Graduate Student Post: Anthony Dickson
PRIME is pleased to introduce Anthony Dickson, a first-year mathematics education doctoral student. Anthony hails from northeast Ohio, the Youngstown area. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Film Analysis, an individualized major he created himself with the help of his English advisor, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Youngstown State University, YSU. Through their 4+1 program, he then earned his Master of Science degree in Mathematics also at YSU, with a focus on algebra. He commented, “I grew up within the same 20-minute radius for the first 22 years of my life, so I am excited to finally be somewhere different.” Sorry about that MSU domination over Youngstown State University during the football game last Saturday, Anthony! (Are we, though?! )
Here are a few fun facts about Anthony: He loves the arts— movies, TV shows, video
games, music, comics, etc. He noted, “few things in life make me happier than experiencing
a great piece of media. If anyone ever wants to know the details of my favorites of
these, I am always up for talking about it, but I’ll save you all the boring details.”
He’s also up for walks, playing cards and board games, and dance parties (the kind
that are usually held after weddings). Anthony also said, “I am very much a dog person
– they mean everything to me.” One last fun fact from Anthony: “I wrote my undergraduate
honors thesis on “Batman: Mask of the Phantasm,” a phan-tastic animated film! My
paper’s not perfect, but I am immensely proud that I was able to write such a cool
piece at all. I told you, I love the arts!”
College conferences and research experiences have accounted for a couple of the 10 or so states Anthony has visited so far. This past summer he went on a road trip with some of his friends from his undergraduate years and commented that it was so much fun!
Anthony was an officer for YSU’s local chapter of Pi Mu Epsilon, a math organization
that is dedicated to the promotion of mathematics and recognition of students who
successfully pursue mathematical understanding. Anthony noted that PME helps students
socialize and get funding for conferences. In addition, they would hold student lectures,
interview faculty members, and help with the local MathFest – an event held every
year that allowed high school students to learn some interesting mathematics on campus.
He also helped with YSU’s College Credit Plus program, which he described is essentially
a way for students to earn college credits in high school. He added, “I participated
in this program as a high school student and loved the opportunities it gave me, so
I wanted to continue working with them. This is part of the reason why I am pursuing
an education-related PhD!”
Regarding his math ed research interests, Anthony remarked, “I am interested in studying students’ abilities to learn and understand algebraic and proof-based concepts, as well as furthering my knowledge on educational literature. I also want to research teaching methods through readings and actively teaching students. However, because I have done very little study of education as its own field and am very open-minded, I am open to studying anything right now!”
After graduating from PRIME, Anthony’s immediate thought is “to be a university professor, as I really felt at home throughout my time at college. It’s not perfect, but it was fun. However, I also wouldn’t mind working more with high schools or education departments if possible.” He summed up his musings on his future with, “The world is my oyster!”
Indeed, it is. Welcome to MSU, Anthony!
