Darry Andrews has led the Mathematics and Statistics Learning Center (MSLC) as director since 2004. He completed his PhD at the University of California Berkeley with a thesis in stochastic processes and probability. As a graduate student, he wanted to pursue a career in industry but felt that the options he had in California, where he had grown up and wanted to stay, were very limited. The available opportunities usually related to the defense industry, which he did not have a passion for. That was how he ended up applying for a job with AT&T and relocating to New Jersey to start his career in industry.
He worked at AT&T for 15 years, during which he held different positions, ranging from mathematical modeling in the telecommunications network, software testing and managing the deployment of products in the network of smaller telecom companies. It was AT&T that, after a few years in New Jersey, brought Andrews and his family to Columbus, Ohio, where his division in the company had a local presence. During his years working for the company, he enjoyed the collaboration with other math PhDs and the hard-working environment that allowed him to keep learning.
In 2001, however, it was time to move on and he took a position with Columbus City Schools as a math supervisor. It was in that position that he met Dan Shapiro and other people from the Department of Mathematics, who were looking to partner with the school district on teacher training. And so, in 2004, when the department was looking for someone to assume the position of director of the MSLC, they immediately thought that Andrews would be perfect for it. For him, it was also a great opportunity that he took enthusiastically.
With his background in technology, he saw an opportunity for the center to grow by taking advantage of emerging technologies. From the start, he had a vision of making sure students received the help they needed in learning mathematics, while also supporting and training MSLC tutors and instructors in lower-division math courses. This vision and the hard work of Andrews and his awesome team, which he values immensely, have come to make the MSLC an important learning hub at Ohio State.
He has always appreciated the professional and congenial atmosphere in his department. Lastly, he is an avid dog and nature lover, which often leads to regular visits to local parks.
This article was contributed by the Diversity and Departmental Climate Committee. Visit this page to know more about the department’s commitment to diversity.
