2026 Susan Gay Travel Scholarship Recipient
James O. Asare
Biography
James O. Asare is a dedicated educator, researcher, and lifelong learner pursuing a doctorate in Mathematics and Science Education at Washington State University (WSU), with a focus on mathematics education and a cognate in special education. As an international scholar from Ghana, James’s research centers on how cultural backgrounds influence the professional practices and social networks of international graduate mathematics teaching assistants, a subject deeply connected to his own academic journey.
Currently, James teaches at Eastern Washington University, where he mentors pre-service teachers in developing strong pedagogical foundations and a commitment to equitable mathematics instruction. Prior to this role, he served for four years as a graduate research associate on an NSF-funded Noyce grant at WSU, aimed at recruiting and retaining diverse mathematics educators by linking teacher preparation to real-world contexts.
James is an active contributor to teacher development initiatives through WSU’s Noyce research group, engaging in projects that promote asset-based perspectives on teacher identity and humanize mathematics education for underserved communities. As a 2025 NYU Steinhardt Faculty First-Look Fellow, he brings an interdisciplinary lens to his work, with research interests spanning from the gerrymandering of school districts to culturally responsive mathematics instruction.
His leadership and service have been recognized with honors such as the Chancellor’s Distinguished Leader Award and the Martin Luther King Jr. Service Award for Education and Inclusion. James holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics from WSU, an MPhil in Pure Mathematics, and a B.S. in Mathematics from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. With years of experience teaching mathematics at both high school and college levels, he is known for his ability to connect with students from diverse backgrounds. Beyond academia, James is a passionate poet, weaving creativity and reflection into his work as an educator.