Throughout history, women have been stereotyped as weak in subject areas such as math and science. KWIM, Kennesaw Women in Mathematics, steps into the picture to change that myth and reveal that women can be strong-minded and knowledgeable in mathematics and science.
KWIM was established during the Spring 2011 semester. The students and faculty of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at KSU created KWIM to promote and support women in science and mathematics.
“I decided to join KWIM due to the abundant activities we provide and participate in during the year. As a Math major, I wanted to find different ways of connecting with other people who enjoy the subject and I found just that in KWIM,” said the Vice President of KWIM, sophomore Mathematics major McCade Smith.
The club advisers include Dr. Yuliya Babenko, Dr. Anda Gadidov and Dr. Mari Castle. The club advisers and officers spend countless hours planning interactive events and activities for KWIM.
KWIM cooked pies and made math-themed jewelry all day. “It was so much fun,” said club adviser, Dr. Babenko said.
“I am able to connect with other students and faculty who also believe that math is fun! For instance, at the Infinite Horizon Lectures we are able to meet professionals that use mathematics in their everyday life and discover all the cool things that people can do with mathematics,” KWIM President and sophomore Mathematics major, Ana Cienfuegos said.
In addition to Club President and VP, KWIM’s other officers include Treasurer and freshman Mathematics major Newsha Tavakoli, Public Relations and junior Mathematics major Chastity Hughes and Secretary Amanda Rollason. Rollason is a post-graduate student who earned a Master of Science in Applied Statistics last spring. “We have nearly doubled our network on Facebook to 155 members,” Rollason said. According to Rollason, the Facebook page members are worldwide and about 60% are female and 40% are male. “Not all of these people are KSU students, but they see what we’re doing and want to be involved.”
“I attended the first meeting and I felt that I belonged in this group,” KWIM club member and senior Mathematics major Maice Muallem said.“ It is a group of smart women and men who are willing to learn and teach without any returns. My favorite experience with KWIM is the relationship between students and professors. I always look forward to the next meeting.”
KWIM is open to all students, men and women, and faculty; to simply participate in a meeting, lecture, or event and you are in.
“One of the key things about the club is that it’s open to all students,” KWIM President Cienfuegos said. “Some of the students that participate in our meetings are majoring in Biology, English, Exercise & Health Science etc. I think it’s really cool that people from different backgrounds and careers come together to celebrate math! If you like math or think math is fun I would like to invite you to our meetings. Come out and celebrate math with the KSU community!”
For meeting times and more information about events, please visit the KWIM website and Facebook page for exact dates and locations.
