Faces of UNC Asheville

Sam Kaplan

In their end-of-semester evaluations, UNC Asheville students consistently praise mathematics profesor Sam Kaplan for his ability to explain difficult material, his enthusiasm, and the way in which he organizes each course. In addition to lectures, he engages students in group work and oral presentations. By providing students with a variety of tools and immersing them in different settings to solve problems, he is able to effectively reach a broad range of skill levels.

A recipient of the UNC system's Award for Excellence in Teaching, Kaplan also has devoted time to creating and launching the Asheville Initiative in Mathematics (AIM), a program that connects UNC Asheville's Mathematics Department with local communities.

"I hope that my excitement and activities inspire my students to view math as a fun and important endeavor," said Kaplan. "In the classroom I have learned that teaching is about providing experiences for the students that help them grow as scholars, master material and build a positive perspective on the craft of mathematics. Always, it is a pleasure to take on this challenge."

Kaplan, who holds a doctorate from Boston University, joined the UNC Asheville faculty in 1999.