Who would have expected that a summer in Ohio could change your life?
When Bill Speer went to Ohio for the National Science Foundation summer program in 1973, he had no idea his life was about to change. If it weren’t for that experience, he would have retired 20 years ago as a career high school mathematics teacher.
He also wouldn’t have crossed paths with James Hedden, the Kent State professor who was seeking students for a fully-funded doctoral degree in math education. They wouldn’t have founded the Research Council on Math Learning (RCML) 53 years ago. He wouldn’t have gone on to become an emeritus professor at Bowling Green State University for nearly 25 years. And he would have certainly missed out on a 27-year run at UNLV as the interim dean of the College of Education and the director of the UNLV Math Learning Center, before retiring in 2022.
Most of all, the William R. and Marjorie A. Speer Graduate Fellowship wouldn’t exist.
Providing a Springboard for Students
William Speer’s vision for sponsoring the fellowship is simple.
“If I want to promote what I have valued my entire life, I want to do it through scholarships like this,” he shared.
For Bill, it has always been about mathematics. Fascinated by rational thinking that solves problems and uncovers mysteries, he switched his undergraduate major from accounting to mathematics. He eventually earned graduate degrees in mathematics and math education, which launched him on a decades-long journey in academia at the Colleges of Science and Education at Bowling Green State and UNLV.
To honor the beautiful connection between the two colleges and the life of the high school sweetheart who stood with him through it all, he decided to set up the William R. and Marjorie A. Speer Graduate Fellowship award.
Through this award, the UNLV College of Education awards two graduate students pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree, focusing on mathematics education, with one-year fellowships each year. Likewise, two graduate students in the College of Science’s department of Mathematical Sciences receive the same.
“Having a fellowship allows you to go through a doorway that may be difficult for you otherwise,” William added.
He hopes the Speer Fellowship award can do the same for students, just as someone provided him with rich opportunities through the random yet life-changing, fully-funded Ph.D. offer he got at the summer program in Ohio.
And it is.
A Kick of Motivation
Last summer, Amy Mathis-Leonard and Sinead Pelleschi received emails notifying them that they had been selected for the maiden cycle of the Speer Fellowship award for the 2024-2025 academic year.
“The fellowship provided me with essential financial support and the opportunity to present at the RCML Conference in Texas,” Sinead shared.
For Amy, a Gateway Math Placement coordinator, it was more than financial relief.
“It came at a time when I was deep in the stress of researching and writing my dissertation proposal,” says Amy. “It gave me a kick of motivation that reminded me of my passion for mathematics education.”
In that time, Amy completed the required coursework for her doctoral program, passed her qualifying exam, and submitted her dissertation proposal. She hopes to complete her dissertation in Spring 2026 and earn a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, specializing in mathematics education.
Access for all
When third-year Ph.D. Curriculum and Instruction student and part-time UNLV instructor, Gabriela Zuniga, received her award notification for this academic year, and she felt seen.
“Initiatives like this fellowship allow diverse students to be heard and thrive within academia, further enriching the academic field with their voices and experiences.”
Gabriela began her doctoral journey in the college’s Cultural Studies, International Education, and Multicultural Education program, which rooted her academic and professional career in equity-centered mathematics education.
“I hope to pay this forward by providing guidance, access, support, and opportunities for diverse students.”
The Gift of Time
Leonardo Martinez, the second recipient of this year’s fellowship, wears many hats. In addition to his doctoral program, he teaches at Will Beckley Elementary, a Title I school, while juggling a side gig with Uber and parenthood.
“Time is incredibly scarce for me as a single parent trying to make ends meet. This award alleviates my financial burden and allows me to be more present as a parent and an educator.”
Leonardo plans to follow up his doctoral program with a postdoctoral fellowship to continue his research on game-based learning and its impact on student engagement and math fluency.
When Recognition Opens Doors
The Speer Graduate Fellowship award is more than financial aid. For these scholars, it has proven to be a turning point that has helped them realign and reaffirm their commitment to advancing their careers and changing the world around them. This is the real impact of recognizing and investing in students committed to a demanding and challenging academic subject.
None of these students met Bill during his time at UNLV. Still, the ripple of his legacy and this award carries forward by helping them and future recipients succeed in and shape the future of math education.
by Sakinah Musa