Kenneth M. Levasseur Professional Vita

Education

• B. A. 1971 Mathematics, St. Anselm College, Manchester, NH
• M. S. 1973 Mathematics, University of Rhode Island
• Ph. D. 1980 Mathematics, University of Rhode Island

Professional Employment

• 1994 to Present - Professor, University of Massachusetts Lowell
• 1985 to 1994 - Associate Professor, University of Lowell/University of Mass. Lowell
• 1980 to 1985 - Assistant Professor, University of Lowell
• 1977 to 1980 - Instructor, St. Anselm College, Manchester, NH

Other Positions

• 2013 to 2016 - Chair, Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell
• 2011 - 2015, Co-director, UTeach UMass Lowell
• September 2000 - June 2001: Senior Scientist, Education Developement Center, Newton, MA
• 1990 to 1999 - Chair, Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell
• August 1995 to September 1996 - Interim Dean - College of Arts & Sciences - University of Mass. Lowell
• May 1995 to July 1995 - Associate Dean - College of Arts & Sciences- University of Mass. Lowell
• Accredited by Wolfram Reseach as a Mathematica Trainer - Since 1998
• October 1996: Visiting Scholar, Wolfram Research, Champaign IL.
• October 1995: Visiting Scholar, Wolfram Research, Champaign IL.
• Fall, 1989: Visiting Lecturer, AT&T Bell Laboratories, North Andover, MA

Research Interests

Publications

• ""Pass the Buck" on a Complete Binary Tree", Mathematics Magazine, to appear.
• "Chip-Firing Graph Configurations," http://demonstrations.wolfram.com/ChipFiringGraphConfigurations/ Wolfram Demonstrations Project, 2018
• Applied Discrete Structures (with A. Doerr), an open-content discrete mathematics text, Version 3.5, 2018.
• "Groupoid generation by relations," (with Al Hibbard), Mathematica in Education and Research, Vol. 11, Number 1(2006) 30-49.
• "Mathematical Habits of Mind," (with Al Cuoco) Chapter 3 of Teaching Mathematics through Problem Solving, NCTM: Reston VA, 2003.
• "Classical Mathematics in the Age of CAS," (with Al Cuoco) Chapter 6 of Computer Algebra Systems in Secondary School Mathematics, NCTM: Reston VA, 2003.
• "A Microworld for Learning Abstract Algebra," (with Al Hibbard), Mathematica in Education and Research, 9(Summer-Fall 2000) 5-11.
• Exploring Abstract Algebra with Mathematica (with Al Hibbard, Central College, IA), Springer-Telos, 1999.
• "The Solution of Linear Equations with Integer Coefficients Using Modular Arithmetic and Cramer's Rule," Mathematica in Education & Research, 4(Winter, 1995) 14-18.
• "Getting Started with Mathematica," a chapter in UML College of Engineering Computer Handbook, 1995.
• "A Microworld for Elementary Group Theory," Mathematica in Education , 3(Fall, 1994) 5-10.
• College Algebra & Trigonometry, (with L. Andrusaitis and A. Doerr), McGraw-Hill, 1994.
• "A Human Name Collision," Mathematica in Education, 2(Fall 1992) p 7 - 8.
• "An Application of Fourier Transforms," The Mathematica Journal, 2(Summer 1992) p 60-61
• "Card Guessing," Arithmetic Teacher, April, 1991, p 2 ff..
• Applied Discrete Structures for Computer Science, second edition (with A. Doerr), SRA: Chicago, 1989.
• "How to Beat Your Kid at Their Own Game," Mathematics Magazine, 61(1988).301-305.

