ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6022-9630
PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS
Assistant Professor
August 2019–Present
Department of Mathematical Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL
EDUCATION
Doctor of Philosophy, Mathematics
July 2019
Mathematics Education
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
Dissertation: Examining Connections among Instruction, Conceptual Metaphors, and Beliefs of Instructors and Students link to thesis
Advisor: Dr. Estrella Johnson
Committee members: Estrella Johnson, Chair; Anderson Norton, Megan Wawro, Jay Wilkins
Master of Science, Mathematics
December 2014
Discrete Mathematics
Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI
Thesis (Report): A Survey of Distance Magic Graphs link to report
Advisor: Dr. Donald Kreher
Bachelor of Science, Education
May 2012
Secondary Mathematics Education
Martin Luther College, New Ulm, MN
PUBLICATIONS
Refereed Publications
Rupnow, R., & Randazzo, B. (2023). Norms of mathematical definitions: Imposing constraints, permitting choice, or both? Educational Studies in Mathematics. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10649-023-10227-y link to article
Rupnow, R., & Sassman, P. (2022). Sameness in algebra: Views of isomorphism and homomorphism. Educational Studies in Mathematics 111(1), 109–126. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10649-022-10162-4 link to article
Rupnow, R., Randazzo, B., Johnson, E., & Sassman, P. (2022). Sameness in mathematics: A unifying and dividing concept. International Journal of Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40753-022-00178-9 link to article
Rupnow, R. (2021). Mathematicians’ beliefs, instruction, and students’ beliefs: How related are they? International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology. https://doi.org/10.1080/0020739X.2021.1998684 link to article
Rupnow, R., Hegg, M., Fukawa-Connelly, T., Johnson, E., & Weber, K. (2021). How mathematicians assign homework problems in abstract algebra courses. Journal of Mathematical Behavior, 64, 100914. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmathb.2021.100914 link to article
Rupnow, R. (2021). Conceptual metaphors for isomorphism and homomorphism: Instructors’ descriptions for themselves and when teaching. Journal of Mathematical Behavior, 62, 100867. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmathb.2021.100867 link to article
Rupnow, R. L., LaDue, N. D., James, N. M., & Bergan-Roller, H. E. (2020). A perturbed system: How tenured faculty responded to the COVID-19 shift to remote instruction. Journal of Chemical Education, 97(9), 2397–2407. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.0c00802 link to article
Kuster, G., Johnson, E., Rupnow, R., & Wilhelm, A. G. (2019). The inquiry-oriented instructional measure. International Journal of Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education, 5(2), 183–204. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40753-019-00089-2 link to article
Rupnow, R., Davis, K., Johnson, R., Kirchner, E., Sharma, J. & Talukdar, S. R. (2018). Service experiences of undergraduate engineers. International Journal of Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement, 6(1), Article 14. link to article
Stockero, S. L., & Rupnow, R. L. (2017). Measuring noticing within complex mathematics classroom interactions. In E. O. Schack et al. (eds.), Teacher Noticing: Bridging and Broadening Perspectives, Contexts, and Frameworks, 281–302. Research in Mathematics Education, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-46753-5_17 link to chapter
Stockero, S.L., Rupnow R. L., & Pascoe, A. E. (2017). Learning to notice student mathematical thinking in complex classroom interactions. Teaching and Teacher Education, 63, 384–395. link to article
Refereed Conference Proceedings
Rupnow, R., Uscanga, R., & Bergman, A. (in press). Variation in students’ thinking about sameness and comparisons to mathematicians. In Proceedings of the 25th Annual Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education, Omaha, NE.
Rupnow, R., Remus, M., Scheuermann, N., & Bergan-Roller, H. (in press). Values, methods, and facts: How do math and science align and differ from the perspectives of mathematicians and biologists? In Proceedings of the 25th Annual Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education, Omaha, NE.
