoy working on questions of optimal design for structures such as mass transit systems, communication systems and computer networks. I have growing interests in applied statistics, mathematical modeling and applied linear algebra. I enjoy putting energy into undergraduate problem-solving, undergraduate research and games and puzzles with mathematical connections. Teaching is what I love doing most, so I also focus research and writing efforts on mathematical pedagogy.
Another important thread in my scholarly life is working on issues related to equity, inclusion, and social justice, both in academia and in our broader society. In particular, I am interested in developing and promoting inclusive practices in STEM education. I serve as faculty advisor to two student groups: the Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM) and the Women in Stem (WiSTEM) student chapter. I am always pleased to collaborate with students and colleagues on grassroots initiatives that can lead to systemic change.
In my spare time I enjoy reading, writing, hiking, yoga, dancing, old movies, concerts and theater, experimental cooking and spontaneous travel adventures. My activities are always enhanced when they include spending time with friends and family.
- Calculus II
- CUE: Landmarks of Mathematics
- Dana Scholars Directed Studies: Ethics of Mathematics
- Discrete Mathematics
- Mathematics Independent Study/Research - Topics: Complex Analysis
- Transition to Abstract Mathematics
Selected Publications
Invited Article: It Adds Up: The mathematics of social justice and a diverse STEM community, AAC&U’s Liberal Education, Volume 110, No. 1, March 2024.
Invited Book Chapter: Mathematical Dramaturgy: Connecting Mathematics and the Literary Arts (with Tara Werner*, Class of 2017). In Teaching Mathematics through Cross-curricular Projects (E. Donovan, L. Hoots, and L. Wigglesworth (eds)), AMS & MAA Press, 2024.
Article: Finding your mathematical roots: Encouraging inclusion and identity development in mathematics, Journal of Humanistic Mathematics, Volume 14, Issue 1, January 2024.
Book Chapter: The EPaDel Community (with X. Catepillan), as part of Count Me In: Community and Belonging in Mathematics (D. Haunsperger and D. Dumbaugh, editors), AMS & MAA Press, Volume 68, February 2022.
"Feminist Theories Informing Mathematical Practice," In: Sriraman B. (eds) Handbook of the Mathematics of the Arts and Sciences. Springer, Cham. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-70658-0_77-1
"Promoting Inclusion by Tracing Our Mathematical Roots," The National Teaching and Learning Forum, Wiley Online, Volume 28(5), September 2019.
"Addressing Mathematical Microaggressions," Mellon-sponsored Muhlenberg volume (Re)Considering Human Diversity and Global Engagement at Muhlenberg College. September 2018.
"Proving in the Right Circles," MAA Notes Volume, Beyond Lecture: Resources and Pedagogical Techniques for Enhancing the Teaching of Proof-Writing Across the Curriculum, February 2017.
Article: "(Explain It) x 3," invited submission to special edition of PRIMUS, 24(7), 2014, p. 560 - 573.
"Using Senior Exit Interviews to Identify and Advance Department Initiatives," Proceedings of the 30th Academic Chairperson’s Conference, July 2013.
"The Mathematics Correspondent: An Engaging and Effective Group Project for a Liberal Arts Mathematics Course," PRIMUS, 23(3), 2013, p. 195 – 207.
Selected Presentations
August 2024: MAA MathFest, Indianapolis, IN.
Presentation: Mathematical Dramaturgy: Making connections between mathematics and literature in the Special Session on Teaching Mathematics through Cross-curricular Projects.
January 2024: Joint Mathematics Meetings, San Francisco, CA
Presentation: Honoring the Past: The historical women of the EvenQuads Project in the AWM Special Session on EvenQuads, Live and in person: The honorees and the games.
August 2023: MAA MathFest, Tampa, FL.
Presentation: Common threads: Cultivating community through DEIB work in the session Improving DEI in departments and programs: Examples and Case Studies Session
January 2023: Joint Mathematics Meetings, Boston, MA
Presentation: Mathematics at Play: Patterns of Representation in Modern Theatrical Productions in the AMS Special Session on Mathematics and the Arts
January 2023: Joint Mathematics Meetings, Boston, MA
Invited Panelist: MAA Project NExT- Fostering an Equitable Classroom Environment through Course Design
November 2016: Professional and Organizational Developers Conference, Louisville, KY.
Presentation (with K. Harring): Engaging Faculty in Deep Learning to Support an Interdisciplinary Curriculum.
August 2015: Summer Meetings of the MAA, Washington, DC.
Panel Organizer: Beyond the Post-Doc: Fellowship Opportunities for Mathematics Faculty.
August 2014: Summer Meetings of the MAA, Portland, OR.
Panelist: Chairing the Academic Department, Advice from the Pros
August 2014: Summer Meetings of the MAA, Portland, OR.
Panel Organizer: Open Access Publishing in Mathematics.
January 2014: Joint Meetings of the AMS/MAA, Baltimore, MD.
Panel Organizer: The History of Mathematical Communities (with Amy Shell-Gellasch).
February 2013: Academic Chairperson Conference, San Antonio, TX
Presentation: Using Senior Exit Interviews to Identify and Advance Department Initiatives.
January 2013: Joint Meetings of the AMS/MAA, San Diego, CA.
Presentation: (Explain It) x 3.
James P. Crawford Award for Distinguished Teaching, Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware section of the Mathematical Association of America, 2023
Christian and Mary Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching, 2008
National Project NExT Fellow, Mathematical Association of America, 1998
Bridge Builder Awards from the Academic Resource Center
Mathematics
Mathematics, Computer Science & Statistics
Sustainability Studies
Contact: lindamcguire@muhlenberg.edu