Ron Buckmire

BIOGRAPHY

Ron Buckmire is Professor of Mathematics at Occidental College (Oxy) in Los Angeles, California. Ron holds mathematics degrees (Ph.D., M.Sc. and B.Sc.) from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He has been on the Oxy faculty since 1994, serving as chair of the mathematics department twice and achieving the rank of Full Professor in 2014 after beginning his academic career at Oxy as a Minority Postdoctoral Scholar-in-Residence. He was Associate Dean for Curricular Affairs and Director of the Core Program for four years (2018-2022) in charge of all aspects of the curriculum and reporting directly to Oxy’s chief academic officer, Wendy Sternberg. As Associate Dean, his primary responsibility was the direction of the general education program and he had several other academic initiatives reporting to him. He was an employee of the United States National Science Foundation (NSF) from 2011-2013 and 2016-2018. At NSF, he was a Lead Program Director in the Division of Undergraduate Education where he headed the S-STEM program and was responsible for the undergraduate mathematics education award portfolio. In 2023, he was recognized as a Fellow of the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM), the largest membership organization for applied mathematicians in the world. He is the fourth member from the African diaspora, first member from a small liberal arts college, and one of very few members of the LGBT community to receive this prestigious recognition.

He has maintained a productive research career in applied mathematics for nearly 30 years. His primary research interests are in numerical analysis, scholarship of teaching and learning, and mathematical modeling. Most recently he has started working in the area of data science, focussing on its intersections with social justice and education. He is a passionate advocate for broadening the participation of historically excluded groups (especially LGBTQ+ individuals and racial/ethnic minorities) in mathematics and other STEM disciplines. He serves the broader mathematics community in several capacities, such as Vice-President for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) at SIAM, Chair of the AMS Committee on EDI, Chair of MSRI’s HRAC, member of BIRS’ EDI board and ICERM’s board of trustees. He is a co-founder and board member of Spectra, the association for LGBTQ+ mathematicians and their allies. He has well over 35 years of experience as an LGBT rights activist, serving on the boards of organizations such as Equality California, the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (now OutRight International) and the Center for Health Justice.

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS
He is the co-editor of the book Improving Applied Mathematics Education (Springer Nature, 2021) and has published  over two dozen peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and reviews in an eclectic collection of outlets such as Data, Notices of the American Mathematical Society, Numerical Methods for Partial Differential Equations, IMA Journal of Management Mathematics, Works and Days, Journal of Humanistic Mathematics, and the Albany Law Review. From 2011 to 2013 and from 2016 to 2018 he served as a Program Director in the National Science Foundation (NSF)'s Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE) in the Washington, DC area. After his first stint at NSF, he organized the writing and submission of a successful NSF S-STEM proposal as Principal Investigator (PI), DUE-1457943, which brought in over $600,000 primarily for scholarships for academically talented but financially needy students to pursue degrees in science and mathematics at Occidental College from 2015-2020. In 2020, he was co-PI on another successful S-STEM proposal, DUE-2030763, which awarded $1,000,000 to Occidental College to investigate and implement interventions to support financially needy, academically talented students majoring in STEM disciplines. In 2021, he published his first book, Improving Applied Mathematics Education (Springer Nature) as co-editor. In 2022, the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (MSRI) published his second book, Math & Racial Justice: the role of Mathematics in Today’s Movement for Racial Justice, the compendium of the virtual 2021 Mathematics and Racial Justice workshop co-organized by Ron and four other African-American mathematicians at MSRI.

SERVICE
Buckmire currently serves (or has served) on multiple committees to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in mathematics at national organizations such as the Committee on Minority Participation in Mathematics at the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) and the Diversity Advisory Committee of the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM). He is frequently called upon to serve as a subject matter expert and reviewer for numerous agencies and grant programs (U.S. Department of Education, California Board of Education, National Science Foundation). He also served on the SIAM Education Committee for nearly a decade. He was the co-chair for the SIAM Applied Mathematics Education conference scheduled for July 30-August 1, 2020 in Philadelphia, PA (co-located with Mathfest 2020) which was cancelled due to COVID-19. He will serve as SIAM's first Vice-President for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and chair of the SIAM Membership Committee until December 31, 2021. He is co-chair of the Broadening Participation Advisory Committee of the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (MSRI), the American Mathematical Society (AMS) Committee on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (CoEDI) and on the board of directors of Spectra, an organization for LGBTQ mathematicians, and a member of the board of trustees of the Institute for Computational and Experimental Research in Mathematics (ICERM) and (ex officio) for MSRI.

