Quotes from DHSP Students

Addison Hymer

DHSP Year: 2016–2017 Home Town: Bannister, MI Major: Economics Plans: Aviation – Addison plans to be a commercial pilot.

Best decision that I made during my freshman year.

Eve Heisel

Before I began my freshmen year, I had always viewed math as a formulaic and unwavering subject. However, after joining DHSP, my entire vision of math has changed. Mark introduced me to beautiful and amazing math problems that blew my mind—something I definitely never imagined occurring before coming to Michigan. Along with solving super interesting problems, DHSP has introduced me to an incredible group of people that have eased my transition to Michigan, especially during the pandemic. Join DHSP! You definitely won’t regret it!

DHSP Year: 2020–2021 Home Town: Honolulu, HI Major: Biomedical Engineering Plans: Working an industry position in the medical device field.

Gabe Weber

DHSP Year: 2021–2022 Home Town: Leslie, MI Major: Actuarial Mathematics Plans: I will be working at Milliman LifeRTC in Chicago, IL. I will be an actuarial analyst on their Life Technology Solutions team.

DHSP was so much more than I imagined. Throughout the course, I created lasting relationships with my peers in the class and deepened my knowledge of Calculus. This class is perfect for people who want to test the extent of their mathematical capabilities. Mark is the kindest person ever, and he truly cares about all of his students, during this class and beyond.

Jade Griffin

DHSP was not only a huge help in Math 115 and 116, but it was my favorite class. I do not usually enjoy math but working on such interesting problems and collaborating with others made DHSP a class I always looked forward to. Mark is so helpful and I definitely did better in calc 1 and 2 because of him and this class. I cannot recommend participating in DHSP enough.

DHSP Year: 2024–2025 Home Town: Deer Park, NY Major: Biochemistry Plans: Medical Researcher

Jessica Middleton

DHSP Year: 2020–2021 Home Town: West Bloomfield, MI Major: B.S. Environment (specialization: Environmental Informatics) Plans: Engineering Technician (GIS), Indian Health Service, Pierre, South Dakota

DHSP was an incredible experience. Dealing with online school was often debilitating, but participating in this program always gave me something to look forward to each week. Between having access to a community of incredible people to extra tutoring to Mark’s inspiring dedication to students, DHSP truly made my freshman year. I am so grateful to call myself an alum!

Kwabena Asafu-Adjaye Frimpong

DHSP has helped me improve my critical thinking skills and take my knowledge of Calculus to new heights. I sincerely enjoyed working with my peers to tackle difficult Calculus problems and prepare for upcoming exams. Professor Conger is incredibly helpful when it comes to teaching students how to apply math to real-world situations and master challenging concepts.

DHSP Year: 2024–2025 Home Town: Round Hill, VA Major: Mechanical Engineering Plans: Manufacturing

Dominic Hammond

DHSP Year: 2023–2024 Home Town: Battle Creek, MI Major: Physics, Mathematics Plans: I?d like to be a professor in a teaching position, I think.

DHSP has been an incredible experience for me. A lot of math classes are very unmotivated in the way that content is taught. Formulas and ideas are given to you, and you rarely feel like you’ve made any sort of discovery. In DHSP, though, every problem is interesting and leads you to a conclusion that actually feels significant.

Denise Bonsu

DHSP was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my freshman year. I am so happy Mark’s email labeled “Calculus Opportunity” (that I thought was kind of sketchy at the time) was the one in my spam folder that stuck out to me. Mark is a truly wonderful person who really loves to teach and I think (even if you don’t like math) you can come to appreciate its applications and change the way you see the world. Anyway, I’ve come to like mathematics a lot more than I already did before.

DHSP Year: 2021–2022 Home Town: Mansfield, TX Major: Biochemistry, Biological Research, Microbiology, Cellular and Molecular Biology Plans: I plan to apply to MD/PhD programs (I hope I get into the one here!) on a path to study internal medicine or pathology.

Jonathan Samey

DHSP Year: 2023–2024 Home Town: Minneapolis, MN Major: Neuroscience Plans: Emergency Medicine

DHSP has been the foundation of my college experience. It has allowed me to connect with people that I can only assume will be my lifelong friends. It is a window into the world of science and understanding. Mark became our advisor and friend. He has stuck with us and shown me how I can be the best I can be. Being a Douglass Houghton Scholar will always be a part of my identity as a student.

