Meet A Niner: Evan Wantland
Evan Wantland, a teaching professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, was recently named director of Math Pathways. In this new role, he is responsible for making sure the people and resources are in place to redesign the University’s Math Pathways for every student as the focus of Charlotte’s Quality Enhancement Plan. Learn more about Wantland and the University’s QEP in this Q&A.
What is NINERways: The Path to Math Success and what is your role in the program?
The NINERways project will provide students with an intentionally designed set of courses – Math Pathways – that align with their academic, career and personal paths and goals. These courses (algebra, calculus, intro statistics, etc.) will fit within UNC Charlotte’s general education program and will also align with a student’s chosen major. Working with partner programs, we will take a close look at the material presented in these courses and how it is delivered. Our goal is to make the quantitative skills we teach available and meaningful to each student and to help provide a more efficient path toward graduation.
Why is it important for the campus community to be engaged in the QEP and accreditation process?
Reaccreditation and the associated QEP are the ways we show the world that we are doing what we say we do and that we aspire to improve. First and foremost, our QEP – NINERways – is literally focused on and measured by student success. We do this to make us better. It is important for all students, employees and alumni to know that with some oversight and guidance, we go through this regular process of self-reflection as an institution to learn about ourselves and to improve.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
It is incredibly rewarding and refreshing to work with people who are so passionate about student success. From undergraduate peer guides, graduate teaching assistants and instructors in the classroom to the administrators of the department and college, people care. And from the Center for Teaching and Learning and Office of Undergraduate Education, to the provost, chancellor and Board of Trustees, our leaders cares.
Where is your favorite place on campus?
The Valandingham Glen is a special place to me. It is beautiful, meaningful and so peaceful. It reminds me a lot of the woods around where I grew up in East Tennessee.
What do you like to do when you are not working/teaching?
I took up golf a couple of years ago in an attempt to keep up with my daughter. Yes, it can be frustrating, but I love problem solving, physics, etc. You have to find this crazy balance between clarity of focus and not overthinking. It has also been fun being a student again and hearing my instructors saying the same things that I say to my students like, “It’s okay to try and fail in order to get better.”
What is a fun fact about you that many people may not know?
I love radio. I was a DJ and did production work all through college and graduate school. In fact, the first course I ever taught was for new announcers on our college radio station (the next course I taught was calculus).
What is the best piece of advice you have received?
Arrive prepared.