Our aim is to educate,

empower and create

new frontiers by building

on the undaunted spirit

of women in the

mathematical sciences

What is it?

The Infinite Possibilities Conference (IPC) is a national conference that is designed to promote, educate, encourage and support minority women interested in mathematics and statistics. This year in November Building Diversity in Science (BDIS), North Carolina State University (NCSU), and The Statistical and Applied Mathematical Sciences Institute (SAMSI) will proudly host the 2007 Infinite Possibilities Conference, which will take place on the campus of NCSU in Raleigh, North Carolina. This unique and special event will assemble women mathematicians from underrepresented minority groups from all over the country for a 2-day mathematics conference on November 2-3, 2007.

Why is it important?

African-American, Hispanic/Latina, and American Indian women have been historically underrepresented in mathematics.  In 2002, less than 1% of the doctoral degrees in the mathematical sciences were awarded to American women from underrepresented minority groups. Even professionals who have succeeded in completing advanced degree programs in science and engineering fields can face inequities within their professional lives with respect to advancement and salaries. What is being envisioned through this conference is that in order to increase and support diversity in the mathematics community, a paradigm shift needs to occur in the way we think about the image of a mathematician and about the role a mathematician plays in society. Although some workshops and conferences have been created to address race/ethnicity or gender in the context of mathematics, no conference or program has been specially designed to address both. 

What kind of activities will be at the IPC event?

The conference expects to host 250 participants, comprised of professionals and high school, undergraduate and graduate students, from the various fields of mathematics. Highlights of conference activities include: Professional development workshop series; Panel discussion on graduate studies in mathematics; Research talks given by professionals; Student poster sessions, special activities for high school students; Roundtable discussions on experiences with mathematics; Awards banquet in honor of the late Dr. Etta Z. Falconer that will highlight special achievements in mathematics.

How was IPC 2005?

In 2005, the first ever Infinite Possibilities Conference (IPC) was a huge success. Nearly 150 women, students and professionals, arrived from all over the country to Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia to participate in a unique two-day conference experience. Highlights of the conference included research talks, discussion groups on experiences in mathematics, invited lectures given by Dr. Evelyn Boyd Granville (the second African American woman to receive a PhD in mathematics), Dr. Fern Hunt and Dr. Cleopatria Martinez, a banquet honoring Dr. Etta Falconer, and panel discussion on topics such as mentoring and balancing career and family.

Read quotes from past IPC participants

Click here to view the 2005 IPC proceedings.

Meet the IPC 2007 Steering Committee