Another problem solver is in the world—Ashley Dean will be graduating from Missouri Southern with her Bachelor of Science in Mathematics this May, and she’s been named the Outstanding Graduate this semester.
A Carl Junction native, most of Dean’s family attended MSSU including her father and two older brothers who earned math degrees and her mother who minored in the subject. Both parents were in the Honors program as well.
“This influenced my decision to attend MSSU as I knew how great these departments were,” said Dean.
Dean has carried on the family tradition while also finding a way to forge her own path at MSSU—she has studied abroad in Ireland, participated in several independent study courses, joined student organizations and teams like Esports and Chess Club, and been a member of honor societies such as Kappa Mu Epsilon, where she serves as president. Dean is also the recipient of the William P. Elrod Memorial Scholarship, the Technology Student Association Alumni Scholarship, and the Martha McCormick Math and Physical Science Scholarship.
Dean is best known for her tutoring. She has been an on-campus tutor for the Student Success Center since spring 2021 and a private tutor for middle and high school students. Subjects range from trigonometry and calculus to physics and programming. With her talent and passion for math and teaching, it’s no surprise that Dean will pursue her PhD in Mathematics at the University of Arkansas this fall with the plan to become a math professor.
“Helping students make connections and have less antagonistic relationships with the subjects that I love is really fun,” said Dean. “I’m looking forward to learning even more math and obtaining the qualifications for my career.”