TEACHING
Buckmire's teaching interests lie primarily in teaching mathematics context where application is important. He has taught courses in calculus, differential equations, complex analysis, mathematical modeling, applied mathematics and the history of mathematics. He is interested in the implementation and study of innovative pedagogical techniques to improve student learning outcomes, especially in undergraduate mathematics courses. The scholarship of teaching and learning is an active research interest. He is a strong supporter of the ethos of a liberal arts education and has taught first-year seminars multiples times, with titles such as "Race, Gender and Justice" (1997, 1999, 2002), "LGBT Rights in the Era of Obama and Google" (2009, 2010) and "#CSP6: LGBT Rights in the Internet Era" (2013).

ADMINISTRATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
As an administrator, some of Buckmire's organizing principles are "leave the campground cleaner than you found it" and "don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good." He believes strongly in fostering and supporting a culture of continuous improvement wherever he works. In summer 2018, Buckmire began his role as Associate Dean for Curricular Affairs (ADCA) and Director of the Core Program at Occidental College. In his capacity as ADCA, he was responsible for multiple curricular and co-curricular projects at the College. For example, the Writing Program, the Center for Community Based Learning, Oxy Arts, the Institute for the Study of Los Angeles, the Urban and Environmental Policy Institute, the Community Literacy Center, the Undergraduate Research Center and the Core Program all fall under his purview. As Core Director, he is responsible for the Core Program, which is composed of the general education requirements at the center of an Occidental College liberal arts education. Additionally, the Core Program includes the Cultural Studies Program, which consists of 2 required first-year seminars that are limited to 16 students, taken by entering first-year students and address issues of identity, culture and difference, include significant expectations of writing and introduce students to college-level intellectual engagement.

In the 2020-2021 academic year Buckmire helped manage a process that led to the first substantive changes to the Core Program in over a decade. The CSP was renamed the First-Year Seminar (FYS) program and for the first-time ever First-Stage Writing Requirement was radically overhauled. Working with the Writing Programs Director and Core Program staff, the Timed-Writing Exercise was eliminated and a new system where students submit an electronic portfolio of essays written in their first-year seminars that demonstrate what they believe is evidence that they have met the published criteria and rubric for completing the requirement. Portfolios are assessed in a double-blind fashion by a select group of faculty who go through a training to apply the rubric on portfolios in a normative fashion. Results with the new system have not greatly varied from the previous assessment but students have much more agency in the new portfolio-based system.

From summer 2016 to summer 2018 Buckmire served as a federal employee as a (permanent) program officer at NSF. While there he was the Lead Program Officer for the NSF Scholarships, in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (NSF S-STEM) program. S-STEM is a federal program to support the academic success of low-income, highly qualified students who are majoring in a STEM discipline at institutions of higher education in the United States. During his stewardship, over $250 million was awarded to colleges and universities to run projects to support low-income, academically talented STEM majors attain associates, baccalaureate and graduate degrees. In addition to S-STEM, Buckmire worked on the Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE) program, making funding decisions to award approximately $5-10 million in grants per year  to improve undergraduate mathematics education around the country.

From 2005 to 2010 and again from 2015-2016 he served as the chair of the mathematics department at Occidental College. During that time he was responsible for the revision of the mathematics minor, making it one of the most popular minors on campus.

In March 2024, Buckmire was named the next Dean of the School of Computer Science and Mathematics at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York, starting August 1, 2024.

AWARDS

1. 2023: 2023 Class of Fellows of the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM)
2. 2019: Inaugural Class of Fellows of the American College of Academic Deans (ACAD)
3. 2018: Selected by Mathematically, Gifted and Black (February 3, 2018)
4. 2012: National Science Foundation Director’s Award for Collaborative Integration
5. 2011: National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals (NOGLSTP) LGBT Educator of the Year

BOOKS

1. R. Buckmire and J. Libertini (editors). "Improving Applied Mathematics Education." Springer Nature: Switzerland, 2021, xiv+ 85pp.
2. O. Ortega, R. Wilson, C. Ashley, R. Buckmire , D. Cooper and M. Jackson (organizers). "Math & Racial Justice: the role of Mathematics in Today’s Movement for Racial Justice." Mathematical Sciences Research Institute, 2022, 114pp.

PUBLICATIONS (RESEARCH)

