Dr. Mike Janssen

Dr. Mike Janssen serves as professor of mathematics at Dordt University.

“I love sharing the beauty and joy of exploring God’s mathematical creation with students,” says Dr. Janssen. “This happens through undergraduate research and courses, which allow us to inquire together about mathematics.”

Within the field of mathematics, his research interests focus on commutative algebra and its interactions with algebraic geometry and graph theory. Specifically, he is interested in games on graphs in an undergraduate research context. Related to undergraduate mathematics education, Dr. Janssen’s expertise is in alternative assessment, inquiry-based learning, and open education resources (OER).

He has written two OERs:

• Rings with Inquiry
• Explorations in Modern Mathematics

Dr. Janssen has also published papers with students, including:

• “Comparing Powers of Edge Ideals”
• “A Computations Approach to the Game of Cycles”

Chair of the mathematics and statistics department, Dr. Janssen regularly mentors undergraduate research in mathematics. He also serves on Dordt’s academic senate. He has received several awards, including the Award for Distinguished College or University Teaching, Iowa Section of the Mathematical Association of America. He currently serves as the executive secretary of the Association for Christians in the Mathematical Sciences.

“God has given us a rich, beautiful creation in which to live, work, and play,” adds Dr. Janssen. “Every choice I make when I teach is made with this belief in mind. I want students to experience the joy of mathematical play and stand in awe of many surprising ways even abstract mathematics can be used to promote the flourishing of all.”

Outside of work, Dr. Janssen enjoys distance running and playing board games with family and friends.

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