DUBUQUE, Iowa – Angela Kolhhaas, associate professor of mathematics at Loras College, was recently awarded the Iowa Section Distinguished College or University Teaching of Mathematics Award for the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).
The award is presented to a professor who is widely recognized as extraordinarily successful in their teaching, has teaching effectiveness that can be documented, has had influence in their teaching beyond their institution and fosters curiosity and generates excitement about mathematics in their students.
“Our conferences are always inspiring for me, pushing me to engage my students on ever-deeper levels and to empower my students to discover mathematical concepts and connections on their own,” Kolhhaas said. “Based on the number of innovative, passionate professors in our section, I am especially honored to receive this award.”
Kohlhaas’ commitment to students expands beyond the classroom.
“Though I continue to work to improve student-centered pedagogies in my classroom, I spend just as much time working with students outside of the classroom. I generally have several students at a time during office hours and our program’s evening math help sessions. I often prefer this to having one student at a time, because it means that while I answer one student (usually by responding to their question with questions of my own), others are building a supportive community by explaining concepts to each other and strengthening their confidence in solving problems.”
MAA is the world’s largest community of mathematicians, students, and enthusiasts. Its mission is to advance the understanding of mathematics and its impact on the world.
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About Loras College
Founded in 1839, Loras College leverages its historic roots as Iowa’s first college, the second oldest Catholic college west of the Mississippi River and one of the nation’s 10 diocesan colleges to deliver challenging, life-changing experiences as part of its residential, Catholic setting. In 2019, Loras was the second-highest ranked Catholic college in the state of Iowa according to College Consensus, the 16th Best Regional College in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report and one of America’s Top 200 Most Loved Colleges/Universities by Forbes Magazine for the third consecutive year. Loras students ranked No. 2 in the world as part of the global Peeptrade Investment Challenge while a second group ranked No. 4. For the 10th consecutive year, Loras Media Studies student-led television station (LCTV) was named the TV Station of the Year by the Iowa College Media Association (ICMA).
