Association of Women in Mathematics Honors Baylor University’s Trena Wilkerson

Trena Wilkerson, a professor of mathematics education at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, received the Louise Hay Award from the Association for Women in Mathematics.

“The award is more recognition of what I’ve done and am currently doing, but it is elevated to a national level,” Dr. Wilkerson said. “And one of the great things about this award is it caused me to think about all the people who have mentored me to be able to be at this point in my career.”

Professor Wilkerson said her position has placed her in leadership roles, mentoring roles, and researching roles. She spent 18 years working as a high school math teacher. Since joining the faculty at Baylor University in 1999, she has become the president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Her research interests include mathematics education, teacher education, algebra teacher efficacy, teaching and learning of mathematics, and professional development. She was the editor for the Texas Math Teacher, the journal of the Texas Council of Teachers of Mathematics from 2017 to 2020.

Dr. Wilkerson is a graduate of Mississippi College in Clinton. She earned a master’s degree in mathematics education from Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond. She holds a Ph.D. in mathematics curriculum and instruction from the University of Southern Mississippi.