Mirin, A., & Rupnow, R. (2022). Which should come first: Isomorphism or homomorphism? In Proceedings of the 44th Meeting of the North American Chapter of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education, (pp. 1056–1060). Nashville, TN. https://doi.org/10.51272/pmena.44.2022 link to proceedings
Rupnow, R., & Randazzo, B. (2022). Mathematicians’ language for isomorphism and homomorphism. In Proceedings of the 44th Meeting of the North American Chapter of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education, (pp. 1099–1107). Nashville, TN. https://doi.org/10.51272/pmena.44.2022 link to proceedings
Rupnow, R., & Randazzo, B. (2022). Values and norms of mathematical definitions. In Proceedings of the 24th Annual Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education (pp. 507–514). Boston, MA. link to proceedings
Mirin, A., & Rupnow, R. (2022). Isomorphism and homomorphism in abstract algebra textbooks. In Proceedings of the 24th Annual Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education (pp. 1091–1097). Boston, MA. link to proceedings
Rupnow, R., Uscanga, R., & Bergman, A. (2022). Connecting sameness in abstract algebra: The case of isomorphism and homomorphism. In Proceedings of the 24th Annual Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education (pp. 1131–1136). Boston, MA. link to proceedings
Rupnow, R., & Sassman, P. (2021). Isomorphism and homomorphism as types of sameness. In Olanoff, D., Johnson, K., & Spitzer, S. (Eds.). Proceedings of the 43rd Meeting of the North American Chapter of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education, Philadelphia, PA (pp. 340–348). link to proceedings
Randazzo, B., & Rupnow, R. (2021). Sameness connections across mathematics. In Karunakaran, S. S. & Higgins, A. (Eds.), 2021 Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education Reports. (pp. 238-246). link to proceedings
Rupnow, R., & Johnson, E. (2021). Mathematical sameness: An ill-defined but important concept. In Karunakaran, S. S. & Higgins, A. (Eds.), 2021 Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education Reports. (pp. 274-282). link to proceedings
Rupnow, R. (2020). Linking a mathematician’s beliefs and instruction: A case study. In A.I. Sacristán, J.C. Cortés-Zavala, & P.M. Ruiz-Arias, (Eds.). Mathematics Education Across Cultures: Proceedings of the 42nd Meeting of the North American Chapter of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education, Mexico (pp. 2115–2120). Cinvestav/AMIUTEM/PME-NA. https:/doi.org/10.51272/pmena.42.2020 link to proceedings
Fukawa-Connelly, T., Johnson, E., Hegg, M., Weber, K., & Rupnow, R. (2020). How Mathematicians Assign Homework Problems in Advanced Mathematics Courses. In Karunakaran, S. S., Reed, Z., & Higgins, A. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 23rd Annual Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education. (pp. 1044-1050), Boston, MA. link to proceedings
Rupnow, R. (2020). Varieties of Sameness: Instructors’ Descriptions for Themselves and Students. In Karunakaran, S. S., Reed, Z., & Higgins, A. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 23rd Annual Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education. (pp. 485-492), Boston, MA. link to proceedings
Rupnow, R. (2019). Instructors’ and students’ images of isomorphism and homomorphism. In Weinberg, A., Moore-Russo, D., Soto, H., and Wawro, M. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 22nd Annual Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education. (pp. 518-525), Oklahoma City, OK. link to proceedings
Kuster, G., Rupnow, R., Johnson, E., & Wilhelm, A. G. (2018). Development of the inquiry-oriented instructional measure. In A. Weinberg, C. Rasmussen, J. Rabin, M. Wawro, and S. Brown (Eds.), Proceedings of the 21st Annual Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education (pp. 565–572), San Diego, CA. link to proceedings
Rupnow, R., & Kerrigan, S. (2018). Modeling the spread of ideas in an inquiry-oriented classroom. In A. Weinberg, C. Rasmussen, J. Rabin, M. Wawro, and S. Brown (Eds.), Proceedings of the 21st Annual Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education (pp. 1280–1285), San Diego, CA. link to proceedings
Rupnow, R., LaCroix, T., & Mullins, B. (2018). Building lasting relationships: Inquiry-oriented instructional measure practices. In A. Weinberg, C. Rasmussen, J. Rabin, M. Wawro, and S. Brown (Eds.), Proceedings of the 21st Annual Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education (pp. 1306–1311), San Diego, CA. link to proceedings
Watson, K., Rupnow, R., & Kerrigan, S. (2018). Calculus I instructors’ desires to improve their teaching. In A. Weinberg, C. Rasmussen, J. Rabin, M. Wawro, and S. Brown (Eds.), Proceedings of the 21st Annual Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education, (pp. 1730–1731), San Diego, CA. link to proceedings
