The Directed Reading Program (DRP) pairs undergraduate students with graduate mentors for a semester-long reading project.

Mission Statement

The primary goal of the DRP is to broaden participation in mathematics, especially among members of underrepresented groups, by increasing individuals’ self-identity as mathematicians, by providing them with mentors close to their age, and by welcoming them into the broader mathematical family. Secondary objectives of the program are to extend the undergraduate curriculum and to provide mentoring experience to graduate students.

Requirements

Student mentees are expected to meet with their mentors for one hour each week and spend about four hours prior to each meeting reading and preparing. The precise details of what the undergraduates should do outside of these meetings can be worked out between mentors and mentees, but could include taking notes and preparing questions, working out exercises, or preparing to present a proof on the board at the next meeting. During the second to last week of classes mentees will give a 15 minute presentation on what they learned.

Examples of Projects

For examples of Directed Reading Program projects, see a selection of past presentations by DRP participants and the list of sample project descriptions.

Organization

The DRP is organized by a committee of graduate students. The committee’s responsibilities include recruiting participants, pairing mentors and mentees, and providing guidance and mediation as needed. To contact the organizers, email DRP@syr.edu. The history of DRP organizing committee is below.

• 2023-24: Jesse Hulse and Chelsea Sato
• 2022-23: Nicholas Ng and Chelsea Sato
• 2021-22: Tim Tribone, Nathan Uricchio, and Chelsea Sato (Spring '22)
• 2020-21: Caleb McWhorter and Nathan Uricchio (Spring '21)
• 2019-20: Caleb McWhorter
• 2018-19: Casey Necheles, Mkrtich Ohanyan, and Erin Tripp