Chris Stevens (mathematician) facts for kids
Terrie Christine Stevens is an American mathematician. She studies special groups in math called topological groups. She also loves learning about the history of math and how to teach math better (math education). She is also famous for helping start a program called Project NExT. This program helps new math teachers and professors when they are just starting their careers. She led Project NExT for many years, from 1994 to 2009.
Her Education and Early Career
Terrie Christine Stevens went to Smith College and graduated in 1970. Later, she earned her highest degree, a doctorate, in 1978 from Harvard University. Her special research paper, called a dissertation, was about "Weakened Topologies for Lie Groups."
After finishing her studies, she taught math at several universities. These included the University of Massachusetts Lowell, Mount Holyoke College, and Arkansas State University. She then joined Saint Louis University, where she taught math and computer science for 25 years.
She also spent time helping the government. From 1984 to 1985, she was a Congressional Science Fellow. This meant she helped a member of Congress, Theodore S. Weiss, with science-related topics. Later, from 1987 to 1989, she worked as a program officer at the National Science Foundation. This organization helps fund important research.
After retiring from Saint Louis University, she continued to work in the math community. She became an Associate Executive Director for the American Mathematical Society. This society is a big group for mathematicians. She also served on the AMS Council from 2011 to 2013.
Awards and Recognition
Terrie Christine Stevens has received many important awards for her work in mathematics.
In 1997, she received the Deborah and Franklin Haimo Award. This award is given to college or university teachers who are excellent at teaching mathematics.
In 2004, she won the Gung and Hu Award from the Mathematical Association of America. She received this award for her great service to mathematics, especially for her work with Project NExT.
Her old college, Smith College, honored her with the Smith College Medal in 2010.
She has also been recognized as a special member, called a fellow, of important science groups. She became a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2005. In 2012, she was one of the first people to become a fellow of the American Mathematical Society.
In 2015, she won the Louise Hay Award from the Association for Women in Mathematics. This award celebrates women who have made outstanding contributions to mathematics education.
