MAA Mathfest 2025 Scenario #1 by Aris Winger https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk Jamyll, an African-American student, is a math major with a 3.6 GPA in his math courses. You are Jamyll’s advisor. The department head stops by your office to talk about Jamyll. They state that Jamyll has not been getting along with fellow majors, and has been pretty much to himself. He comes to math major events but doesn’t seem to be connecting with others. What would you do? en-us 2025-08-05 19:16:11 UTC 2025-08-07 16:47:06 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537943803 This suggests the problem is with Jamil instead of with how others may be treating him . I would point this out to the department head

]]> 2025-08-07 16:41:08 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537943803 https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537944005 Does Jamyll want to be social with the other majors? Is that a necessary component?

]]> 2025-08-07 16:41:31 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537944005 https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537944047 Help make connections between Jamyll and other math majors

]]> 2025-08-07 16:41:36 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537944047 Jamyll needs someone (me) to check in with him and give him some personal attention. https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537944058 2025-08-07 16:41:38 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537944058 https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537944062 This makes me think about how the events are structured and whether they encourage connection.

]]> 2025-08-07 16:41:39 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537944062 https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537944164 My first fear, based solely on GPA, is that he feels he needs to focus solely on school and talking to people isn’t a part of that in his mind, and also that he might be feeling a lot of pressure to perform well which doesn’t leave him time to build relationships.

]]> 2025-08-07 16:41:52 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537944164 Ask Jamyll how things are going and try to learn the reasons https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537944174 2025-08-07 16:41:54 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537944174 https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537944416 Try to start up a conversation with him and other colleagues at the event. Continue running the conversation until Jamill is actively engaged with others and gradually bow out.

]]> 2025-08-07 16:42:19 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537944416 https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537944462 An introverted person is likely to keep pretty much to themselves, it’s ok

]]> 2025-08-07 16:42:25 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537944462 Reflection https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537944499 Why is being asked? Is this just an observation? concern?

]]> 2025-08-07 16:42:30 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537944499 I would set up an appointment with Jamyll to talk about his perception of his place in the department and his plans post-graduation. https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537944565 2025-08-07 16:42:38 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537944565 Start with curiosity https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537944612 Ask Jamyll about his experiences at math events, his community in and outside of the department?

What does he like and dislike about being a math major?

]]> 2025-08-07 16:42:46 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537944612 Talk to Jamyll about how they have been able to (or not able to) connect with others in the department. How can I help you? Have you run into difficulties with interactions with others? Have you found anyone you have felt safe talking to? https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537944634 2025-08-07 16:42:49 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537944634 https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537944864 I would want to see first whether he is content with his current situation.

]]> 2025-08-07 16:43:10 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537944864 https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537944968 Does the department usually monitor students and how they get along with others? Has the department head checked in with other advisors whose students they are concerned about?

]]> 2025-08-07 16:43:21 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537944968 Source of information https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537945110 Department chair bought this up. This didn’t come from Jamyll.

]]> 2025-08-07 16:43:41 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537945110 Jamil may not want to be involved with the students if they are not welcoming https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537945274 2025-08-07 16:43:49 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537945274 Assure Jamyll that the concerns are not his fault https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537945298 2025-08-07 16:43:51 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537945298 https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537945306 It is extremely relevant what the math department (faculty and students) looks like. Are we in Iowa?

]]> 2025-08-07 16:43:52 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537945306 Be sure not to blame anyone. Is it that there is no one there that Jamyll identifies with in the department? Has there been an experience that have made them feel unsafe? Are they getting the lay of the land before putting themselves out there? Is there a way to make a safe way for the students to interact with each other. https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537945510 2025-08-07 16:44:04 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537945510 https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537945568 Should he like the other math majors? Are they jerks?

]]> 2025-08-07 16:44:12 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537945568 I would talk to him about how he’s doing, to see if he’s feeling like he shouldn’t prioritize peer relationships, in order to be successful academically. I would talk to him about how valuable peer relationships can be. Maybe you can go along on your own now, and maybe that’s what you want, but it’s healthy to have a support system in place! He can also mentor others. https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537945622 2025-08-07 16:44:18 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537945622 The dept. head has identified Jamyll as someone who warrants concern. So, regardless of Jamyll's circumstances or motivations, he had to recover from an unflattering label. https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537945752 2025-08-07 16:44:33 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537945752 https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537946315 How does the department head know that? What does “getting along well with others” mean?


]]> 2025-08-07 16:45:50 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537946315 Maybe speak with Jamal about non-school interests and happenings https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537946890 2025-08-07 16:47:05 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537946890 https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537947168 Ask Jamyll how he feels in the department, help facilitate his belonging in the department or wider community if the department is not safe for him

]]> 2025-08-07 16:47:44 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/lrw3phtuhdck2dbk/wish/3537947168