Kristian Edosomwan 
Assistant Professor of Mathematics Education 
Department of Curriculum & Instruction 
Education: B.A., Sociology & Asian Studies, Rice University; M.Ed., Curriculum & Instruction, Texas A&M University; Ph.D., Curriculum & Instruction, Texas A&M University 
Most recent job: Graduate Research Assistant, Texas A&M University 
 
What drew you to UH?  
I love how UH truly works to improve the outcome of urban students and educates so many people living on the Gulf Coast. As someone focused on research that improves the math outcomes of urban students, I know that UH has connections and resources that will position me to make the most impact and that I can contribute to UH with my research and skills. And of course, I am from the region and extremely happy I landed near my family. 
  
Can you share a little about your background (Where did you grow up? First-generation college student? Family background? Were you destined for academia or …. etc.)?  
I grew up in Beaumont, Texas as the proud daughter of two elementary school teachers. Everyone always knew I would end up in some kind of advanced education because I was always a bookworm who loved learning new things and graduated as valedictorian. When I announced my job at UH on social media all my family, friends, and former classmates were unsurprised. 
 
What are your research interests/areas of expertise? And what inspired or motivates your interest?  
I research access to advanced mathematics coursework. This comes from my background, where taking advanced mathematics completely changed my life trajectories and prepared me for educational success. When my first-grade teacher tried to place me in special education because I was slow to learn how to read, my mother taught me how to read (with my older sister helping me practice). My mother was a special education teacher and knew I did not have a learning disability, and her teaching me how to read inspired my love of learning. That increased my test scores and placed me in advanced mathematics. My research focuses on who takes advanced mathematics, what policies increase mathematics enrollment for underrepresented students, and how the opportunity to take advanced mathematics impacts student pathways and resources. 
 
What accomplishment or recognition are you most proud of so far in your career? 
I am very proud of the TEDx talk I gave earlier this year because it allowed me to share my passion and research about having students take more advanced math classes in high school based on its association with success in school and life. My family also really hyped me up when I shared the YouTube video, which made me feel especially accomplished. They have always been supportive. However, seeing them all share and praise the video was what pushed this to be my proudest accomplishment: the joy of sharing my research in an easy-to-understand way my whole family could enjoy. 
 
What’s one project you’re working on (or hope to work on this year) that has you excited? 
I am really excited about using more detailed educational data to see how advanced mathematics trajectories affect the educational, life, and career outcomes of Texas students. Using UH’s connections and resources, I want to produce research and guidance that will increase the advanced mathematics course-taking for students. UH has so much excellence, high-quality data about Texas students that I have been wanting to access for years, so this is a dream come true for me. 
 
What advice would you give yourself as a college student? 
Go outside, exercise, and drink more water! I was terrible about maintaining my health and fitness as an undergraduate student. It was not until I started cycling, drinking more water, and eating better while working abroad that I realized how terrible I felt physically as a college student. 
 
If I weren’t a professor, I’d… 
be working as a data analyst for an urban school district or educational non-profit working to improve the educational outcomes of students from traditionally disadvantaged backgrounds. 
  
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?  
I enjoy running, reading, enjoying delicious local coffee, playing cozy games, and being in community with my family. 
 
Any other fun facts you’d like to share? 
My first full time teaching experience was spending a year in rural Taiwan teaching English on a Fullbright grant.