Jessica Sadler received a 2026 Dean's Outstanding Employee Award from the University of Maryland’s College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences. The winners of this award are recognized for their dedication to the well-being and operation of the college and its administrative units. The winner exemplifies strong capability, commitment and service to the college and the university community.

Sadler shared her experiences and insights as program manager for the Applied Mathematics & Statistics, and Scientific Computation (AMSC) graduate program.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

How and when did you end up at the University of Maryland?

I started my career as an English teacher. I taught English literature and English as a second language in Baltimore, Thailand and Japan. After completing a two-year contract at Tokyo International University, I returned to the U.S. in 2016 with the goal of transitioning into a more administrative and community-building role in academia. I wanted to support students behind the scenes in their academic journeys instead of in front of the classroom. I am grateful that my role in the AMSC Program allowed me to make this change. 

What is your favorite thing about working in your department?

There are so many things I love about working in the Department of Mathematics, but my favorite is working with our graduate students. They are creative, kind and altruistic. Whether it’s recruiting or onboarding new students, current students are always eager to volunteer their time and energy to help. I also enjoy working with the AMSC team: Director Radu Balan, Graduate Assistant Claudia Cerna and undergraduate employee Brent Li. Together, we’ve created a welcoming and productive environment in our Kirwan Hall 3rd-floor suite. 

Did you always think you’d work in academia?

Initially, I envisioned myself as a teacher, but not necessarily in academia. My perspective shifted when I served as a graduate assistant in the student affairs division at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. That experience revealed my passion for supporting students outside the classroom and contributing to their academic success and well-being. 

What are your key responsibilities in your role?

My key responsibilities include managing the AMSC Program’s advising, admissions and recruitment processes, as well as assisting students with reaching degree milestones. I also plan and host events such as the Math Department’s annual Halloween Party. Additionally, I lead our department’s career and professional development programming, including a semesterly newsletter, The Calculated Career, to help students prepare for life after graduation.

What does your day-to-day look like in your job?

My day-to-day is a mix of multitasking and handling various responsibilities, often punctuated by student walk-ins. Academic offices operate in seasonal cycles. During the summer, I focus on onboarding new students and planning for the annual Math Department Orientation in August. The fall semester involves assisting with course registration, facilitating AMSC Graduate Committee meetings and preparing for admissions season. In the spring, the admissions committee reviews applications and we recruit new students. Throughout the year, I ensure that current students receive clear communication and support, and that they have a sense of community, so they can focus on their academics without being overwhelmed by administrative processes.

What do you like most about your job?

I enjoy the freedom to be creative. I have the opportunity to brainstorm and implement new ways to support students and foster community. For example, during COVID-19, I organized a Math Department mascot competition, inviting our community to nominate their pets as department mascots. This initiative brought a sense of fun and connection during a challenging time. Additionally, I launched a sticky note project in the women’s bathrooms in Kirwan Hall, where women can leave anonymous notes encouraging one another.

What did being selected for the CMNS Dean’s Staff award mean to you?

Being selected for the CMNS Dean’s Staff Award is an honor that means so much to me. It’s a recognition of the effort and dedication I’ve poured into my work. This award inspires me to continue striving for excellence and finding innovative ways to enhance the academic experience for everyone in the AMSC Program and the Department of Mathematics. I’m deeply grateful to be part of a community that values and celebrates the contributions of its members.

What motivates you to do your job well?

I am motivated by the belief that graduate students in my program and department deserve the best possible experience during their academic careers. By reducing administrative hurdles and offering consistent support, I want to ensure students’ time at UMD is as smooth and rewarding as possible so they can focus primarily on their academics and personal growth without being overwhelmed by the complexities of navigating a large university with its own zip code!

What is your favorite UMD memory?

Some of my favorite memories at UMD are the lunches with the AMSC team at nearby restaurants each semester. These gatherings allow us to connect and get to know one another outside of work. On sunny days, we sit outside on the patio at places like Looney’s. Seeing everyone’s smiling faces is always a highlight for me.

What do you like to do outside work?

I enjoy exploring my creative side through writing short stories, novels and screenplays, as well as drawing. Staying active is also important to me. I weightlift and jog at nearby parks nearly every day, especially when it’s warm. When I go out, I love attending live jazz performances and visiting art museums. 

The applied math specialty ranks at No. 15 and analysis ranks at No. 24, based on the most recent rankings by U.S. News & World Report.

The University of Maryland’s Department of Mathematics ranks No. 21 (7th among pubic institutions) in the 2027 Best Graduate Schools list released by U.S. News & World Report. Based on the most recent specialty rankings, applied math ranks at No. 15 and analysis ranks at No. 24. 

“I’m very pleased to see CMNS graduate programs continue to be recognized among the nation’s very best,” said Amitabh Varshney, dean of the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences (CMNS). “This recognition reflects the outstanding work and dedication of our department chairs, graduate program directors, faculty members and students who strive for excellence every day.”

The U.S. News rankings are based on reputational surveys and widely used by prospective students when considering where to apply.

“These latest graduate school rankings show the University of Maryland’s strength across a wide variety of scholarly domains and specialties, from the physical and social sciences to business and education,” said UMD President Darryll J. Pines. “We’re proud that our graduate programs are providing students with the vital knowledge and inspiration to address the most important challenges facing the world today.”

Read more about the members of our community who have been honored recently for their outstanding contributions to the university and the field of mathematics.

Faculty

Larry Washington - Kirwan Undergraduate Award

Dan Cristofaro - Gardiner for winner the 2025 Brin Prize in Dynamical Systems

Dan Cristofaro - Gardiner invited speaker to Princeton University to deliver the 2027 Minerva 

Haizhao Yang - International Congress of Basic Science (ICBS) as a recipient of the 2026 Frontiers of Science Award.

Haizhao Yang, Mathematics Thelma M. Williams Advisor of the Year Award

Henri Berestycki for winning the 2026 Schauder Medal

Student

NSF Graduate Student Fellowship

• Erin Hopper (undergraduate student), Algebra, Number Theory, & Combinatorics
• Hannah Cairo, Analysis
• Yujing (Jen) Tang, Geometric Analysis
• Owen Deen, Applied Mathematics
• Darsh Gandhi, Mathematical Biology

Jenna Strauch - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Hollings Scholar: AOSC, Mathematics):

The winning entries for the 2026 Seymour Goldberg & Monroe Martin Spotlight talk:

• Abdullah Ahmed: Johnson Lindenstrauss Lemma and LLMs
• Ben Goldschlager: Introduction to the Calculus of Variations
• Lorenzo Valerio: Every Loop Hides a Rectangle
• Noah Waldman: A Game Theoretic Proof of Brouwer's Fixed Point Theorem 

Staff

Jessica Sadler - Dean’s Outstanding Employee Awards