Sangeeta Gad
Biography
Sangeeta Gad received her Master of Science degree in Applied Mathematics from the University of Bombay in 1970. After teaching at a junior college in India for one year she arrived in Oklahoma City and started teaching Mathematics. During her tenure there she became aware of the lack of students' motivation to learn Mathematics and other STEM subjects; she dedicated herself to making Mathematics more interesting, relevant and engaging. She relocated to Houston and joined the UHD in the early 1980s.
Under-prepared students in Mathematics continued to be a motivating factor, and Sangeeta became passionate about connecting with and motivating students in introductory Mathematics courses at UHD.
UHD implemented the Academic Support Center in the late 1980s to supplement freshmen level Mathematics courses. Sangeeta was chosen to direct it in 1992. She spearheaded the early adoption of technology in preparing tutors and in engaging students using the Center. She staffed the Center with both faculty and peer tutors. Over 18 years, Sangeeta has mentored over 100 tutors. These tutors became better students of Mathematics while they helped others, with over 90% of them having pursued STEM degrees, and 50% of them becoming Mathematics teachers or faculty at higher education institutes.
In 1990 UHD adopted Houston PREP program to address the lack of STEM interest in the higher education and industry. Sangeeta took over directing Houston PREP in 1993. By obtaining additional funding and recruiting promising students through meetings with local school officials, she gradually increased the annual enrollment from 30 students to the current enrollment of 300. Over 4000 students have participated in this program, 99% going to higher education and 47% pursuing STEM careers.
She was Co-PI on many NSF, NASA grants to support undergraduate students, especially girls at UHD. She has mentored many students guiding them to internships, graduate schools and industry jobs
Degrees Earned
- Master of Science, University of Bombay, 1970
Courses Taught
MATH 1404: Precalculus Mathematics
Experience Qualifications
Teaching Experience
- Lecturer, Department of Mathematics & Statistics.
- Teach freshman and sophomore mathematics courses.
- Serve as departmental advisor of student majors.
- Participate in departmental committees to develop syllabi and departmental exams.
Work Experience
- Director, Houston Pre-freshman Enrichment Program (PREP) 1994-Present
- Manage operations of seven-week summer program; recruitment students, instructor/employee • Conduct teacher training for Houston PREP instructors.
- Organize educational field trips; guest speaker series; special events such as NASA Visits and Engineering/Career Days.
- Promote involvement and manage relationships with industry representatives, government agencies, and academic personnel.
- Work closely with the Office of Institutional Advancement. Co-PI for NSF femProf, Advancing Females to Professoriate in computing 2010 -2013.
- Recruit students to the project, Mentor selected students, Recruit students to attend workshops, conferences PI for Texas higher education coordinating board grant for College and Career Readiness Present.
- Work with Houston West P-16 council
- Organize higher education institute trips for school districts
- Recruit students to attend Houston PREP, Scholars Academy at University of Houston-Downtown Co-Investigator for NASA-Urban Outreach Program in Space Science (CCSDS) 2001-2005
- Coordinate activities with NASA, including teacher training and student events.
- Manage relationships between grant participants: NASA, JSC, Texas Southern University, and Houston Museum of Natural Science. OKLAHOMA CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Oklahoma City, OK, Instructor, High School Mathematics 1972-1977Professional Credentials.
- TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY Houston, TX Secondary Teachers Certificate - State of Texas 1983
Professional Credentials:
- TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY Houston, TX Secondary Teachers Certificate - State of Texas 1983
- CENTRAL STATE UNIVERSITY Edmond, OK Secondary Teachers Certificate - State of Oklahoma 1977
More Information
Presentations
Presents Houston PREP at annual directors' meeting every year.
Awards
- PI on the Northrop Grumman, Schlumberger, KBR, Powell Foundation grants for PREP to enhance programs
- Co-PI for the NSF grant "Paving the Road to Professorship for Female Students," a collaborative between the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez (UPRM) and the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD). It helped to put undergraduate students on the road to academic careers in computing
- PI on the West Houston P-16 Council Grant to support THECB goals of 'Closing the Gap' and 'Career and College Readiness' for Houston area students.