The Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM) is a non-profit organization with over 3000 members that serves two purposes: first, to encourage women and girls to study and to have active careers in the mathematical sciences and second, to promote equal opportunity and the equal treatment of women and girls in the mathematical sciences. With the support of the Department of Mathematical Sciences, a student chapter of AWM was started in November 2008 with undergraduate student Rachael Bailine as president, and graduate students Kara Maki as vice president, Pamela Kosick as treasurer, as well as Jen Miller as secretary. The faculty advisor for the student chapter is Dr. Pamela Cook.

The Delaware AWM student chapter is open to all undergraduate and graduate students, regardless of gender and major. Its purpose will be to educate and provide information about career opportunities in mathematics, to facilitate networking with professional mathematicians and the Delaware community itself, and develop leadership skills. The chapter fosters the exchange of not only research ideas, but also personal experiences providing Delaware graduates with an edge in the early stages of their career.

The Delaware AWM student chapter will conduct monthly meetings and sponsor activities throughout the academic year. Sponsored activities include invited talks by students or professional mathematicians on either their research or their career path; establishing a mentoring program between junior and senior students as well as students and faculty; informal panel discussions about experiences as women in mathematics; participation in local conferences; organizing stress-free, non-academic group outings; and outreach to local high school students. The top priority for Spring 2009 is to establish the infrastructure for an effective mentoring program. For more information please consult the student chapter's web site at http://www.math.udel.edu/AWM/index.html

Article created: February 25, 2009