Alumni Profiles: Allison Henrich, '08 PhD Mathematics

Allison Henrich is an alumna of Dartmouth College with a Master of Arts in Mathematics ('05) and PhD in Mathematics ('08). Growing up knowing her passion was to teach, Henrich tailored her academic career towards undergraduate teaching. As a graduate student in Dartmouth's Math Department, she and her peers were required to attend a teaching seminar which effectively helped Henrich understand the psychology of how people learn and what methods she can utilize as a teacher in her future classes. 

Being a woman in a STEM field has not deterred her from her studies or teaching aspirations. One of the many who have helped her in her graduate journey was Professor Carolyn Gordon, former President of the Association of Women in Mathematics, who consistently helped Henrich to achieve her academic goals at Dartmouth. She has also received support and gained leadership experience from the Graduate Student Council on which she served. Her experiences in being involved with student groups and organizations have given her valuable skills in working with and leading others to achieve goals. As one of the many benefits she gained from being involved as a graduate student, she was awarded a grant in 2015 from the National Science Foundation to start a summer math research program in Seattle, citing her leadership experience as councilor on the national Council on Undergraduate Research important for her growing interest in community service.

Also in 2015, Henrich received the Henry L. Alder award from the Mathematical Association of America. This award is given to three beginning college or university faculty whose undergraduate teaching in mathematics has shown success and influence to students beyond the classroom. Her undergraduate teaching at Seattle University embraces a service-learning approach, which takes her students into local middle and elementary schools where her students have a chance to teach young students. Her teaching strategies have also benefitted the Seattle community through partnerships with organizations such as the East African Community Services whose mission is to educate East African refugees in K-12 levels and help them to succeed in school. 

Henrich teaches quantitative literacy, trigonometry, and Knot Theory, and is Associate Professor in the Mathematics Department at Seattle University. She served as Chair of the Mathematics Department and is on sabbatical for the 2017-2018 academic year.