LEMONT FURNACE, Pa. — Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus is honoring Nicole Hill and Kevin Maxwell, both associate teaching professors of mathematics, for their 25-year tenures at the University. Lindsey Simon-Jones, interim chancellor of Penn State Fayette, recently presented each professor with a Boston Captain’s Chair, decorated with the University’s seal.

Kevin Maxwell, associate teaching professor of mathematics

Maxwell began teaching at the Fayette campus in 1999. Throughout the years, he has chaired and participated in numerous committees, coordinated programs like the Fayette Summer Bridge Math Program and the PaSSS Program, created the TEACH Group to benefit Fayette’s Faculty Learning Community, and mentored both faculty and students. His contributions extend across Penn State, where he has served as a University Faculty Senator, shaped curriculum development, and supported faculty advancement through peer reviews and consultation.

He has received Penn State Fayette’s Teaching Excellence Award (2004, 2010), the Ellen Laun Advising Excellence Award (2010), the Fayette County Educator of the Year Award (2010), and Penn State Fayette’s Faculty Excellence Award for Service (2017). In 2023, he served as Penn State Fayette’s commencement marshal.

In addition to his service on campus, Maxwell has been involved with the Mathematical Association of America since 1998, advancing society’s understanding of how math impacts daily life; and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics since 1998, advocating for high-quality mathematics opportunities students. 

“The most rewarding part of my 25 years of teaching at Penn State Fayette is witnessing the students’ successes,” Maxwell said. “I love being in the classroom, and watching students work hard and succeed brings me a lot of happiness. The campus has seen many changes over the years, including adding and enhancing many areas of study, and making physical changes. The one constant is that I have been lucky enough to work with amazing faculty and staff for my entire career at the Fayette campus."

Nicole Hill, associate teaching professor of mathematics

Hill began teaching at the Fayette campus in 1999. Throughout the years, she has managed adjunct hiring, course scheduling, program coordination, compliance, and student concerns. As program coordinator for the College of Education, she ensures education majors meet requirements and aligns the campus with Pennsylvania education standards. Hill also served as First-Year Seminar coordinator, developing course content and resources for new students, and directed a Science Forensics Program to enhance academic performance through hands-on learning. Just recently, Hill enrolled part-time at Penn State Fayette in pursuit of a degree in Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology.

She has received Penn State Fayette’s Faculty Excellence Award (2005, 2015), and Penn State’s WISE Award (2010).

In addition to her service on campus, Hill has been involved with the American Society for Engineering Education since 2009, promoting excellence in engineering education; the Mathematical Association of America since 2008, advancing society’s understanding of how math impacts daily life; the Pennsylvanian Association of Developmental Educators since 2008, addressing the needs of postsecondary educators; the National Council of Teachers since 1999, supporting the pursuit of equitable learning opportunities; and the Association for Women in Mathematics since 1999, promoting the advancement of women in mathematical sciences.

“Trying to wrap up 25 years in a sentence or two is not easy,” Hill said. “I have been lucky to do what I love, and I look forward to the semesters ahead. Penn State Fayette has provided me with a career that I cherish, life-long friendships, and connected me with the person who I will spend my life with.”

Collaborative presentations, events, and conferences

Drawn together by a likeminded passion for mathematics and student success, Hill and Maxwell have worked on much over two decades together.

For 20 years, they collaborated with emeritus professor of engineering Dave Meredith to design and administer the Pi Day Exam, an annual math festival in which local ninth- and 10th-grade students competed for pie.

Hill and Maxwell have also co-presented on topics including advising strategies, the C3 Project for K–8 teacher development, and partnerships between post-secondary and elementary education. Their presentations have been featured at state and national conferences, such as Mathfest and the Pennsylvania Council of Teachers of Mathematics Annual Conference.

Their work on the “C3 Project: Content, Connections, and Collaboration” secured $1.4 million in grant funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Office of Federal Programs. Awarded in 2013, the grant supported their work as core faculty through June 2016.

“Nicole and Kevin embody all the best qualities of excellent colleagues, instructors and scholars,” Simon-Jones said. “They have racked up an impressive array of campus awards for their dedication to our students and community. Kevin’s attention to the joys of teaching innovation has captured the hearts of a generation of Fayette students. Nicole’s work ethic and masterful balancing of administrative problem solving with attentive advising is unmatched. Her work keeps the campus running. I am so grateful.”