Math Major Newsletter - Fall 2025 Week 3

Internship and capstone presentations today!

This newsletter comes to your inbox each week from the GVSU math department. You can find past newsletters and information about previously announced events and opportunities at the newsletter webpage.

Today! Math Major Internship Presentations and MTH 490 information session

Wednesday September 10, 1-2 pm in the Peer Collaboration Space (MAK A-2-610)

Want to learn how to find an internship, and maybe count it for your capstone too? Come learn about internships that fellow math majors completed over the last year. Also learn more about the Applied Math capstone option, MTH 490 - Internship Seminar.

Learn more about Applied Math capstone and internships under "Internship, career, and other opportunities" below, too!

Friday! Math circle: Artistic Multiplication

Friday September 12, 1-2:30 pm in the Peer Collaboration Space (MAK A-2-610).

Explore a new, artistic type of multiplication! Come any time, leave any time. Even if you can't arrive until 2:00, that's OK.

Math circles are a time to explore new math ideas in a friendly environment. Everyone is welcome!

Find these on the calendar of math major events (add it to your calendar at http://gvsu.edu/s/25s).

Friday September 19: Applied Math Seminar, 1 - 2 pm in the PCS. Jensen Holm, a GVSU alum, will speak about machine learning in baseball. Find a list of more upcoming seminars at the Applied Math Seminar webpage.
Friday September 26: Math lawn games! 1 - 2 pm. Meet in the PCS and we'll move outside.
Every Friday at 1pm in the Peer Collaboration Space (MAK A-2-610). The math department hosts events throughout the semester on Fridays at 1pm. Keep this time available so you can attend. Everyone is welcome!

Teach in Tanzania! (study abroad) Future math teachers can study abroad in Tanzania, put your skills into practice, and have the adventure of a lifetime! (Plus, you can earn class and capstone credit.) Curious? Fill out this interest form to connect with us and get on our email list and learn more on the study abroad website.

Find out more about this and many other opportunities at the Study Abroad Fair on Wednesday September 17.

Upcoming career events of interest to math majors:
- tomorrow! Thursday September 11: Non-profit volunteer and internship fair, 1 - 3 pm on the Kirkhof north lawn. Find dozens of volunteer and internship opportunities!
- Wednesday October 1: State of Michigan Careers, 11 am - 12:30 pm in Kirkhof Pere Marquette Room. Learn about jobs in the Michigan state government.
- Employer of the day: A new employer comes to campus every week.
Applied Math Capstone opportunities: Start looking into these right away!
- Register soon for MTH 498 - Project-based Applied Mathematics (Capstone): If you are an applied math major and intend to graduate by Fall 2026, then you will need to complete your capstone course in the next year. MTH 498 is the standard option for your capstone and it is only offered in the Winter semester. There are limited seats available in MTH 498 for the Winter 2026 semester, so please register ASAP!
- Capstone credit for your internship (MTH 490): Applied math majors who are planning to do an internship might be able to earn capstone credit! If your internship is "mathy" and meets some other requirements, you can get capstone class credit (MTH 490) for that internship. The process to get approved for MTH 490 takes time -- if you intend to apply for a MTH 490 internship capstone, email or talk to Dr. Clark right away to get the process started. Don't wait!
Community-Based Work Study: If you are eligible for work study, this is a chance to earn money and make a difference in your community. See the link for a list of employers and how to apply.
The GVSU Career Center can help you find career and internship opportunities:
- Career Communities: Tailored communication about job & internship postings, events, and resources related to the industry area you are interested in. New communities have been added for Education; Engineering, Technology, & Data; and Science and Research.
- CareerLab offers drop-in hours virtually and in-person.

ScholarshipUniverse is GVSU's main website for finding and applying for scholarships. You can search by all kinds of filters and find matches for your major, minor, or other criteria.

MI Future Educator Fellowship. A $10,000 scholarship for future educators, renewable for up to three years. There is a commitment to teach in a Michigan school as part of the fellowship. This fellowship depends on the State of Michigan's budget, which is not yet finalized.
MI Future Educator Stipend. This $9,600 one-time stipend is for students in their student teaching ("internship") semester. This stipend depends on the State of Michigan's budget, which is not yet finalized.
Unpaid Internship Support. If you find an internship and register for MTH 490 but aren't paid for it, you can apply for funding from the college! There are many details; click the link for more.

Graduate school information: Interested in graduate school? Did you know that most math graduate programs are funded (that is, they pay you to complete a masters or doctorate)? Talk with your advisor or Dr. Clark and use these resources too.
- Finding graduate programs: Looking for graduate programs to apply to? Here are two websites that will help find and filter graduate programs that are right for you: USA/Canada Math PhD Programs GRE Requirements and AMS Find Grad Programs.
- Learning about graduate school: Want to learn more about what graduate school is and how to prepare for it? Try these sites: Grad Guide (advice on applying to graduate school), STEM Graduate Programs website (help creating resumes, applying to fellowships, and more).

Put these dates on your calendar!

Wednesday September 17: Study Abroad Fair. 10 am - 3 pm in 2250 Kirkhof Center (the Grand River Room)
Tuesday October 14: Career Fair! 1 - 5 pm in DeVos Place, downtown Grand Rapids.

One important thing to know:
Drop-in math tutoring

Have you stopped by the Math Tutoring Center? Check it out now so that you know where it is when you really need it!

The Math Tutoring Center offers free drop-in tutoring – no appointment required – both in Allendale (Mackinac A-2-601) and downtown (Steelcase Library collaboration zone in DeVos A) as well as online. The Math Tutoring Center covers classes from MTH 108 up through MTH 225. Tutoring is free, friendly, and helpful.

You’re welcome to come in and work on your homework until you need help! Check out the Math Tutoring Center webpage for more information.