This March, John Carroll University is turning its campus into a hub for some of the region’s and nation’s most talented mathematics students.
From March 20–22, the University will host two major events in partnership with the Mathematical Association of America (MAA): the MAA Ohio Section Annual Conference and the prestigious USA Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO) and USA Junior Mathematical Olympiad (USAJMO). Together, the events bring together college students, accomplished alumni, professional mathematicians, and elite high school competitors.
"We're pleased that we were also able to host the MAA's Ohio Section annual conference, which offers both the olympiad participants and our JCU students the opportunity to network with mathematicians and mathematics majors from across the state,” said Axel Brandt, Associate Professor of Mathematics at JCU. We are particularly proud to have accomplished alumni who will be contributing to the conference program."
Real-World Exposure and a NASA Perspective
A highlight of the weekend will be a keynote address delivered by Robert Kassouf-Short ’12, a John Carroll alumnus and research engineer at NASA. His speech will highlight his contributions to NASA’s efforts to maintain communication with astronauts returning to the moon as part of the ARTEMIS program.
Additional mathematics alumni, including Bill Misconish, CPA ’92, CFO for Winston Products, LLC, and Patrick Hackett ’17, Director of Talent Initiatives at Greater Cleveland Partnership, will return for a panel on mathematical careers.
For current John Carroll students, the impact of these events is immediate. They gain access to a statewide network of peers and professionals, hear directly from alumni working in competitive fields, and experience how their coursework connects to real-world applications.
The MAA conference also features a mathematics competition, where JCU students join teams from colleges and universities across the state to test their problem-solving skills in a fast-paced, collaborative setting.
John Carroll students are looking forward to the opportunity to test their skills.
“I’m eager to take on challenges that push me beyond my current experience,” said Carter Adams ’28, a sophomore mathematics major. “I am equally excited for the opportunity to compete against other schools while representing JCU.”
A Front-Row Seat to the Next Generation of Talent
At the same time, John Carroll will serve as an official host site for the USA Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO) and USA Junior Mathematical Olympiad (USAJMO), among the most selective high school mathematics competitions in North America.
Roughly 600 of the highest-performing students from across the country, identified through the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME), are invited to compete. Participants will spend two days solving rigorous, proof-based problems for a total of nine hours.
This year marks the first time the competition will be held at official regional sites, making John Carroll one of just a few institutions chosen to host.
“We're very excited to have been selected as a host site for the USAMO and USAJMO,” said Axel Brandt, Associate Professor of Mathematics at JCU. “Hosting is a great opportunity for us to celebrate and support high schoolers in the region who have excelled in mathematics competitions.”
