T here was a dark moment in Monica Lichtenwalner’s college years when things seemed bleak.

In fall of her sophomore year, 2021, she got COVID-19 the first week of class and felt “very sick” for two weeks. A month and a half later, she still didn’t feel fully recovered and dropped half her classes, because she was falling behind.

She knew this would delay her senior capstone project and cause her to graduate later than she planned.

It was disheartening at the time. But Lichtenwalner soon realized it was a gift in disguise.

Prior to her illness, she didn’t know which area of math she wanted to work in or who to choose as a mentor.

The additional semester allowed Lichtenwalner to take “Abstract Algebra” before starting a capstone. She enjoyed the course so much she chose that professor, Dr. Marcela Chiorescu, as her capstone advisor.

That class also led to what Lichtenwalner calls her “biggest achievement” in college.

Chiorescu encouraged Lichtenwalner to apply for a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU), funded by the National Science Foundation.

Lichtenwalner got one last summer with Virginia Commonwealth University—and used what she learned in class to research ways for simplifying complex Lie algebras.

During the REU, her group was able to prove a few results relating to the sequence of Lie algebras associated with graphs. They presented their findings at a research symposium and have a paper in progress.

Before this experience, the idea of mathematical research seemed intimidating. But the REU gave Lichtenwalner a boost of confidence. She now plans to pursue a Ph.D. in math and a career in academia.

“I found this to be a valuable experience,” Lichtenwalner said. “It gave me more insight into what mathematical research is like.”

“I’ve changed a lot in the years I’ve been at Georgia College & State University,” she added. “I’ve grown more confident, my mental health has gotten significantly better, and I feel like I know what direction I want my life to go in after I graduate.”

Dr. Rachel Epstein also made a big impact on the Cumming, Georgia, resident. Epstein was the first math professor Lichtenwalner had in college and advised the Math Club, which Lichtenwalner served as vice president and president. Lichtenwalner was also a Supplemental Instructor (SI) in Epstein’s precalculus class this semester.

Epstein led a group of Math Club members to Math Jeopardy victory last semester at the 2023 Mathematical Association of America (MAA) Southeastern Section Conference in South Carolina.

It was the first time Georgia College won this grueling, three-day competition. And it was “the most fun” Lichtenwalner had in college. She was one of a four-member team competing against 15 schools in the Southeast.

 

Lichtenwalner credits the Georgia College Math Department for presenting opportunities like Math Jeopardy and the REU. Faculty also helped ensure her success.

“The mathematics department at Georgia College is full of really amazing and helpful professors who definitely had a lot of influence and impact on my goal to pursue a Ph.D.,” she said. “My experience as an employee for the Learning Center also helped me realize that—in addition to my enjoyment of learning math—I really enjoy helping other people understand and appreciate math.”