Conferences and Seminars

• Invited Panelist, Workshop on Open Source Mathematics Texts, Northeast Regional Meeting of the Mathematical Association of America, Gordon College, November 2015.
• "What a Difference 30 Years Makes! - Adventures in Mathematics Textbook Publishing," Joint Math Meetings, Baltimore, 2014.
• "Functions and Modeling at UMass Lowell" - 2013 UTeach Conference, Austin, TX.
• "How to Beat Your Kid at Their Own Game," Focus on Mathematics Seminar, January 9, 2006.
• "Using Interactive Labs to Explore Abstract Algebra Topics" - Minicourse at the Joint Math Meetings, San Diego CA, January 2002.
• "A Collaborative Approach to Professional Development Through Problem Solving," Special Session on Mathematics and Education Reform at the Joint Math Meetings, New Orleans, LA, January, 2001.
• "A Microworld for Exploring Abstract Algebra" - AMS Meeting - UMass Lowell, April 1, 2000
• "Interactive Labs in a Microworld for Abstract Algebra"  - NERCOMP Mathematica SIG - Amherst College, February 22, 2000
• "Exploring Abstract Algebra with Interactive Labs" - Minicourse at the Joint Math Meetings, Washington D. C., January, 2000.
• "Exploring Abstract Algebra with Interactive Labs" - Minicourse at the Joint Math Meetings, San Antonio, January 1999.
• "An On-line Course in Mathematica," UMass ITC Conference, April 1998
• "Exploring Abstract Algebra with Mathematica" - UMass Lowell Mathematics Colloquium, April 1998.
• "Problem Solving in Mathematics," a Discussion of Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking Instruction at UMass Lowell, March 1998.

Grants

• Co-PI, UMass President's Office Creative Economy Grant, "Lowell Tex: Embracing Lowell's Cultural, Historical, and Educational Assets to Create Pathways to STEM," 2015-16. ($34,500)
• Co-PI, UTeach replication grant from the Mass Dept. of Education, 2011-2014 (3 years/ $1,599,876)
• PI of the UML subcontract for Mathematical Experiences, a state of Massachusetts Title IIb grant to work with elementary school teachers in Lawrence on mathematics content, 2008-2011.
• Co-PI (with Tibor Beke): UMAss Instructional Technology Grant: Enhanced Learning and Advice through Online Assignments, 2008-9.
• Co-PI (with Joel Therrien): Teaching and Learning Seed Grant: Introducing WeBWork to UML, 2007-8.
• PI of the UML subcontract for Focus on Mathematics, an NSF Math & Science partnership, 2003-2009.

Other professional activities

• Team member - Mastering Adaptive and Scalable Systems (MASS) for STEM Education, July 2018-June 2019.
• Coach - UMass Lowell participation in the William Lowell Putnam Mathematics Competition, 2014-18.
• Participant - PRIME - a project with Lowell High School and Lawrence High School Math and English teachers to improve college readiness, 2010-13.
• Panelist - A Day of mathematics, a program for high school mathematics teachers sponsored by the Mass. Dept. of Education, November 15, 2007.
• Participant in Math Applications Shaping Tomorrow (MAST), an NSF project based at Northern Essex Community College, 2003-2004.
• Member of the editorial panel and chapter author for Teaching Mathematics through Problem Solving, published by NCTM in 2003.
• Participant in Building Regional Capacity, a joint UML/EDC/EMAMDH project designed to deliver courses to train professional development for leaders in mathematics.
• Led a discussion of the the consultant's report on the teaching of problem-solving at UML - March 1998
• Panelist - "Diversity in the Core Curriculum" - UML Council on Diversity and Pluralism conversations dinner - October 27, 1999
• Member of the Mathematical Association of America

Outreach

• Speaker at MassPIRG press event on open source textbooks, April 2015
• Member - Amherst NH "Goals 2000" committee - a committee to revamp the K-12 mathematics curriculum in my town, 2001-2003.
• Lowell High School Career Day - February, 1999
• Lawrence Schools Academic Olympics, Mathematics Competition- 1999, 2000
• Souhegan High School Technology Symposium - October, 1999

Committees

• Member - University Teaching and Learning Committee, 2011-2016
• Member - Council on Teaching, Learning & Research as Scholarship, 1994 - 2008.
• Member and co-chair - Task Force on Retention Issues,(a task force of the Council on Teaching, Learning & Research as Scholarship), 1996 - 2008
• Member - Task Force on Teaching with Technology, a task force of the Council on Teaching, Learning & Research as Scholarship, 2000 - 2008.

Awards

• Mathematical Sciences Teaching Excellence Award - 2002, 2008