Joseph Hibdon
Why did you choose Northwestern?
My undergraduate adviser Dr. Catherine Roberts received her PhD in Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics (ESAM) at Northwestern. Her excitement for applied mathematics convinced me that I could be a mathematician. During my visit, I met personally with Penny Warren who talked about the support Northwestern gave to minority graduate students. This conversation convinced me that I was welcome at Northwestern.
How would you describe your research and/or work to a non-academic audience? What was it then and/or what is it now?
At Northwestern, I studied mathematical models of combustion. I now use mathematical models in my teaching. Most of my work has shifted towards engagement, recruitment, and success of underrepresented minorities in STEM.
Tell us who or what inspired your research and/or work.
While finishing my PhD, I had the opportunity to work at Northeastern Illinois University, a four-year Hispanic Serving Institute (HSI) in Chicago. My job was to help students succeed in STEM and figure out what they could do with their degrees. As an associate professor in mathematics, my role is now to support students both inside and outside the classroom.
What are you most proud of in your career to date?
In my career, I am most proud of all the students that I have worked within the classroom, as well as the students I have done research with. My students are great and I am so proud of all their accomplishments.
Tell us about a current achievement or something you're working on that excites you.
Currently, I am working on multiple projects, but all of them are about increasing the diversity of representation in STEM. This includes multiple grants with Northwestern to support minority-serving institutions, a grant to give underrepresented minorities scholarships, committee work for the American Mathematical Society on equity, diversity, and inclusion, Indigenous Mathematicians website, and committee work for the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science.
What advice would you give your younger self or someone considering a similar path?
Continue to make connections with all those around you. For those people that have helped you get to where you are now or those you have helped, maintain communications, as you never know when you could help them or they could help you.