University of New Haven Academy Multiplies Girls’ Enthusiasm for Math

Paul Nunez ’88 recently returned to his alma mater with his daughter, Michaela, a ninth grader who attended the University’s All Girls Math Academy last summer. They returned to campus recently for a reunion with the academy participants and to reflect on the impact of the experience.

“The All Girls Math Academy was an extraordinary program,” said Nunez, a graduate of the University’s mechanical engineering program who is a design engineer for ASSA ABLOY. “It hit on Michaela’s interests, including math, games, and puzzles."

"We want everyone to know about the great opportunities to study and explore math at the University of New Haven."Yevgenia Rivers, M.S., M.A.

Hosted by the University’s Department of Mathematics and Physics, the participants and their families, as well as University of New Haven students and faculty members, came together to celebrate a love of learning and their shared passion for math.

“We want everyone to know about the great opportunities to study and explore math at the University of New Haven,” said Yevgeniya Rivers, M.S., M.A., a lecturer in the University’s Department of Mathematics and Physics and director of the Math Zone. “This was also a great way for the University to be involved in the community.”

At the reunion, Daniel Cicala, Ph.D., a math instructor at the University, discussed the many career opportunities in the field of mathematics. He also gave an interactive presentation on game theory, which uses mathematical models to analyze decision making.

Skyler Szerszen ’21, a mechanical engineering major who served as a teaching assistant during the camp last summer, was excited that the girls had the opportunity to explore mathematics at a young age.

"The camp opened me up to new dimensions. I uncovered secrets of logic and math, and I was able to use that to understand concepts and put them into words."Michaela Nunez

“I’ve always loved math,” she said. “I wish I’d had the chance to take part in a program like this when I was younger.”

A six-day summer camp, the All-Girls Math Academy brings together girls entering grades 7 through 10. It includes seminars by University faculty members on special topics in math and computer science.

Michaela Nunez is already looking forward to this year’s session, which will take place in June, and will include a (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) panel, a trip to the National Museum of Mathematics in New York City, and instruction in coding.

“The camp opened me up to new dimensions,” she said. “I uncovered secrets of logic and math, and I was able to use that to understand concepts and put them into words.”