In 2002 when Jonathan Mattingly '88 was deciding at which university he should become a professor, his desire to give back to NCSSM played a role in his decision. Now, he teaches mathematics at Duke University, and has served as a research mentor to NCSSM students for the past four years. 

Working with NCSSM Mathematics Professor, Dan Teague, Jonathan now offers research and real-world mathematical experience to NCSSM students. Both Dan and Jonathan recognized a disconnect in what students learned in their mathematics courses and what real-world mathematicians do; this research course attempts to bridge that gap. 

"How do you get students to go into mathematics? It's not by teaching them one more math course," Teague says. "It's by letting them experience the energy that comes by solving real-world problems mathematically." 

You can read more about the work that Dan and Jonathan are doing in this Duke Today article by Ashley Yeager.