Congratulations to Dr. Axel Brandt on receiving the Henry L. Alder Award for Distinguished Teaching from the National Mathematical Association. The Henry L. Alder Award for Distinguished Teaching by a Beginning College or University Mathematics Faculty Member is to honor beginning college or university faculty whose teaching has been extraordinarily successful and whose effectiveness in teaching undergraduate mathematics is shown to have influence beyond their own classrooms.
Dr. Axel Brandt received his Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from the University of Colorado Denver in 2016. Dr. Brandt was a Teaching Postdoctoral Fellow at Davidson College (NC) for two years, and Assistant Professor at Northern Kentucky University for four years, before returning to his family home near Cleveland, OH, in 2022 as Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics, Computer Science, and Data Science at John Carroll University. At each of these stops in his early professional journey, Dr. Brandt has shared an infectious enthusiasm for mathematics with his students, colleagues, and wider communities.
In the classroom, Dr. Brandt strives to use inclusive and equitable practices, engaging students with active learning, utilizing Open Educational Resources, and incorporating service learning. His classroom teaching extends to mentoring research with at least 15 undergraduates, leading in several instances to co-authored publications with his students. Described as a “math community organizer,” Dr. Brandt has been a leader in professional development and community learning, organizing “Professional Idea Exchange” (PIE) sessions for faculty at multiple institutions, initiating a “Student Challenge Corner” in the Kentucky MAA Newsletter, chairing the Ohio Section NExT Organizing Committee, and publishing about incorporating philanthropy and teaching mathematics through games. Indeed, Dr. Brandt has an arsenal of math games and activities that he draws upon to provide students with mental refreshment while also demonstrating the magnificence of mathematics.
Aware of the barriers that some students may face relative to others, Dr. Brandt has dedicated considerable time to work on grants aimed at improving STEM retention and outcomes. At both his prior and current institution, Dr. Brandt has contributed to programs for PEERs, low-income, and first-generation students.
In his work with pre-college students or their teachers through outreach, teaching college students at any level, or conversing with university parents or alumni, Dr. Brandt never fails to share his energy and excitement for mathematics. Indeed, whether it be from colleagues across disciplines, students, or even parents of students, a consistent theme of those that reflect on their interactions with Dr. Brandt is how his enthusiasm has made a positive impact on their mathematical experiences and outlooks. One cannot help but to be infected with that enthusiasm, and so we enthusiastically recognize Dr. Brandt as a recipient of the 2024 Henry L. Alder Award.