CWU Spanish-Language Math Program Receives National Diversity Award

A Central Washington University-sponsored math program has been recognized with the 2021 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award by INSIGHT into Diversity magazine, the oldest higher education diversity publication in the U.S.

The Círculo de Matemáticas en Español - also known as Kittitas Valley Spanish Language Math Circles, or KVMC - is hosted by Spanish-speaking CWU undergraduates, and invites elementary and middle school students to engage with math exercises in their native language, through non-traditional teaching methods. Students create art, play games, and discuss complex, real-world mathematical problems with their mentors, without the roadblocks a language gap can cause.

The award, presented to 79 winners around the country, recognizes programs and institutions that have demonstrated a commitment to inclusion and diversity within STEM fields by offering members of traditionally underrepresented communities the opportunity to explore the sciences.

"We know that many STEM programs are not always recognized for their success, dedication, and mentorship for underrepresented students," says Lenore Pearlstein, owner and publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. "We want to honor the schools and organizations that have created programs that inspire and encourage young people who may currently be in or are interested in a future career in STEM. We are proud to honor these programs as role models to other institutions of higher education and beyond."

The KVMC program, sponsored by the College of the Sciences and the Mathematics department, is one of the many ways CWU commits to diversity in all forms of education. Fostering the love of mathematics and other STEM subjects at an early age - in a way that's easy to understand and engage with - can be the beginning of a lifelong passion for discovery, according to program director and CWU Professor Brandy Wiegers.

"The goal is to learn problem-solving skills to gain ability to reason and logic through math problems," she said. "We engage in problem solving together to figure it out together. We really want to create a community where it's safe to say, 'I like mathematics.'"

This approach is among the many reasons CWU is consistently ranked among the best schools in the state for diversity. As a result of this continued focus on inclusion in education, the university has received INSIGHT into Diversity's Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award in six of the past seven years. The 2021 winners will be announced next month.

CWU will be featured in the September 2021 edition of INSIGHT into Diversity, alongside this year's other recipients of the Inspiring Programs in STEM Award.

Media contact: Rune Torgersen, Department of Public Affairs, rune.torgersen@cwu.edu.