Christine Von Renesse

Christine von Renesse is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics at Westfield State University. She specializes in inquiry-based learning and integrates interdisciplinary connections (e.g., games, music, dance, arts) into her teaching, particularly in Mathematics for Liberal Arts courses. As a passionate advocate for STEM education reform, she co-leads the NE-COMMIT initiative and facilitates professional development workshops for K-12 and higher education faculty. Her work extends to graduate program coordination and institutional committees like Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC).

• Education:
  • PhD in Mathematics (2007), University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • M.Ed in Mathematics (2002), Technical University, Berlin
  • Diplom in Mathematics (2001), Technical University, Berlin

Her research focuses on enhancing mathematical understanding through open inquiry, with a strong emphasis on curiosity-driven pedagogy and accessibility. She has authored numerous publications on inquiry-based teaching, including collaborations on the COMMIT Network and the Discovering the Art of Mathematics project. Her NSF-funded work bridges faculty collaboration and STEM education transformation, supported by her leadership roles in initiatives like STEM-ACT.

Prof. von Renesse actively contributes to academic service as a PRIMUS board member, graduate advisor, and coordinator of mathematics education programs. Her interdisciplinary approach spans from salsa dancing to proof-writing, aiming to make mathematics engaging and relevant across diverse fields.