Rate My Professor Mike Smith

Michael D. Smith, Ph.D., is Assistant Professor of Mathematical Sciences and Chair of the Department at Lycoming College, where he has served since 2011. He holds a B.A. from Connecticut College and a Ph.D. in algebra from the University of Virginia, with a specialization in non-associative algebra. Smith teaches courses including combinatorics, matrix algebra, and abstract algebra, and serves as coordinator of the actuarial science program. Renowned for his innovative teaching methods, he incorporates "Fun Fridays" into all his classes, utilizing kinesthetic activities such as contra dancing, canoeing, and card games to illustrate mathematical concepts and promote classroom equity for diverse learners. These approaches emphasize active learning and tactile experiences, making abstract mathematics accessible and engaging for students.

Smith's research centers on mathematics education, particularly strategies for transition to proofs courses and tactile learning in undergraduate classrooms. He has earned prestigious teaching awards, including the Junior Faculty Teaching Award from Lycoming College in Spring 2016; the All-University Graduate Teaching Award from the University of Virginia in Spring 2006; the Mathematics Department Teaching Award from the University of Virginia in Fall 2005; and the Seven Society Award for Superb Teaching from the University of Virginia in Spring 2004. His publications include "Sharks, Minnows, and Wheelbarrows: Calculus Modeling Projects" (PRIMUS, 2011), "The Parity Theorem Shuffle" (PRIMUS, 2016), "Introducing Abelian Groups with Bullseyes and Jenga" (PRIMUS, 2016), and "The Euclidean Discus Toss," forthcoming in Touch it, Feel it, Learn It: Tactile Learning in the Undergraduate Mathematics Classroom, edited by Julie Barns and Jessica Mikhaylov. Additional works feature active learning ideas for proofs courses (PRIMUS, 2023). Through his pedagogical contributions, Smith has influenced mathematics instruction at Lycoming College and beyond, supporting student success in actuarial exams and advanced studies.