Susan LaFosse is no ordinary professor: that was apparent at the Athena Awards luncheon held in December, where she was recognized for her contribution to teaching the “weaker vessel” how to become stronger and more proficient in math. In a field where women are a scarcity, LaFosse is working to make today”™s young women the math and science leaders of tomorrow.
LaFosse sees math and science as paths for women to excel where the lack of teachers in both applications is at an all-time high and will continue to worsen as baby boomers retire. “Even if these young women are not going on to become teachers, there is not a business today where the knowledge of math and applied sciences won”™t come in handy,” said LaFosse. “It will not only help meet but exceed the traditional career goals. We are a technology-based society. Women who take math or science as their major and who master these skills can expect to earn higher salaries and be more in demand in many industries.”
For LaFosse, her own master”™s degree in math and 20 years of teaching have intertwined with her determination to make it a female-friendly subject. If you remember the talking Barbie doll that said, “Math class is tough,” then you know she has been up against some deeply ingrained problems. (That 1992 “Teen Talk Barbie” originally said 270 things; 269 after the math class line was yanked amid a storm of criticism directed at Mattel.)
As an assistant professor of mathematics at Dutchess County Community College, LaFosse co-created a program for girls in grades five through nine in the mid-1990s. “Math and Science Matter ”“ Especially for Young Women” has grown from a classroom of young women for its once-per-year seminar to nearly 400, practically filling an entire college building with girls from across the region. LaFosse eventually became the program”™s executive director.
As a result of its growth and success, she decided to take an early retirement in January 2007 to devote herself exclusively to the program, now in its 12th year. “When we first started, we had 35 girls enrolled ”“ the number of participants has since grown to 400 for 2008. Last year, we had 367 girls here on Math and Science Day and 40 more on the waiting list,” said LaFosse. “We hold it the first Saturday in March to tie in with Women”™s History Month. It”™s a natural fit.”
The program is held at Dutchess Community College”™s Washington Center for Art and Science, where LaFosse and her peers use three out of the four floors. Between 15 and 17 workshops go on for four solid hours. “We”™ve built up a following,” said LaFosse, “and we get ready for it by sending canvassing letters to principals at the region”™s high schools for recommendations.”
The program has become much more than the tiny workshop LaFosse envisioned more than a decade ago. “It grew beyond my expectations, but I”™m sincerely glad it has. Since I”™m now retired, I”™ve been working to raise funds to take it to other community colleges in the area and give them an overview. My goal is to expand it, not only in the number of times we offer it throughout the year, but in the number of schools where can be made be available,” said LaFosse. She”™s been asked to expand the program to include 10th and 11th graders, another milestone LaFosse hopes to bring to fruition.
“The program”™s goal is to encourage young women about math and science and encourage them to explore career opportunities in the field. When they come on to the college”™s campus, it”™s a sense of empowerment for them. They don”™t just think of the possibilities, they can experience them. They are working in an academic atmosphere, going to several workshops throughout the day. I think it gives them the encouragement to continue with higher education and in making math or science a major.”
When she”™s not preparing for the program, LaFosse likes to get in some cross-country skiing. “It hasn”™t happened this year,” said LaFosse, despite Mother Nature dumping a heaping helping of snow on the region. “I”™ve been hunkered down getting ready for our March program.”
Now that she”™s officially retired from Dutchess Community College, administrators in surrounding SUNY schools can expect a visit from the mathematics lover. “It”™s a great self-esteem builder for our young women, and a chance for them to learn about what”™s available for them in the career field. Math and science have always been daunting for women, almost as if society has expected us to be proficient at English and history and prepare to be good wives and mothers. You can be those things and more. Math and science skills apply to so many industries and the knowledge is so desperately needed, we hope our program grows and expands into neighboring counties. Our young women should be aware those skills are not only needed but wanted in business and in the teaching professions, and it”™s not a ”˜for men only”™ career path.”
If your daughter isn”™t sure what she”™d like to do when choosing a career, a day at Dutchess Community College”™s “Math and Science Matter” workshop may be just the thing to help her make a choice. Visit the Web site, www.sunydutchess.edu/msfair for more information.
“Unfortunately, said LaFosse, “we are already booked for this upcoming program, but there”™s always next year. Hopefully, 2009 will find more colleges involved. The girls love it and come away with a great feeling about themselves and their abilities. It”™s something we need to nurture if we”™re going to stay on par with today”™s world.”
