Sonoma State math professor receives national award for student advocacy work

Sonoma State University math professor Brigitte Lahme received a national award in recognition of her student advocacy work.

Lahme, chair of the university’s Department of Mathematics and Statistics, was honored by Cengage Learning and the National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience and Students in Transition.

She received their 2018-19 outstanding first-year student advocate award for her work in student learning, development and success.

“It’s not easy, but math is powerful because it opens so many doors for students,” said Lahme, who has been an SSU professor since 2002.

She transformed first-year mathematics curriculum and was a faculty lead on a National Science Foundation STEM Talent Expansion grant, according to a news release.

She said mathematics is empowering for students and improves lives, and she has a passion for helping first-year students. She credits her department for its support.

“It’s a great collaborative environment with so much positive energy to help students think about math differently,” she said.

Lahme was nominated for the award by Lisa Vollendorf, provost and executive vice president of academic affairs at Sonoma State.

You can reach Staff Writer Susan Minichiello at 707-521-5216 or susan.minichiello@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @susanmini.