HWS News
18 February 2025 Jump ’27 and Tran ’25 Explore Opportunities at Women in Math Conference
This week, students to offer colloquium, reflecting on their experience at the Nebraska Conference for Undergraduate Women in Mathematics.
This semester, Colleen Jump ’27 and Van Tran ’25 attended the Nebraska Conference for Undergraduate Women in Mathematics in Lincoln, Nebraska. On Thursday, Feb. 20, Jump and Tran will share insights from their experience at a colloquium at 4:45 p.m. in Napier 201.
The trip was made possible by the Tapper Fund and the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science.
Supported by the National Science Foundation and the National Security Agency, the three-day conference—hosted by the University of Nebraska—featured presentations, forums, networking events and receptions. Held from Jan. 31 to Feb. 2, the event provided opportunities for undergraduate students to present research and build a supportive community for women in mathematics.
“It was so powerful to be surrounded by so many women in mathematics at all stages,” reflects Jump, a mathematics and music major. “With around 300 women attending, it was incredible to experience that shared passion, and network with people I wouldn’t have met otherwise.”
Tran agreed with that sentiment, emphasizing the impact of the connections she made. “My favorite part of the trip was getting to meet with so many intelligent and successful women in math,” says Tran, a mathematics and economics major. “We connected with people who share our goals and interests, and the cool thing was each of us came from very different backgrounds.”
The conference also helped them explore the many career paths available to math majors.
“The answer to ‘What can you do with a math degree?’ is a whole lot,” shares Tran. “We learned so much about different career opportunities, graduate education, professional development, and even strategies for entering the industry.”
Jump found inspiration in the research opportunities available for undergraduates. “I discovered numerous ways to get involved in research, even in the summer,” says Jump. “It was exciting to talk to so many people about their projects and see how math intersects with so many fields.”
“Overall, I have learned that there are so many opportunities that students might be unaware of,” adds Tran. “We just need to go out there, be bold, make that first connection, and ask as many questions as possible.”
HWS has supported students in attending NCUWM since 2007. All HWS students are welcome to participate in this opportunity. View HWS' Non-Discrimination Statement and Policy. The NCUWM is open to all undergraduate students age 19 or older and their faculty advisors.
On campus, Jump is also a member of the William Smith bowling team and the Guiding Eyes for the Blind club. Tran studied abroad in Aix-en-Provence, France. She has also worked as a teaching assistant for calculus.
