SPU welcomes US Fulbright Scholar Professor Wolff

Sol Plaatje University (SPU) has the privilege of hosting Prof Sarah Wolff, a distinguished Fulbright Scholar and Associate Professor of Mathematics at Denison University, Ohio, USA. The fruitful partnership marks a pivotal step in fulfilling SPU’s strategic goal of deepening the academic programme and orientation to quality teaching and learning.

During her tenure at SPU in the first half of the 2023 academic year, Prof Wolff is teaching Discrete Mathematics to second-year Data Science students. Despite structural and assessment differences between SPU and her home institution, she is enjoying the challenge immensely. “Having a class of thirty students, I am able to incorporate interactive activities and lots of group work during class sessions,” she tells us.

Prof Wolff’s ties to South Africa date back to 2014 when she worked for three months at the University of Pretoria under an NSF GROW with USAID Fellowship. During this period, she connected with the Maths and Science Leadership Academy (MSLA), establishing a partnership that has continued intermittently since then.

“I always dreamed of returning to South Africa so after earning tenure I applied for a US Fulbright Scholar grant to align with my post-tenure sabbatical. I am so grateful to the Fulbright programme and my home institution for their support and to Sol Plaatje University for being a willing partner in this journey!”

Holding a BA from Colorado College and a Masters and PhD from Dartmouth College, Prof Wolff brings extensive teaching experience across the undergraduate mathematics curriculum, specialising in multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and abstract algebra. Her research interests lie in applied representation theory, with a focus on the generalisation of the discrete Fourier transform to groups and semisimple algebras.

“I tell my students all the time that the number one quality of a good mathematician is that they work hard — you don’t have to be a genius, you just must put in the work. The challenge of mathematics is exactly what gives it value. Mathematics gives an arena for students to practice confronting a difficult and, for many, uncomfortable and frightening subject. They will have their solutions questioned and often rejected, but by creating a safe environment for productive failure, a math class can encourage persistence and collaboration through the challenge.”

The Head of the Department of Mathematical Sciences at the School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Dr Stephen Sikwila, praised Prof Wolff: “Being the first visiting professor in our department’s history, her presence has undoubtedly enriched our academic environment and having a Fulbright Scholar highlights the university’s commitment to fostering global academic collaborations.”  

Aside from her academic pursuits, Prof Wolff has been making the most of her time in South Africa by engaging with the local running community. She has participated in numerous marathons across the country, enjoying the hospitality and camaraderie of the Kimberley running community.

We will bid farewell to Prof Wolff in July, and we honour her significant contributions to SPU and celebrate the momentous strides we’ve made towards global academic collaborations and the enhancement of our academic programmes. We look forward to more such partnerships in the future.

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