Jason Howell sits at his desk in his office and talks to a student.

Jason Howell Earns Ashkin Award

By Kirsten Heuring Email Kirsten Heuring

Heidi Opdyke

A good math professor changed Jason Howell's life.

Now, as a teaching professor in Carnegie Mellon University's Department of Mathematical Sciences, Howell aims to do the same for his students.

"During my undergraduate education, I had some intense struggles with calculus II. I had to take it four separate times," Howell said. "What really made the difference is I had an amazing teacher the fourth time I took it. He gave me confidence, and he really endeared the subject to me. It changed the trajectory of my life, so I want to do the same thing for others."

Howell teaches a range of classes in the Department of Mathematical Sciences from introductory courses for first- and second-year students, like linear algebra and calculus I and II, to higher-level computational mathematics classes which he helped establish, like numerical methods and numerical linear algebra. No matter what class he teaches, Howell has the same aim.

"My goal is to help students understand the complexity and importance of mathematical concepts and how they can be applied," Howell said. "Part of that is because of how much impact my own mathematical experiences have had on my life and perspectives."

Howell often teaches large introductory classes, and he encourages all his students to attend office hours, so he can help each of them understand the course material. They typically do; his small office in Wean Hall is often full.

"I really enjoy watching the students learn," Howell said. I try to help guide the student, but the student needs to make their own personal discovery of the ideas and connect the concepts together. My favorite moments are when I see this happen right in front of me."

His colleagues have noticed his dedication, including Prasad Tetali, Alexander M. Knaster Professor and Head of the Department of Mathematical Sciences.

"He has established a reputation for dedicating his utmost energy to serving students with vastly different levels of preparation and coaching them how to navigate college life, on top of effectively instructing them on foundational, rigorous mathematics," Tetali said.

Howell also helps undergraduate students with research. From 2020-2023, Howell offered summer undergraduate research experiences funded by the National Science Foundation for students from Carnegie Mellon and other universities. Students got hands on experience investigating computational mathematics, Howell's research area. In 2024, Howell and a colleague from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County developed a weeklong immersive course in computational methods for differential equations for undergraduate students.

For his work, Howell earned the Julius Ashkin Teaching Award, which was presented on May 5 at the Mellon College of Science Annual Meeting. The award recognizes unusual devotion and effectiveness in teaching undergraduate students in the Mellon College of Science.

"Howell's contributions to the educational mission of the department and CMU are simply immeasurable," Tetali said. "Through his inspired and compassionate teaching, advising and service, Jason Howell has impacted a generation of students and served as a model for his colleagues."

Howell said that he was proud of this recognition from his students and his colleagues.

"We have so many excellent faculty in our department, and to be considered as one of them is just an incredible personal honor," Howell said. "I'm incredibly grateful for the support that department faculty and staff provide."  But his biggest source of support, Howell insists, is his wife Dawn. "She is the foundation upon which my career has been built and is an incredibly important source of support for me. I would not be able to do what I do without her."