Rupnow, R. (2017). Students’ conceptions of mappings in abstract algebra. In A. Weinberg, C. Rasmussen, J. Rabin, M. Wawro, and S. Brown (Eds.), Proceedings of the 20th Annual Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education, (pp. 259–273), San Diego, CA. link to proceedings
Rupnow, R., & Ulrich, C. (2017). Mental constructions involved in differentiating a function to a function power. In (Eds.) A. Weinberg, C. Rasmussen, J. Rabin, M. Wawro, and S. Brown, Proceedings of the 20th Annual Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education, (pp. 1412–1417), San Diego, CA. link to proceedings
Stockero, S. L., Rupnow R. L., & Pascoe A. E. (2015). Noticing student mathematical thinking in the complexity of classroom instruction. In T. G. Bartell, K. N. Bieda, R. T. Putnam, K. Bradfield, & H. Dominguez (Eds.), Proceedings of the 37th annual meeting of the North American Chapter of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education, (pp. 820–827), Lansing, MI. link to proceedings
Non-Refereed Conference Proceedings
Rupnow, R. (2018). Influencing students’ beliefs about math. Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics Conference. Radford, VA. link to article
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Northern Illinois University
Introductory Discrete Mathematics, instructor of record, Fall 2022, Spring 2023
Theoretical Foundations of Mathematics Education, instructor of record, Spring 2022
Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education (topics course for graduate students), instructor of record, Fall 2021
The Learning and Teaching of Algebra, independent study leader, Spring 2021, Summer 2022
Methods of Instruction in the Mathematics Curriculum for Grades K-6, instructor of record, Fall 2020
Topics in Mathematics for Teachers (meant for future middle and high school teachers), instructor of record, Spring 2020
Linear Algebra, instructor of record, Fall 2019, Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Fall 2021, Spring 2022, Fall 2022, Spring 2023
Foundations of Elementary School Mathematics (meant for future Elementary teachers), instructor of record, Fall 2019
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Linear Algebra, instructor of record, Spring 2019
Numbers and Computing for Teachers (meant for future elementary teachers), instructor of record, Fall 2018
Pre-calculus, instructor of record, Summer 2018
Integral Calculus, instructor of record, Spring, Summer, and Fall 2017 and Spring 2018
Differential Calculus, instructor of record, Fall 2015, Fall 2016
The Integral (online), instructor of record, Spring 2016
Early Field Experience Course, teaching assistant, Spring 2016
Michigan Technological University
Differential Calculus, instructor of record, Spring 2013
Pre-calculus, instructor of record, Fall 2013, Spring 2014, and Summer 2014
PRESENTATIONS
Invited Talks
Rupnow, R. (2023, April). Sameness: A Thematic Concept in Mathematics. Invited featured talk for the X-DBER 2023 Conference, online.
Rupnow, R. (2022, March). Connections Across Contexts in Advanced Mathematics Classes. Invited presentation for the University of Kentucky Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Seminar, online.
International Conference Presentations
Rupnow, R., & Randazzo, B. (2021, November). Mathematicians’ Metaphors for Isomorphism and Homomorphism. Abstract presentation at Herenga Delta, online.
National Conference Presentations
Rupnow, R., & Feliciano, R. (2023, April). Students’ Use of Resources for Undergraduate Mathematics Coursework. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Chicago, IL.
Rupnow, R. & Hill, A. (2023, April). One Department, Many Hats: A Faculty-Level Intervention for Math Service Courses. Poster presented at the X-DBER 2023 Conference, online.
Rupnow, R., Uscanga, R., & Bergman, A. (2023, February). Variation in Students’ Thinking about Sameness and Comparisons to Mathematicians. Paper presented at the meeting of the Special Interest Group of the Mathematical Association of America on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education, Omaha, NE.
Rupnow, R., Remus, M., Scheuermann, N., & Bergan-Roller, H. (2023, February). Values, Methods, and Facts: How Do Math and Science Align and Differ from the Perspectives of Mathematicians and Biologists? Paper presented at the meeting of the Special Interest Group of the Mathematical Association of America on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education, Omaha, NE.
Mirin, A., & Rupnow, R. (2022, November). Which should come first: Isomorphism or homomorphism? Paper presented at the meeting of the North American Chapter of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education, Nashville, TN.
Rupnow, R., & Randazzo, B. (2022, November). Mathematicians’ language for isomorphism and homomorphism. Paper presented at the meeting of the North American Chapter of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education, Nashville, TN.
