Minnesota Mathematician Takes Office as President of the Mathematical Association of America

Washington, D.C. - Mathematician Deanna Haunsperger of Carleton College in Northfield, MN takes office as the president of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) on Feb. 1, 2017. As president of the MAA, Haunsperger represents the world’s largest community of mathematicians, students, and enthusiasts.

"I am excited to have Deanna serve as MAA president. Her history of leadership, both within the association and in the mathematical sciences community, demonstrates a commitment to excellence and inclusion that are especially relevant as MAA begins our second century," said Michael Pearson, executive director of MAA. "Under Deanna's leadership, the MAA will continue to provide leadership and vision that ensure a welcoming environment for the diverse, global talent pool who creates the advances in mathematics that drive society.”

“I’m most excited to get to know more of our members through our meetings, and to give back to the association that has meant so much to me personally and professionally throughout my career,” said Haunsperger.

Haunsperger has been a professor of mathematics for more than 25 years. She earned her B.A. in mathematics and computer science at Simpson College, and her Ph.D. in mathematics from Northwestern University. Outside of her research in social choice theory, Haunsperger has devoted her life to the support of the mathematical community, particularly in encouraging women to pursue mathematical careers.

After serving a year as president-elect, one of the challenges Haunsperger plans to tackle during her term as president of the MAA is to bring more early career mathematicians into the MAA, including graduate students. “The MAA is a welcoming community filled with opportunities to learn more mathematics, to learn about the teaching of mathematics, and to share ideas in a supportive environment,” she said.

Haunsperger’s ongoing contributions to the mathematical community earned her several awards, including the MAA’s Meritorious Service Award in 2016 and the American Mathematical Society’s Programs that Make a Difference Award in 2014. She earned multiple NSF grants to fund the Summer Mathematics Program for Women at Carleton College, which encouraged hundreds of women to pursue their passion for mathematics.

The new president has published two books with Stephen Kennedy, A Century of Advancing Mathematics, and The Edge of the Universe, as well as many papers in various mathematical journals.

Haunsperger is excited to continue her legacy of mathematical leadership in a new role, but remains deeply tied to the MAA membership. “Members should know that I want to know what they are thinking about and what concerns they have. The MAA should be a grassroots organization, and the function of the leadership team should be to listen to and take guidance from its members,” she said.