Emma Bersch

DHSP has entirely shifted my perspective on math. I never considered myself a star math student, but regardless I decided to apply to see if that could be changed. With Mark as my mentor, I can see myself improving while becoming more confident in my work. Mark has not only offered his limitless knowledge, but also his emotional support for all of his students. Everyone should take a class from Mark before leaving U of M. I don’t know what I would have done without him and all of DHSP.

DHSP Year: 2019–2020 Home Town: Los Angeles, CA Major: Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience Plans: Medical School

Paulo Warren

DHSP Year: 2015–2016 Home Town: Ann Arbor, MI Major: Computer Science Plans: Computer security, cryptography, full stack web development

Taught me to love getting problems wrong, and to love getting problems right even more. DHSP was also a huge study tool that you are kind of “forced” to go to every week. Especially towards the end of Math 116, I found that DHSP was often the first place I went to to clear up new and old content. Additionally, the informal atmosphere of the class makes studying great.

Maya Crystal

DHSP has blown my mind on so many different occasions. It provides the time and resources to solve really interesting and unique problems, many of which are seen in real life. It has solidified my base in calc 1 and 2 and Mark is such an awesome person who really knows his stuff and cares about his students. Plus he makes delicious cookies. 10/10 recommend.

DHSP Year: 2018–2019 Home Town: New Paltz, NY Major: Bio, Health & society Plans: Strategy consulting and potentially business school

Aarathi Kumaran

DHSP Year: 2021–2022 Home Town: Indiana Major: Mathematical Sciences (Discrete and Algorithmic Methods)

Joining DHSP has been one of the best decisions that I took during my freshman year. It was my favorite class and I really enjoyed taking part in this class. Mark makes solving math problems very fun. This made all of us discuss problems with each other and solve very difficult math problems with just simple math. In this class I learnt so much more than just math.

Faith Fuller

I appreciate DHSP because being able to study and do my homework with my friends from my class has really helped me get a better understanding of the material we learn in Calc 115 and 116. I also think it’s a great program because you get to stay with the same group for 2 semesters.

DHSP Year: 2023–2024 Home Town: Westbury, NY Major: Aerospace Engineering Plans: I plan on working in the Aerospace industry once I graduate.

Liz Kirschner

DHSP Year: 2021–2022 Home Town: N Bellmore, NY Major: BCN, BHS Plans: Doctor

DHSP has showed me the importance of team work and higher-level thinking. For those four hours a week, I am surrounded by individuals with great drive and kindness. Unwelcoming is simply not in DHSP’s vocabulary. Working alongside both Mark and my classmates, I have found a new respect for mathematics. My problem solving skills have increased while making so many friends along the way, and I am so happy that DHSP has been a part of my academic career here at U of M.

Maggie Lin

I learned so many math and non-math related concepts from DHSP! It’s really a great community, and Mark is always available and willing to help with a problem you are stuck on—even non-math related ones. The alumni networks is huge so you can hear about different career pathways and get advice that can help you navigate college better!

DHSP Year: 2024–2025 Home Town: Chicago, IL Major: Pre-vet; Biology Plans: veterinarian

Alyssa Enciso

DHSP Year: 2017–2018 Home Town: Dexter, MI Major: Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Plans: BioTechnology, Immuno-Oncology

I had a bad experience with math all throughout high school. I was skeptical of DHSP because of that but I decided to give it a shot and it has really helped me turn my views on math around. If you would’ve told me I’d be in Calc II 2 years ago I wouldn’t have believed you in the slightest. DHSP is a great place to build on your math skills, and make amazing connections in a supportive environment surrounded by people who are all very similar to you and I’d recommend it to anyone.

Mila Havens

Often in math class, students can get bored or never learn real world uses of their knowledge, but DHSP addresses both of these issues. Students must work together to bounce ideas off each other and learn how to solve challenging real world problems that normal classes don’t have time for.

DHSP Year: 2019–2020 Home Town: Clarkston, MI Major: Computer Science/Software Engineering Plans: Software Engineer

Benancio Rodriguez

DHSP Year: 2016–2017 Home Town: Grant, MI Major: Biochemistry Plans: Professor. Benancio is currently a grad student at UCLA.

DHSP has given me the opportunity to interact with math in a different way. In high school, I took trig/pre-calc as a freshman. My high school did not have any math courses beyond that to offer (besides statistics), so I was very removed from math when coming here. DHSP helped me overcome difficulties that came from not doing math for so many years.

Marisa Rose

DHSP has allowed me to love math more and appreciate what I am learning. The class I coined my “fun math class,” DHSP is challenging, enjoyable, and feels like a family. I have met some of my close friends in the program and had more success in math 115/116 because of the class.

