Women in Leadership Lunch with Monica Morales Hernandez

This space provides an opportunity for students to hear about their life experiences, careers and goals, as well as successes and challenges they’ve faced through their career, ultimately leading them in roles they are in today. Join us this month as Monica Morales-Hernandez, Assoiciate Teaching Professor of math and Computer Science presents her talk: From Differential Equations to Social Justice: A Latina’s Mathematical Path

Professor Morales-Hernandez’s journey in mathematics has been shaped as much by equations and models as by questions of belonging, access, and representation. As a Latina woman in a field still marked by inequities, she has had to navigate spaces where her presence was not always expected, yet where her contributions as a teacher, researcher, and mentor create new possibilities for others. Her research spans differential equations, statistics, and data science, with recent projects modeling public health and guiding students in connecting mathematics to issues of social justice. At the same time, She views the classroom as a place where students who might not ordinarily access research opportunities can experience the power of mathematical inquiry. In this talk, Professor Morales-Hernandez will reflect on the intersections of identity, social justice, and scholarship, and how they inform not only her career path but also her commitment to expanding who feels at home in mathematics.

Monica Morales-Hernandez was born and raised in Mexico. She moved to the United States in 2013 and has since lived in South Carolina, Georgia, and New York. She studied Applied Mathematics at Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes in Mexico and Mathematical Sciences at Clemson University in South Carolina. Her mathematical interests span various areas, including Computational Mathematics, Mathematics Education, and Data Science. Currently, she is pursuing a Data Science certification at MIT. As a Mexican woman of color, she is deeply committed to encouraging underrepresented groups to pursue careers in mathematics. In support of this mission, she has been actively involved in the creation and development of EvenQuads, a card game that highlights the accomplishments of female mathematicians.

Free lunch will be provided for the first 15 attendees. If you plan to attend and have any allergies or dietary restrictions, please email Robby Fahrenholtz (rfahrenholtz@adelphi.edu) with that information so an appropriate meal can be provided.