Meet some of our graduates
Josh Carrington
Semester/year you graduated
Spring 2019
Degree Earned
BS in Math from the College of Education
What you are doing now and how SIU prepared you for your current job
I am a math teacher at Trico High School in Campbell Hill, IL. The mathematics classes at SIU helped to give me a much more in-depth understanding of mathematics as a whole, which has helped me to better teach students of all levels. I was able to see new ways professors taught concepts which gave me new techniques to teach with. I reference back to what I learned in Math 150 (calc 1) and Math 303A (teaching HS math) almost every day.
Comments or thoughts on your experience here at SIU
The math department and instructors were always welcoming and helpful. I visited professors regularly during their office hours when I was struggling, and the instructors never made me feel unwanted or rushed. Instructors went out of their way to help me when I asked. I would be stupid if I didn't mention that through math classes at SIU, I made a lifelong friend (who will soon be my wife) which is the highlight of my SIU experience.
Aubrey McKenzie
Semester/Year you graduated
May 2019
Degree earned
B.S. Mathematics from COEHS
What you are doing now, how your schooling at SIU prepared you for that
I teach Algebra 1, Geometry, and Pre-Calculus at Marion High School. The math classes that I had at SIU helped me to discover mathematics through a new lens. I gained a much deeper understanding of mathematics as a whole and this has helped me grow as a both a mathematical thinker and teacher.
Comments or thoughts on your experience here at SIU
SIU is a welcoming campus and the mathematics department is no different. I spent many breaks in my professor's office hours and evenings at the math department's help sessions. I always felt welcomed and valued by my professors--no matter how many times I came in to ask for help. During my time at SIU, I made many meaningful relationships, both personally and professionally. In fact, I met my best friend and soon to be husband through my math classes. I am forever thankful to SIU for bringing us together
Sophie Westrich
Semester/Year you graduated
Spring 2015
Degree earned
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, minor in Computer Science
What you are doing now, how your schooling at SIU prepared you for that
Since graduating from SIU, I've been working at startup-turned-growth stage company, LockerDome, headquartered in Saint Louis, MO. At LockerDome, I've had the pleasure of being part of several different departments, including: Data & Analytics, Ad Operations, Product & Engineering, Sales, and Recruiting. My role right now is the "Director of Publisher Strategy", where I am tasked with making strategic, data-backed business decisions for LockerDome's Publisher Development sales team that help move the company forward. I work directly in our Data & Analytics department and coach our team of analysts in problem solving and decision making. Having such diverse experience has allowed me to widen my scope of understanding business operations.
Comments or thoughts on your experience here at SIU
I deeply value my time at SIU and take pride in calling Carbondale my home away from home. I always felt supported by various SIU faculty and staff that helped pave the way to where I am today, including professors Wesley Calvert and David Olive, former track coaches Connie Price- Smith and John Smith, and former housing directors Tamera McClain, Sara Holtzman (assistant), and Myles Pegues (assistant) to name a few. I don't regularly stay in touch with them, but they all inspired me to be passionate and work hard. During my time at SIU, I had to balance my studies, athletics, and work, and was only able to be successful doing so with the help of the adult mentors around me