Rupnow, R., & Randazzo, B. (2022, February). Values and Norms of Mathematical Definitions. Paper presented at the meeting of the Special Interest Group of the Mathematical Association of America on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education, Boston, MA.
Mirin, A., & Rupnow, R. (2022, February). Isomorphism and Homomorphism in Abstract Algebra Textbooks. Paper presented at the meeting of the Special Interest Group of the Mathematical Association of America on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education, Boston, MA.
Rupnow, R., Uscanga, R., & Bergman, A. (2022, February). Connecting Sameness in Abstract Algebra: The Case of Isomorphism and Homomorphism. Paper presented at the meeting of the Special Interest Group of the Mathematical Association of America on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education, Boston, MA.
Rupnow, R., & Sassman, P. (2021, October). Isomorphism and homomorphism as types of sameness. Paper presented at the meeting of the North American Chapter of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education, online.
Rupnow, R. (2021, August). Examining Language across Contexts: Connecting Instruction and Problem-Solving. Abstract presentation at MAA MathFest, online.
Rupnow, R. (2021, June). Abstract Algebra Students’ Metaphor Use: Case Studies in Problem-Solving. Abstract presentation at the Conference on Academic Research in Education, online.
Rupnow, R. (2021, June). Linking a Mathematician’s Beliefs and Instruction: A Case Study. Paper presented at the meeting of the North American Chapter of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education, online.
Rupnow, R. (2021, March). Sameness: A Divisive Concept with Opportunities for Unification. Poster presented at the 2021 X-DBER Virtual Conference, online.
Rupnow, R., & Johnson, E. (2021, January). Algebraists’ Metaphors for Sameness: Philosophies, Variety, and Commonality. Abstract presented at the Joint Mathematics Meetings, online.
Fukawa-Connelly, T., Johnson, E., Hegg, M., Weber, K., & Rupnow, R. (2020, February). How Mathematicians Assign Homework Problems in Advanced Mathematics Courses. Paper presented at the meeting of the Special Interest Group of the Mathematical Association of America on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education, Boston, MA.
Rupnow, R. (2020, February). Varieties of Sameness: Instructors’ Descriptions for Themselves and Students. Paper presented at the meeting of the Special Interest Group of the Mathematical Association of America on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education, Boston, MA.
Rupnow, R. (2019, February). Instructors’ and Students’ Images of Isomorphism and Homomorphism. Paper presented at the meeting of the Special Interest Group of the Mathematical Association of America on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education, Oklahoma City, OK.
Rupnow, R. (2019, January). Abstract Algebra Students’ Use of Metaphors While Problem Solving. Abstract presented at the Joint Mathematics Meetings, Baltimore, MD.
Rupnow, R. L. (2018, November). Characterizing Abstract Algebra Students’ Epistemological Beliefs about Mathematics. Poster presented at the meeting of the North American Chapter of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education, Greenville, SC.
Rupnow, R. L. (2018, November). Online Communities of Practice to Support Inquiry-oriented Instruction (poster). Poster presented at the meeting of the North American Chapter of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education. Greenville, SC.
Rupnow, R. (2018, August). Exploring Expert and Novice Understandings of Isomorphism and Homomorphism in Abstract Algebra. Abstract presented at MathFest 2018, Denver, CO.
Rupnow, R., & Kerrigan, S. (2018, February). Modeling the Spread of Ideas in an Inquiry-Oriented Classroom. Paper presented at the meeting of the Special Interest Group of the Mathematical Association of America on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education, San Diego, CA.
Watson, K., Rupnow, R., & Kerrigan, S. (2018, February). Calculus I Instructors’ Desires to Improve Their Teaching (poster). Poster presented at the meeting of the Special Interest Group of the Mathematical Association of America on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education, San Diego, CA.
Rupnow, R., LaCroix, T., & Mullins, B. (2018, February). Building lasting relationships: Inquiry-oriented instructional measure practices. Paper presented at the meeting of the Special Interest Group of the Mathematical Association of America on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education, San Diego, CA.
Kuster, G., Rupnow, R., Johnson, E., & Wilhelm, A. G. (2018, February). Development of the inquiry-oriented instructional measure. Paper presented at the meeting of the Special Interest Group of the Mathematical Association of America on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education, San Diego, CA.
Rupnow, R. (2018, January). A Refinement of a Genetic Decomposition for Differentiating a Function to a Function Power. Abstract presented at the Joint Mathematics Meetings, San Diego, CA.