1. T. Basu, R. Buckmire, Z. Coovadia*, M. Diaz*, D.A. Iniguez*, and A. Scott*. (2024). "Using Unity Approximations to Construct Nonstandard Finite Difference Schemes for Bernoulli Differential Equations," in “Mathematical and Computational Modeling of Phenomena Arising in Population Biology and Nonlinear Oscillations,” Ed: Abba Gumel, Contemporary Mathematics, Volume 793, pp. 93-111.
2. T. Basu, R. Buckmire , and O. Tweneboah. (2022). "An Application of Machine Learning to College Admissions: The Summer Melt Problem." Journal of Machine Learning for Modeling and Computing, Vol. 3, Issue 4, pp. 93–117.
3. T. Basu and R. Buckmire. (2020). "Using Approximations of Unity in the Construction of Positivity-Preserving NSFD Schemes." International Journal on Difference Equations, Volume 15, Number 1, 2020, pp. 77-89.
4. K. Basu, T. Basu, R. Buckmire and N. Lal. (June 2019). "Predictive Models of Student College Commitment Decisions Using Machine Learning." Data, Volume 4, Issue 2, (Article 65).
5. D.A. Edwards, R. Buckmire and J. Ortega-Gingrich*. (2014). "A Mathematical Model of Cinematic Box-Office Dynamics with Geographic Effects." IMA Journal of Management Mathematics, Volume 25, Issue 2, 2014, pp. 233-257.
6. Holly Zullo, Kelly Cline, Mark Parker, Ron Buckmir e, John George, Katharine Gurski, Jacob Juul Larsen, Blake Mellor, Jack Oberweiser, Dennis Peterson, John Scharf, Richard Spindler, Ann Stewart, and Christopher Storm. "Student Surveys: What Do They Think?" In Teaching Mathematics with Classroom Voting: With and Without Clickers, edited by Kelly Cline and Holly Zullo. Mathematical Association of America, 2011. pp. 29-37.
7. R. Buckmire , K. McMurtry* and R.E. Mickens. (May 2009). "Numerical Studies of a Nonlinear Heat Equation with Square Root Dissipative Term." Numerical Methods for Partial Differential Equations, Vol. 25, No. 3, pp. 598-609.
8. R. Buckmire . (2005). "Applications of Mickens Finite Differences to Several Related Boundary Value Problems." Advances in the Applications of Nonstandard Finite Difference Schemes. Ed. R.E. Mickens. World Scientific Publishing: Singapore. pp. 47-87.
9. R. Buckmire.  (May 2004). “Application of a Mickens Finite-Difference Scheme to the Cylindrical Bratu-Gelfand Problem.” Numerical Methods for Partial Differential Equations, Vol. 20, No. 3, pp. 327-337.
10. R. Buckmire . "Investigations of Nonstandard, ‘Mickens-type,' Finite-Difference Schemes for Singular Boundary Value Problems in Cylindrical or Spherical Coordinates." Numerical Methods for Partial Differential Equations, Vol. 19, No. 3, (May 2003), pp. 380-398.
11. D.A. Edwards and R. Buckmire. (2001). "A Differential Equation Model of North American Cinematic Box-office Dynamics." IMA Journal of Management Mathematics, Volume 12, Issue 1, pp. 41-74.
12. R. Buckmire . (1996). "A New Finite-difference Scheme for Singular Differential Equations in Cylindrical or Spherical Coordinates." Mathematics Is For Solving Problems: A Volume in Honor of Julian Cole. Eds. L. Pamela Cook, Victor Roytburd and Marshall Tulin. Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics: Philadelphia. pp. 3-9.

* indicates undergraduate student co-author.

PUBLICATIONS (OTHER)

