Department of Curriculum and Instruction

ASU Box 32047

Boone, NC 28608-2047
(828) 262-2224
FAX: (828) 262-2686

DATE:

June 22, 2015

TO:

Susan Colby, Chair

Department of Curriculum &
Instruction
Diana L. Moss, Assistant Professor
Department of Curriculum & Instruction

FROM:

Dear Susan,
I am writing to express my appreciation for the College of Educations and Department of
Curriculum and Instructions support that provided me with the opportunity to attend the
fellowship in the Service, Teaching, and Research (STaR) program this June in Park City, Utah.
The STaR program is an induction program for early career mathematics educators working at
institutions of higher education. It is designed to assist new professors with how to navigate and
be successful in their newly acquired jobs as professors.
I had an amazing experience and learned a great deal at the STaR program. I met other
new professors and established working groups for research and teaching that I expect will last
for many years. Further, I attended a variety of presentations and discussions ranging from how
to write grants to sharing ideas about teaching elementary mathematics methods to learning
about service opportunities available to mathematics educators. In this stage of my career, the
most helpful part of the STaR program was the mentoring aspect. I attended small group
sessions led by each of the STaR mentors, successful professors of mathematics education, and
learned first-hand about their experiences. These advisement sessions included discussions
about promotion and tenure and work-life balance, both of which are challenging as an assistant
professor.
My experiences far exceeded my expectations of the STaR program and I am much better
prepared for success in my field than I was before my time in Park City. I am excited to share
that our 2015 STaR cohort has established a fellowship that will fund a future 2016 STaR fellow.
I believe that we can make this fellowship sustainable and continue to give back to this amazing
organization.
Thank you again for your support.
Sincerely,

Diana L. Moss
A MEMBER INSTITUTION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AN EQUAL
OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER