Francisco Alarcón
For Francisco Alarcón, math isn’t just numbers and equations. It’s a language that can solve problems in many ways, and it has infinite possibilities. Learn more about him in this week’s Meet Our Faculty feature.
What is it about the mathematics field that initially drew you in—and that ultimately keeps you interested?
I was initially drawn to mathematics in high school. I loved the challenge of trying to “solve” math problems and the thrill of finding solutions. As I progressed studying the field, I discovered more and more areas of mathematics I knew nothing about, and it is that vast set of possibilities that keeps me interested. As I learned more mathematics, I would realize how much more I could learn and still knew nothing about.
Why do you enjoy teaching in this discipline?
Mathematics is a fundamental tool and the right “language” to approach and understand and solve problems in other disciplines. It is having students discover this or just change their own view about mathematics that brings me joy in teaching.
What advice would you give students about how to succeed in college?
Find the things you are passionate about and pursue them with determination and joy. Take advantage of your time in college; you have many opportunities that will not easily be available to you later in life. Also, be willing to step out of your comfort zone for your own personal growth.
Tell us something most of your students may not know about you.
I am a fountain pen addict! I exclusively write with fountain pens and collect fountain pens, both antique and new. At any point in time, I carry and use at least four different pens with four different colors of ink.