BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University’s Dr. Vicky Klima has been recognized with the Southeastern Section 2022 Distinguished Teaching Award, conferred by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA). Klima, a professor of mathematical sciences and an Honors College academic mentor and faculty member, is the first App State faculty member to receive the award.

Established in 1991, the MAA Distinguished Teaching Awards honor university faculty whose teaching has been extraordinarily successful and whose effectiveness in teaching undergraduate mathematics is shown to have influence beyond their own classrooms. Klima received her award at MAA’s annual Southeastern Section Meeting, held at Berry College, in Mount Berry, Georgia, in March.

In his letter of support for the award, Honors College Dean Jefford Vahlbusch highlighted the clarity and cogency of Klima’s teaching, the creativity and broad utility of her courses and assignments, and the time and attention she gives to individual students, along with her investment in their success.

“Throughout Dr. Klima’s time with the Honors College, she has exemplified the college’s spirit and mission to create an enhanced intellectual experience for students that fosters independent and creative thinking. Her contributions as a professor, director and mentor have reflected her excellence,” Vahlbusch said.

Dr. Eric Marland, professor in and chair of App State’s Department of Mathematical Sciences, said, “Vicky is always pushing boundaries and trying out new ideas, sharing her ideas and experiences within the department, across the university and with the academic community. She is a great role model — not just for this commitment to excellence in teaching, but also for her exemplary service to the university and her long record of important contributions in scholarship.”

About Dr. Vicky Klima

Klima joined the Department of Mathematical Sciences faculty in 2003 and began serving as honors coordinator for the department in 2004. She was promoted to associate professor in July 2009 and full professor in July 2014. Klima was selected for the 2020 BRIDGES program for her leadership at App State, which includes chairing several university committees.

In 2019, Klima joined App State’s Honors College as the academic mentor for students majoring in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields, and as an Honors College faculty member, she regularly teaches interdisciplinary honors seminars, such as HON 1515: Visualizing a Just Society and HON 2515: Data for Social Justice.

She is interested in questions concerning mathematical structure and pattern, and her research interests include the representation theory of Lie algebras, symmetric spaces for Lie groups over finite fields, algebraic music theory and algebraic voting theory.

She earned her B.A. at Erskine College and her M.S. and Ph.D. at North Carolina State University. In 2017, she was recognized with the Appalachian State University School/College Excellence in Teaching Award.

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Department of Mathematical Sciences

The Department of Mathematical Sciences offers undergraduate degrees in actuarial science and mathematics, with concentrations in business, computation, life sciences, physical sciences, secondary teaching and statistics, plus a general, self-designed concentration. The department also offers the Master of Arts in mathematics, with concentrations in college teaching and secondary teaching.

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The Honors College

More than 500 students are enrolled in Appalachian State University's Honors College, which serves a diverse group of high-achieving, high-potential, highly motivated students from all majors. The Honors College helps students develop independent and creative thinking and high-level research skills; promotes interdisciplinary inquiry; and nurtures cultured and caring exchanges of ideas. The college’s enhanced academic experience prepares students for success in graduate or professional school and for leadership roles in their lives, communities and careers.

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About the Department of Mathematical Sciences

The Department of Mathematical Sciences offers undergraduate degrees in actuarial science and mathematics, with concentrations in business, computation, life sciences, physical sciences, secondary teaching and statistics, plus a general, self-designed concentration. The department also offers the Master of Arts in mathematics, with concentrations in college teaching and secondary teaching. Learn more at https://mathsci.appstate.edu.

About the College of Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at Appalachian State University is home to 17 academic departments, two centers and one residential college. These units span the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences. CAS aims to develop a distinctive identity built upon our university's strengths, traditions and locations. The college’s values lie not only in service to the university and local community, but through inspiring, training, educating and sustaining the development of its students as global citizens. More than 6,800 student majors are enrolled in the college. As the college is also largely responsible for implementing App State’s general education curriculum, it is heavily involved in the education of all students at the university, including those pursuing majors in other colleges. Learn more at https://cas.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, cost-effective education. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.