1. R. Buckmire, B.Beeton, R. Bryant, F.Q. Gouvêa, A.V. Phillips, D. Sullivan, and M. Wolf.  "Michael Spivak: A Memorial."  Notices of the American Mathematical Society, Vol. 71, No. 6, June/July 2024, pp. 786-795. Available at: https://www.ams.org/journals/notices/202406/noti2956/noti2956.html
2. C. Sawyer and R. Buckmire.  "The Automathography: A Humanistic Autobiographical Writing Assignment for Mathematics Courses."   Journal of Humanistic Mathematics, Volume 14 Issue 1 (January 2024), pages 54-73. Available at: https://scholarship.claremont.edu/jhm/vol14/iss1/5
3. R. Buckmire, C. Diaz Eaton, J.E. Hibdon Jr., K.M. Kinnaird, D. Lewis, J. Libertini, O. Ortega, R. Roca, and A.R. Vindas Meléndez. "On definitions of 'mathematician.'" Journal of Humanistic Mathematics, Volume 13 Issue 2 (July 2023), pages 8-38. Doi://10.5642/jhummath.ZRUZ1463. Available at: https://scholarship.claremont.edu/jhm/vol13/iss2/4
4. R. Buckmire , A. Folsom, C. Goff, A. Hoover, J. Nakao, and K.A. Sather-Wagstaff. "On Best Practices for the Recruitment, Retention, and Flourishing of LGBTQ+ Mathematicians." Notices of the American Mathematical Society, Vol. 70, No. 6, June/July 2023, pp. 979-985.
5. R. Buckmire and A. Roca. "Queer Science Blogs: Public communication before the age of social media." In Queering Science Communication: Representation, Theory and Practice (Eds: Lindy A. Orthia and Tara Roberson). Bristol University Press, 2023.
6. C. Goff and R. Buckmire.  "Spectra: Out to Support LGBTQ+ Mathematicians." MAA Focus, June/July 2022
7. P. Seshaiyer and R. Buckmire ."Justice,Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Applied Mathematics for All." SIAM News, December 2021.
8. A. Bonato, J. Bruce, R. Buckmire . "Spaces for All:The Rise of LGBTQ+ Mathematics Conferences." Notices of the American Mathematical Society, Vol. 68, No. 6, June/July 2021, pp. 998-1003.
9. R. Buckmire , L. Gasparov, M. Hunter, P. Schroyer, M. Soto. "Crisis Management for Different Institutional Environments." The ACAD Leader: Newsletter of the American Conference of Academic Deans, April 2021.
10. R. Buckmire . "Who Does The Math? On the Diversity and Demographics of the Mathematics Community in the United States." In Improving Applied Mathematics Education (eds. Ron Buckmire and Jessica M. Libertini). Proceedings of the 2019 ICIAM Conference in Valencia, Spain. (Springer Nature, 2021), pp 1-12.
11. R. Bryant, R. Buckmire , L. Khadjavi and D. Lind. "The Origins of Spectra, an Organization for LGBT Mathematicians.” Notices of the American Mathematical Society, Vol. 66, No. 6, June/July 2019, pp. 875-882.
12. R. Buckmire. "Recognizing Black and Latinx Mathematical Excellence: The Blackwell-Tapia Prize." Notices of the American Mathematical Society, Vol. 66, No. 2, February 2019, pp. 218-220.
13. R. Buckmire . "A Survey of Significant Developments in Undergraduate Mathematics Education over the Past Decade." Notices of the American Mathematical Society, Vol. 66, No. 1, January 2019, pp. 46-51.
14. R. Buckmire , TJ Murphy, John Haddock, and Sandra Richardson. "The National Science Foundation Has Resources to Help You Improve the Teaching and Learning of Undergraduate Mathematics." AMS Blog on Teaching and Learning Mathematics, November 14, 2016.
15. R. Buckmire , P. Gabrielle Foreman and Donna Maeda. "’Race, Gender and Justice’: New Technologies and Student Empowerment." Works and Days, Vol. 16, No. 1/2, Spring/Fall 1998, pp. 319-332.
16. R. Buckmire , P. Gabrielle Foreman and Donna Maeda. "Race, Gender and Justice: Teaching with Technology at Occidental College." Newsletter of the American Studies Association, Vol. 21, No.3, September 1998.
17. R. Buckmire , P. Gabrielle Foreman, and Donna Maeda. "Teaching about Race, Gender and Justice: Bridging the Digital Divide." Diversity Digest, a publication of the Association of American Colleges and Universities. Vol. 3, No. 1, Fall 1998.
18. R. Buckmire. "You can't get there from here: the impact of California's Proposition 209 on same-sex marriage." Albany Law Review, Vol. 60, No. 5, 1997. pp. 1673-1676.

PUBLICATIONS (EXPOSITORY)

1. R. Buckmire.  [Book Review] "Shape: The Hidden Geometry of Information, Biology, Strategy, Democracy, and Everything Else" by Jordan S. Ellenberg. April 22, 2022. American Mathematical Monthly.
2. R. Buckmire . [Book Review] "Poems that Solve Problems: The History and Science of Algorithms" by Chris Bleakley.  June 26, 2021. MAA Reviews.
3. R. Buckmire . [Book Review] "Infinite Powers: How Calculus Reveals the Secrets of the Universe" by Steven Strogatz.  January 13, 2021. MAA Reviews.
4. R. Buckmire . [Book Review] "Beyond Banneker: Black Mathematicians and the Paths to Excellence" by Erica N. Walker. November 4, 2016. MAA Reviews.

PUBLICATIONS (IN PROGRESS)

1. R. Buckmire, B. Beeton, R. Bryant, F.Q. Gouvea, A. Phillips, D. Sullivan, and M. Wolf. "Michael Spivak: A Memorial." In Press at Notices of the American Mathematical Society.
2. R. Buckmire , J.E. Hibdon, Jr., D. Lewis, O. Ortega, J.L. Pabon, R. Roca, A.R. Vindas Melendez. "The Mathematics of Mathematics (#MetaMath): Using Mathematics and Data Science to Analyze the Mathematical Sciences Community and Enhance Social Justice." Under Review at La Matematica.
3. R. Buckmire , C. Diaz Eaton, J.E. Hibdon, Jr., J. Kauba,  D. Lewis, O. Ortega, J.L. Pabon, R. Roca, A. Vindas Melendez, and S. Zhang. “Quantifying Inequity in PhD-granting Mathematical Sciences Departments in the United States.” Under Review at American Mathematics Monthly.
4. M. Breit-Goodwin, R. Buckmire and J. Dewar. "Who in the Mathematics Community Does SoTL, and Why?" Under Review at Notices of the American Mathematical Society.

* indicates undergraduate student co-author.

Updated June 21, 2024