Education

Elementary Schools:

          Saint Stephen’s (Caseyville, IL)

          Saints Peter and Paul (Collinsville, IL)

Collinsville High School (2000-04):

          I was involved in soccer, tennis, and the drama club/Thespian Troupe 643 (Act well thy part).  I also took part in the math team, winning several awards and being named most valuable team member, as well as Mu Alpha Theta and National Honor Society.  I took Advanced Placement exams for two English classes, US History, Physics, and Calculus AB.  I earned twelve credit hours with English Literature, Physics I, and Calculus I.

Southwestern Illinois College (04-06):

          I attended the Belleville campus, participating in two plays.  I took 73 credit hours in addition to those earned from AP Exams.  I earned two associate degrees, one in science and one in arts.  My subject areas focused on mathematics and philosophy.  I was given the award of Outstanding Math Student in the 05-06 school year.

Illinois State University (06-09):

          I transferred in as a junior with all General Education requirements met, and 68 credits accepted in the fall of 2008.  I was awarded the Douglas and Dorothy Bey mathematics scholarship and the 2008 Undergraduate Research Scholar Award, was named 2008 Outstanding Mathematics Senior, and have passed actuarial exams FM/2, P/1, and MFE/3F.  I participated in the Putnam competition both years, scoring a 10, then a 20.  I graduated with a 4.0 GPA, obtaining a bachelor’s in mathematics in May 2008.

          I took three classes for graduate credit in the Spring 2008 semester, and attended as a graduate student for the 2008-2009 year.  I nearly completed a master’s degree, but moved on to work on the PhD.

University of Illinois (09-present)

          I am working toward a PhD in mathematics.

Work Experience

Ponderosa Steakhouse

(May 2002-Aug. 2007):

          I began working as a dishwasher, and after about a year and a half, eventually made my way to waiting tables.

Illinois State University, Developmental Math (Sept. 2006-May 2008):

          I worked for the University College as a tutor for developmental math classes (algebra classes).  I also later worked for the math department’s tutoring lab, helping with classes up to CalcIII.

Country Financial

Actuarial Intern

(May 2008-Aug 2008)

          Worked in an actuarial capacity in the product development section.  An excellent experience, and it would have been an even better one if I had decided to continue with actuarial training rather than go into academia.

Illinois State University

Mathematics Department Graduate Assistant

(Aug. 2008-May 2009)

          I worked as a TA for two sections of ISUs MAT113, “Elements of Mathematical Reasoning.”  The class goes through some basic and applicable math concepts, and is geared toward non-science majors at the university.  I also held hours in the tutoring lab.

University of Illinois

Mathematics Department Graduate Assistant

(Aug 2009-present)

          I’ll be getting assignments to grading, assisting, or teaching depending on my class schedule.