Sally Cockburn

Sally Cockburn is a Professor in the Mathematics and Statistics Department at Hamilton College, where she has been part of the faculty since 1991. Her research spans combinatorial optimization, geometric graph theory, and the philosophical foundations of mathematics.

• Education: Ph.D. from Yale University, M.Sc. from Queen’s University, M.Sc. from University of Ottawa, B.Sc. (Honors) from Queen’s University

Her research focuses on geometric graph homomorphisms and poset structures, with applications in combinatorial optimization and computational complexity. She has explored philosophical questions in mathematics education and developed pedagogical materials for undergraduate courses.

Recent publications analyze geometric graph properties (like K2,n and K3,3), NP-hardness, and set theory. These works situate her at the intersection of discrete mathematics and educational innovation.

• Scientific Awards:
  • Mathematical Association of America Carl B. Allendoerfer Award (2014)
  • Class of 1963 Faculty Fellowship (2005, 1996)

Cockburn mentors students through collaborative research, notably guiding Yonghyun Song and Joshua Lesperance. She actively participates in college governance as a faculty secretary and on academic policy committees. As Mellon curricular leader for quantitative reasoning and squash team coach, she integrates academic and athletic leadership.