Pat Long, SBU Mathematics Alumnus
"Currently, I am the Acting Executive Vice Chancellor at the University of Missouri—Kansas City. I have been at UMKC for over five years. On July 1, 2006, I will assume the Presidency of Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas.
I believe the degree in Mathematics has helped in two ways. First, with my background and educational training, I have been able to think in terms of systems and solutions. I can analyze a problem and then work with groups and within systems toward solutions that impact the greater organization. My degree has also helped to legitimatize my academic standing. I have taught math on the college level and that has provided a basis for interacting with faculty on a collegial level.
When I earned my degree, I thought I would use my degree to teach math at the high school level. However, my life and career journey never took me to the high school classroom. Instead, my degree and career opportunities have taken me along the college administration path. I believe students with degrees in mathematics have options in many different careers and there are a number of doors that can open as a result of the right preparation and hard work."
Pat Long
Dr. Long was featured in the Winter 2006 edition of SBulife. In that article she states "My math major helped me learn how to think more critically. It taught me how to take things apart and put them back together. Math involved discipline. It taught me to always look for solutions. As a more serious discipline, it also legitimized me in academic circles. It implied a certain substance. Even though I haven't taught in years, having that major added somtething to my leadership. I am still amazed where you can go with a math major. What I got from the SBU math department was a great spiritual education. They just loved me and took me in. ... They encouraged me."