Now nine years into his work as an associate professor of mathematics at Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA) in Texas, Dr. Keith Hubbard (00) is grateful for the positive influences he had as a math major at PLNU that have helped shape his teaching career.
“The most rewarding part of my work is getting to invest in the lives of my students, and PLNU is where I first saw that done well,” he said. “I have modeled my teaching after the professors I had there, and that has resulted in some wonderful, symbiotic relationships over the years.”
Hubbard uncovered a fondness for teaching while earning his Ph.D. at the University of Notre Dame. Since then, his commitment to teaching has resulted in a flourishing career at SFA, earning him the 2014 Teaching Excellence Award from SFA’s College of Sciences and Mathematics. And his love for teaching extends well beyond his own classroom as he works to inspire the next generation of math and science educators. In addition to teaching, he currently serves as project director for Talented Teachers in Training for Texas. This program, funded by a National Science Foundation grant, aims to recruit and train high school science and math teachers by providing resources such as a job shadow program, prospective teacher workshops, and scholarship opportunities. He is also part of the National Council of Teachers in Mathematics, is on the Articulation and Placement Committee for the Mathematics Association of America, and is actively involved in research exploring how to most effectively appeal to and mentor science and math teachers.
Hubbard’s eagerness to engage students and strengthen the future of math education stems from his faith and the call of Colossians 3:23-24: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” It is this approach, he says, that sets him apart in his work and inspires him to love unconditionally, work hard, seek humility, and always look for opportunities to serve others.
The Viewpoint
PLNU's university publication, the Viewpoint, seeks to contribute relevant and vital stories that grapple with life's profound questions from a uniquely Christian perspective. Through features, profiles, and news updates, the Viewpoint highlights stories of university alumni, staff, faculty, and students who are pursuing who they are called to be.