Mathletes Staff

Tanya Huffman, M.A., Mathematics Department

Mrs. Huffman has taught undergraduate level mathematics since 2005. She has developed inquiry-based curriculum materials for introductory statistics and calculus courses and facilitated workshops on developing Process-Oriented Guided-Inquiry Learning (POGIL) activities. She coordinates business calculus courses and mentors new faculty. Her classes utilize active learning and technology enhancement - clickers, mobile devices and team-based learning with game play (Math Jeopardy). She is a member of the organizing committee for the undergraduate mathematics conference. She writes High School tests for the FGCU annual mathematics competition and FGCU STEM competition. She is a member of the judging panel for the middle school science fair. She is a faculty member of the FGCU Honors Program, Teaching, Learning, and Assessment Initiative and Whitaker Center for STEM Education. She is a senior faculty personnel for the STEM Professional Academy for Reinvigorating the Culture of Teaching (SPARCT) program.

Cijy Sunny, MS³ PhD, Assistant Professor, Departments of Mathematics and Computing/Software Engineering

Dr. Cijy Elizabeth Sunny is a quantitative and mixed-methods research methodologist, psychometrician, and STEM educator with international experience teaching at graduate and undergraduate levels across physics, statistics, engineering design, data science, and programming. Her research develops and applies advanced psychometric frameworks to assess affective-domain and non-cognitive skills across STEM, engineering, medical, and social-sciences. She serves the STEM community as a reviewer for the National Science Foundation, editorial board member of the Journal of Engineering Education, and is an active contributor to professional engineering organizations. She has also designed curricula, coached Science Olympiad teams, and mentored K–12 teachers using evidence-based practices. As one of the Co-Directors of Mathletes, Dr. Sunny collaborates with fellow co-directors to advance student success, foster problem-solving and analytical thinking, and expand experiential learning opportunities, empowering emerging STEMM learners in Southwest Florida to explore, engage, and build successful careers while contributing to a thriving regional pipeline of future innovators and leaders.

Margaret Hood, M.S.
Instructor I, Biology

Mason Huffman
Student at Florida Gulf Coast University, Solar Minituare Car Competiton Activity Leader

Mason was raised in Southwest Florida and has been actively volunteering for several years at FGCU Mathletes Circle, Whitaker Center Outreach events, and the Immokalee Foundation Summer Camp. He has collaborated with FGCU mathematics professors on research, analyzing the sources of gravitational waves and the mathematics behind piano tuning. He has been presenting his research at undergraduate and graduate conferences, including the FGCU Aspire Conference and the national Joint Mathematics Meetings.

Kayla Kerr
Undergraduate Student at Florida Gulf Coast University. Department of Computer Science and Engineering

Kayla is an international student from Jamaica studying Software Engineering at Florida Gulf Coast University. In addition to academics, she works as a Student User Services Support Associate at the FGCU IT Help Desk, assisting students and faculty with technology-related issues. Passionate about problem-solving and software development, she enjoys exploring new technologies and expanding her skills in computing.

Ethan Hoy
Undergraduate student at FGCU double majoring in Environmental Geology and Environmental Studies. Ethan grew up in Tampa. He is currently working as a Statistical Method coach with at FGCU. In free time he enjoys being outside, going to the beach, and gaming.

Tanya Huffman, MA.

Cijy Sunny, MS³ PhD,

Assistant Professor

Departments of Mathematics and Computing/Software Engineering

Chuck Lindsey, Ph.D.