Montana Tech Professor Receives 2022 Dean Preble Memorial Award

Montana Technological University Mathematical Sciences professor and department head Dr. Hilary Smith Risser was recently honored by the Montana Council of Teachers of Mathematics (MCTM) for her leadership in mathematics. Dr. Smith Risser received the 2022 Dean Preble Memorial Award at the MCTM annual meeting.

"I am so honored to have been selected by MCTM for the Dean Preble Memorial Award," noted Smith Risser. "The members of MCTM dedicate their passion, energy, and mathematical knowledge to educating the students of Montana. As a parent, I am grateful that MCTM members have taught my children throughout their school careers. As a professional, I am thankful for the opportunities MCTM has given me to learn from some extremely talented teachers."

The memorial award is given in memory of Dean Preble, who died of cancer in 1998. Preble was recognized for his unfailing support for mathematics education in Montana. His dedication to the mathematics teaching profession, his love of his students, his involvement in state and national mathematics organizations, and his devotion to improving mathematics education for all were unparalleled.

Dr. Hilary Smith Risser is a full Professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences. Dr. Smith Risser received her Ph.D. in Computational and Applied Mathematics from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Smith Risser taught at Plano West Senior High School and Texas Woman's University before coming to Montana Tech in 2008. In the past fifteen years, she has served as a board member and President of the Montana Council of Teachers of Mathematics and has served on numerous state committees related to math and science education. Dr. Smith Risser works with MCTM to host a regional math competition for 7-12 graders every spring and a conference for K-16 math teachers every summer. Along with Dr. Laurie Battle and Dr. Erika Asano, she has hosted summer enrichment camps in mathematics for middle school girls.

Dr. Smith Risser's research focuses on using technology in teaching mathematics and technology in professional development for teachers. She has published articles on the use of technology in the teaching of mathematics, a book chapter and an article on mentoring, and articles on online professional communities of teachers. Dr. Smith Risser has collaborated with more than twenty faculty members worldwide on research projects in education. In the past fifteen years, Dr. Smith Risser has assisted and supervised undergraduate/graduate research projects on various math and science education topics. She regularly presents with students at regional and national conferences. For the past eight years, Dr. Smith Risser has served as the Department of Mathematical Sciences chair at Montana Tech.

"Dr. Risser is passionate about teaching mathematics to students at all levels," explained Michele Hardy, dean of the Montana Tech College of Letters, Sciences, & Professional Studies. "Her selection for the Montana Council of Teachers of Mathematics most prestigious award illustrates that her unwavering commitment to best practices in math education over the years is recognized by her peers and colleagues across the state of Montana. We are fortunate to have Dr. Risser leading the Mathematical Sciences department at Montana Tech and congratulate her on receiving this honor." 

Matt Roscoe, Associate Professor of Mathematics at the University of Montana and current President of MCTM, added, "The award is significant and puts her on a list of some of Montana's greatest mathematics educators."