Rupnow, R. (2017, February). Students’ conceptions of mappings in abstract algebra. Paper presented at the meeting of the Special Interest Group of the Mathematical Association of America on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education, San Diego, CA.
Rupnow, R., & Ulrich, C. (2017, February). Mental constructions involved in differentiating a function to a function power. Paper presented at the meeting of the Special Interest Group of the Mathematical Association of America on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education, San Diego, CA.
Stockero, S. L., Rupnow R. L., & Pascoe A. E. (2015, November). Noticing Student Mathematical Thinking in the Complexity of Classroom Instruction. Paper presented at the meeting of the North American Chapter of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education, Lansing, MI.
Local Academic Presentations
Rupnow, R. (2023, March). Same Up to What? Reflections on Ways Sameness Permeates Mathematics. Abstract presented at the Illinois Section of the Mathematical Association of America, Glen Ellyn, IL.
Rupnow, R. (2022, October). Applications of Math in Other Disciplines: What Do Faculty Know? Abstract presented at the Northeastern Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education Conference, online.
Rupnow, R. (2021, November). Sameness Across the Curriculum. Abstract presented at the Northeastern Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education Conference, online.
Rupnow, R. (2021, March). Structure Preservation: What Are We Talking About? Abstract presented at the Illinois Section of the Mathematical Association of America, online.
Rupnow, R., Randazzo, B., & Johnson, E. (2020, October). Sameness in Mathematics: Is it “The Same” for Algebraists? Abstract presented at the Northeastern Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education Conference, online.
Rupnow, R. (2020, March). Language for Mathematical Concepts: Does Context Matter? Accepted abstract presentation at the Illinois Section of the Mathematical Association of America, Joliet, IL. (Conference canceled)
Rupnow, R. (2018, October). Similarities and Differences in Language for Isomorphism and Homomorphism. Abstract presented at the Northeastern Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education Conference, New Brunswick, NJ.
Rupnow, R. (2018, September). Examining Connections among Instruction, Conceptual Metaphors, and Beliefs of Instructors and Students. Poster session presented at the Women’s Intellectual Network Research Symposium, Charlottesville, VA.
Rupnow, R. (2018, March). Graduate Teaching Assistants’ Perceptions of Motivation: An Examination of Reflective Practice. Flash talk presented at the Graduate Student Assembly Research Symposium, Blacksburg, VA. Received first place award by symposium leadership.
Rupnow, R. (2018, March). Influencing Students’ Beliefs About Math. Paper presented at the meeting of the Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Radford, VA.
Davis, K., Johnson, R., Kirchner, L., Rupnow, R., Sharma, J., & Talukdar, S. (2017, February). Transformative Change through Service Learning. Poster session presented at the Conference on Higher Education Pedagogy, Blacksburg, VA.
Rupnow, R. & Ulrich, C. (2016, March). Mental Constructions Formed in Finding the Derivative of a Function to a Function Power. Poster session presented at the Graduate Student Assembly Research Symposium, Blacksburg, VA.
Rupnow, R. (2014, October). Distance Magic Graphs. Paper presented at the Mathematical Association of America Upper Peninsula Regional Conference, Marquette, MI.
Non-presenting Author on Presentation
Bergan-Roller, H. E., Rupnow, R. L., & Samonds, K. E. (2021, July). Evaluating an Intervention to Mitigate Gender Bias in Student Evaluations of Teaching in a Biology Department. Poster presented at the meeting of the Society for the Advancement of Biology Education Research, online.
FUNDING
Funded Research Grants
Rupnow, R. (PI). Connecting Math with STEM via Focus Groups: Applications of Math in Other Disciplines. Northern Illinois University, Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Language and Literacy Proposal or Pilot Grant, 2023. (Award: $4,040)
Rupnow, R. (PI). Sameness Across Algebra. Northern Illinois University, Research and Artistry Opportunity Grant, 2020-2021. (Award: $13,675)
Travel Grants
Travel grant for 2022 NSF & SACNAS Grant Writing and Peer Review Workshop in Los Angeles, CA, flight and hotel
Travel grant for 2019 Society for Advancement of Chicano/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) Conference in Honolulu, HI, flight, hotel, and partial conference registration
Travel grant for 2019 Joint Mathematics Meetings in Baltimore, MD, $500.
Rachel Rupnow 