What Students Say about MCC Math

"I am so glad that I took Math 105 at MCC. I learned more valuable information that I will actually remember and put to use than I have in any other math class. I took the second part of the class at Central Michigan and honestly felt like I was above the rest of the kids who took the first part of CMU, and I felt like I knew so much more. I feel that I got a wonderful education with Mrs. Andersen and Math 105 that will help me in the future as I look to become a teacher."

         - Alyssa Nauta, Math for Elementary Teachers (Winter 2007)

"It may sound corny, but the instruction I received in mathematics at MCC changed my life. The instructors cared about me and took the time to make sure I really understood the material and succeeded in the courses. Even instructors I’d never had for a course were willing to help when I needed it. And seeing their dedication to students’ success inspired me to choose teaching as a profession. Before meeting these instructors, I’d never even considered graduate school. I didn’t even know what I wanted to do with my life. Yet here I am. Since leaving MCC, I’ve earned a B.S. in Applied Mathematics from Western Michigan, and am currently pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of Kentucky. I can honestly say I would not be where I am today were it not for the exceptional mathematics teachers at MCC. Thanks a million!"

       - Meg Arthur, Trigonometry, Calculus I, II, and III, Diff Eq, Linear Algebra (2003-2004) 

"I took MATH 161 at Muskegon Community College during the summer of my sophomore year.  As a student at a larger university, I was very pleased with my experience at MCC.  The classroom setting was far more personalized than my school offered, the course material was exactly the same, and the class was a fraction of the cost.  I left the class with a great foundation for progressing to upper level mathematics, and would highly recommend taking classes at MCC to supplement the curriculum of a 4-year university."

       - Chris Gunderson, Calculus I (Summer 2006)

"When I began college, I had no intention of taking any more mathematics classes then those that I needed. My interests were in history, geography, politics, and other social sciences. I procrastinated in taking my math classes. I had tested into Math 40 and took this class with Mrs. Andersen.

By this time I had not had a math class in 10 years, I could do basic math but nothing too complex. I did the homework, read the sections (math texts are read differently than any other book), and studied for tests. I did well in Math 40 and some of the material turned out to be interesting. Mrs. Andersen recommended I go into mathematics. I would tell her, "Sure, I will think about it!" having no intention of going into math - I mean, I love history.

So then I took math 50, and did well in this class, but I found more interesting things in mathematics, things that we use in everyday life. At this point I still didn't think of math as a potential career, but it deserved consideration and I began to think about what Mrs. Andersen said about mathematics.

To make a long story short I continued to take mathematics classes and set myself to getting a minor. Then I took Mrs. Andersen again for Calculus I. This class was amazing. I knew math could be interesting, but this took it into a whole new realm!! The odds of some average person using calculus in everyday life was slim,  but this is the point where my minor turned into a major! I transferred to GVSU after this class.

While at GVSU I was successful at mathematics, and in retrospect, I wish I would have taken all the math classes at MCC and then transfered. The reason for this is two-fold. The first is the amount of money I could have saved, and the second is that the instructors at MCC are truly concerned about seeing their students succeed. This is not to say instructors at other colleges aren't, but the instructors at MCC are willing to help you and work with you. At MCC you get a better understanding for the mathematics because the instructors can spend more time with those that are struggling. So my suggestion is to take as many math classes as you can at MCC. This will save you money and in return, you get a great math education that will make you successful wherever you choose to transfer.
 
Note: If you really want to be good at math, tutor mathematics!"

      - Jason Chronister, Math 040 through Math 161, GVSU graduate, Mathematics