The value of small class sizes draws faculty like Dr. Peder Thompson to Niagara University. Dr. Thompson recently joined Niagara as an assistant professor of mathematics.
“I got my bachelor’s in a small class liberal arts college,” Dr. Thompson said. “I wanted to return to smaller classrooms, an environment where students can actually talk to the professors, and to be part of a smaller atmosphere. Niagara checked these boxes.”
Dr. Thompson has a passion for working directly with students and building valuable connections within learning communities. He knows math is not a subject that is always easy to understand, but smaller class sizes allow him to be more available for students; throughout class, after class, and during office hours. He’s beginning his year at Niagara teaching Calculus 1 this fall, and will move onto Linear Algebra and Intro to Statistics in the spring.
Dr. Thompson shared that a math degree can open many doors for a candidate starting their career. Having a math degree indicates that the person has a persevering mindset and is dedicated to whatever they embark on. A math degree can offer career opportunities in actuarial sciences, all branches of business, banking, and a strong foundation for any career path.
Dr. Thompson earned his Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln in 2016, and earned his undergraduate degree in Mathematics and English Literature from Augustana University in 2010. He spent three years teaching and doing research at Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim, Norway. He also worked on postdoctoral research at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas.
The Vincentian core values of teaching, research, and service are well demonstrated in the work Dr. Thompson has completed over the years. The balance of these three Vincentian values will grow the Niagara University campus and amplify student learning.