Featured in SIAM News for her work as a SIAM EDI Change Agent, Professor Anastasiia Minenkova led an initiative that exemplified the impact of equity-driven efforts in mathematics education. As a faculty member in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Hartford, she leveraged this role to create a more welcoming and supportive environment for students from all backgrounds. Grounded in a commitment to equity, inclusion, and ethical practice, the initiative aimed to popularize mathematics, reduce bias, address historical disparities, and help students see themselves reflected in the discipline.
Key components included the creation of a Mathematics EDI Community Library with approximately 20 curated titles, a series of film screenings (including Coded Bias and Journeys of Black Mathematicians: Forging Resilience), and community-building social events featuring pi‑kus, shared pie, and reflective discussion. The initiative also brought diverse guest speakers to campus who shared their academic journeys and research, actively engaging students and broadening perspectives on mathematics and its societal impact.