DHSP Year: 2023–2024 Home Town: Owosso, MI Major: Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Plans: Research

Ariel Everitt

DHSP Year: 2016–2017 Home Town: Hale, MI Major: English and Creative Writing Plans: Writer, MFA in Creative Writing

I came to U-M with a weak mathematics background (my tiny high school scarcely offered precalc), and I would not have passed Calc I & II without DHSP. My freshman year was characterized by intense struggle, and, had it not been for DHSP and Mark Conger, I absolutely would have given up (maybe even on college as a whole). This supportive, engaging program (probably) saved my academic career, challenged me, and gave me confidence in my problem-solving abilities. My DHSP experience has given me the freedom to enjoy challenges, with the knowledge that I can figure them out (or at least use what I learn to get pretty close). Mark is so incredibly patient, fun, and helpful, and because of him and his program I always knew I had available to me the support I needed.

Zack Conley

DHSP is honestly one of the most interesting courses I have ever taken. It is amazing to see how the math that you are learning actually has real-world applications, and that you can solve and find things using math that you’d never even thought about or imagined. DHSP is a great way to ease yourself into college by getting to actually meet and know some people on a more personal level. It gives you something to look forward to throughout the week, even if your schedule looks packed and looks as if you will have a lot of work to do. Mark is a great guy, and is very passionate about teaching and doing what he does best. Any questions or concerns that you have regarding math, school, or anything else, he is a great resource and friend to have. I strongly recommend that you apply and enroll in DHSP!

DHSP Year: 2013–2014 Home Town: Portage, MI Major: Movement Science Plans: Physical Therapy

Faiza Chowdhury

DHSP Year: 2023–2024 Home Town: Hamtramck, MI Major: Computer Science Plans: Undecided

DHSP has been one of the wisest decisions I made entering college. Having the additional support has encouraged me to get out of my comfort zone and ask for help when I needed it. I owe many thanks to Mark as well as I am eternally grateful for all the support he gives to his students, in math, EECS, and otherwise.

Emma Westerman

When I was a junior and senior in college I spent a lot of time securing an internship and then a full-time position and with that came the rigorous process of building and preparing a strong resume that would catch an employer’s attention. I cannot tell you how much being able to say I was a graduate of the Douglas Houghton Math Scholars Program helped me to demand that attention. And not only that, but once I was offered that interview, on many occasions I discussed with my potential employer all of the great things DHSP had helped me to accomplish. They loved to hear about the team atmosphere we not only become accustomed to, but thrive in as a DHSPer. They also loved to hear about the great analytical, logical, and complex problem solving skills we acquire by being challenged with difficult and sometimes impossible problems. DHSP is a large part of the reason I have become as successful as I have not only in my academic career but my professional one as well.

DHSP Year: 2009–2010 Home Town: St.Louis, MO Major: Actuarial Mathematics Plans: Actuary, preferably consulting

Cachet Colvard

DHSP Year: 2011–2012 Home Town: Southfield, MI Major: Asian Studies: Chinese Language & Culture Plans: Healthcare Administration & Business Operations

DHSP has really helped me grow as a student here at U of M, not only in math but in all areas. I really appreciate the structure of the class and Mark’s way of teaching. DHSP enforces patience and hard work – these two things are really crucial to excelling as a student. Though it may not seem like it, I appreciate Mark never telling us if we are correct or not, he makes us figure it out on our own and find our own mistakes – that’s the only way one can truly learn.

Eric Bickerstaff

4 words: Saved My Calc Grade. I’m so glad I had Mark and my classmates to help me with anything I didn’t understand. Otherwise…I undoubtedly would have failed.

DHSP Year: 2011–2012 Home Town: Perry, MI Major: Nursing Plans: Eric worked as a nurse for many years before switching careers to medical sales. (He was never in danger of failing.)

Jannah Mandwee

DHSP Year: 2016–2017 Home Town: Macomb, MI Major: Computer Science Plans: Diplomat/Diplomatic Technology Officer

This class was one of the highlights of my college career. It helped me get over my fear of failure, especially with math. The most important thing to do is try, and Mark builds an environment to do just that. If everyone took this class, the world would be a better place.

David McMillon

DHSP made an enormous impact on my professional development. It increased my aptitude for calculus while I was enrolled, which also improved my grades with intuition. Mark has also been a key supporter and mentor throughout my college experience.

DHSP Year: 2008–2009 Home Town: Saginaw, MI Major: Applied Math, Engineering Plans: David completed a masters degree in mathematics at Michigan, and a Ph.D. at the University of Chicago. He is currently Assistant Professor of Economics at Emory University.