Math homework swiftly jostles from a student’s hand, creating a gentle waterfall of numbers that splash across the pavement. Without missing a beat, there’s a flurry of helpful students scrambling to the scene to pick up the papers. This moment embodies the core of Math Corp — a program that serves students from underserved communities by balancing educational and empowerment opportunities — that encourages a supportive and caring environment.

“This camp lets students branch out and know that they’re loved,” says Executive Director of the OU Math Corps Anna Maria Spagnuolo, Ph.D. “They don’t need to worry about their math ability — we’ll get to that too — but first we love and care for them, setting them up to succeed.” 

With the Oakland University branch established in 2020, Math Corps is a national organization that offers math tutoring for young students while also building skills and confidence in math. The OU Math Corps focuses on students in the Pontiac area, but surrounding areas are often invited if space allows. The program runs from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays in the summer for 4-6 weeks, and tuition is completely free to those interested. 

Math Corps students walk to classes in OU's Math and Science Center.

Adding Up Each Day 

OU Math Corps students traditionally range from 7th to 12th grade, but through its unique chain of support, the program’s impact has proven to be ageless. Each 7th to 9th grader student is assigned a mentor for the month from their pool of 10th, 11th and 12th grade students, who are hired as teaching assistants and serve as role models. Additionally, students are taught by collegiate student instructors and OU’s expert math faculty. 

OU doctoral applied mathematics student Josh DeCoste (right) mentors Math Corps students.

Each day begins with an assembly to celebrate the students' accomplishments, ranging from an A on math homework to kind actions beyond academics, like picking up after others in camp. “Our focus is putting kindness in the world, and math is just coming along with it,” says OU Math Corps Program Coordinator Nicole Baker. Next, students separate into math classrooms, divided by grade level, where two teams each consisting of ten middle school or bridge students are supported by an OU faculty, a college instructor and five high school teaching assistants. 

Surrounding students with support is an emblem of Math Corps — maintaining a balanced teaching ratio to students that ensures engagement. “One of the kids from last year had an amazing moment when things were just clicking,” Dr. Spagnuolo says. “He explained, ‘At my school, it’s so chaotic, and I feel like I can never learn anything. I know I’m behind, but I also know I’m capable of learning here.’”

Similarly, ‘team time’ follows classroom time, where students can discuss their homework with their teaching assistant mentors or any of the instructors. With a break for lunch, teaching assistants also receive dedicated time with OU faculty by taking two math classes of their own:  one at their level and one advanced course with university math concepts involved, weaving together mentor opportunities and college math preparation. 

Each day winds down with fun, mostly math-focused games, such as chess, mancala, biology, gardening, origami, math mystery stories to solve, and English and language arts. The subject is merely a mode to increase comfort and confidence moment by moment.  

Everyone in the Equation 

Math Corps directly connects with budding and established mathematicians from 7th grade to high school, college and professorial levels. Even so, the program often ripples further than its initial audiences. 

Some flourishing students have experienced multiple roles in the program, beginning as a 7th grader needing a boost and eventually testing to become a teaching assistant that offers help to others. “It’s a lifelong program,” Spagnuolo says. “It’s not a one-year, two-year or even high school program, and then you’re done. There’s a role for everyone who wants to participate, and we’ll have some mentors for the rest of their lives as long as they want to be here.” 

In the same vein, some students feel inspired to consider math-related careers after experiencing Math Corps. While 7th grade is still a far shout from confirming a career, the buzz of growing up begins, and confidence is key. “Sometimes students will come in reserved, but a breakthrough can happen,” Spagnuolo says. “After that, they can really feel comfortable to be themselves.” 

A young girl came into the program with her head down and an aura of resistance along with it. Regardless of a student’s starting point, academically or otherwise, each member of the program approaches everyone with the same patience and positivity because “all kids are good kids,” Spagnuolo says. After a few days, the same young girl began showing up with a smile and a new, optimistic sense of self, and she thrived in camp. 

The Math Corps program invites students to explore not just curriculum, but also their character. This combination sparks compassion, confidence in the subject and sometimes an instance where both attributes connect. Another young girl brought her lessons home, encouraging her grandmother, who is also her primary caretaker, to study with her and pursue finishing her education too.  

“There’s a different, powerful dynamic here,” Baker says. 

Exponential Growth 

OU student Bianca Gojcaj (center), elementary education major, works with middle and high school students.

In the initial sparks of the program, Oakland University President Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, M.D., noticed similar student stories coming from a neighboring institution, and she pushed for OU to nurture the same impact. From that impression, OU Math Corps emerged. 

In the past five years, the program has grown from a virtual launch during the pandemic to a thriving, in-person, month-long camp. In its next chapter, Baker and Spagnuolo hope to expand the length of the camp. Past advancements and planning for the future are only made possible with full support from OU’s community, on campus and surrounding areas. 

OU Math Corps is constructed by math students, instructors, mentors and faculty to support an emerging generation in the surrounding community. The tuition-free program is entirely supported by donations; hence, even without a math-centered role in Math Corps, anyone has the opportunity to contribute. Supporters have included the Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan, PNC Foundation and the Oakland University Credit Union. 

Whether there’s an interest in math or simply community connection, you can learn more or donate to support the next year of OU Math Corps. 

“The first phrase we heard in training was, ‘Welcome to Math Corps; this is not about math,” Spagnuolo says. “And it’s really not. We do eventually get to the math, but that’s not what’s essential.”  

“It is where students have a safe place to show radical kindness, be encouraged to find their greatness, and connect with mentors,” adds Baker.

“Math Corps isn’t just a camp, it’s a family where kindness is the foundation and growth is the goal. Every day, students and staff uplift each other, learn together and become stronger, both in math and in life.”

Dean of OU’s Math Corps LaTonia Ge

Robert Hall