Associate Professor of Mathematics

Dr. Cynthia J. Wyels received a Ph.D. in Mathematics from U.C., Santa Barbara in 1994 under the guidance of Dr. Morris Newman. Her B.A. and M.S. degrees are also in Mathematics, from Pomona College and the University of Michigan, respectively. Prior to joining CSUCI, Dr. Wyels served as chair of Mathematics at California Lutheran University; her faculty experience also includes Weber State University and the United States Military Academy.

Dr. Wyels’ research interests lie in combinatorial mathematics and linear algebra. Most recently she has focused on questions in graph pebbling. She promotes student engagement in mathematical discovery by working with students on any topic that is mutually interesting. Dr. Wyels has obtained funding to provide stipends for minority undergraduate mathematics students to work on research with her full-time during summers. Her interest in developing student programs led her to CSUCI to direct the new Masters in Mathematics program.

Dr. Wyels plays an active role in ongoing mathematical education for teachers. She has created and taught mathematics courses for prospective elementary teachers and designed undergraduate waiver programs for future elementary and secondary educators. She works with practicing teachers in professional development institutes under the auspices of the CLU/ CSUCI Mathematics Project. In addition, Dr. Wyels is interested in how technology can be used to help students learn and do mathematics. Accordingly, she introduces technology in her classes, and has presented talks and workshops drawing on her students’ outcomes.

Dr. Wyels enjoys reading, traveling, and interacting with people from other cultures, at home and abroad. She is particularly fond of CSUCI’s location, and takes advantage of it by pursuing outdoor sports in her free time.