Meet the Math Faculty
Leyla Batakci, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Mathematics
batakcil@etown.edu | 717-361-1335
Dr. Batakci holds a B.A. from Ege University (Turkey), an M.A. in Statistics from Lehigh University, and a Ph.D. in Mathematics from Lehigh University. Her research interests include algebraic topology, statistics and statistics education.
Bogdan Doytchinov, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Mathematical Sciences
Actuarial Science Program Director
doytchinovb@etown.edu | 717-361-1224
Dr. Doytchinov holds a B.S. and M.S. from Moscow State University (Russia), and a Ph.D. in Mathematics from Carnegie Mellon University. His research interests include applied probability, statistics, actuarial science, and financial mathematics.
James Hughes, Ph.D.
Professor of Mathematics, Department Chair
hughesjr@etown.edu | 717-361-1334
Dr. Hughes holds a B.A. in Mathematics from The Catholic University of America, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Mathematics from Brandeis University. His research interests include topology and connections between mathematics and music.
Tim McDevitt, Ph.D.
Professor of Mathematics
mcdevittt@etown.edu | 717-361-1337
Dr. McDevitt holds B.S. degrees in both Mathematics and Physics from James Madison University, and M.A.M. and Ph.D. degrees in Applied Mathematics from the University of Virginia. His research interests include solid mechanics and shell theory, statistics, cryptology, and the use of mathematical software.
Gabriela Sanchis, Ph.D.
Professor of Mathematics
sanchisgr@etown.edu | 717-361-1339
Dr. Sanchis holds a B.S. in Mathematics from Syracuse University, an M.A. in Mathematics from the University of Rochester, and a Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Rochester. Her research interests include probability theory and the history of mathematics. She is also an Associate of the Society of Actuaries, and coordinates the Actuarial Science program.
Sakar Sigdel, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Mathematical Sciences
sigdels@etown.edu | 717-361-4759
Dr. Sigdel holds a B.A. in Mathematics from Arcadia University, M.S. in Applied Statistics from West Chester University of Pennsylvania, and Ph.D. in Applied Statistics from the University of California Riverside. His research interests include generalized linear models, biostatistics and machine learning.
Steve Soltys, Ed.D.
Associate Professor of Mathematics Education
Math Secondary Education Program Director
soltyss@etown.edu | 717-361-1336
Dr. Soltys holds a B.A. in Mathematics from Messiah College, an M.Ed. from Millersville University, and an Ed.D. in Mathematics Education from Temple University. His research interests include mathematics education and the use of technology--both hardware and software--in teaching. Dr. Soltys coordinates the Mathematics- Secondary Education program.
Prior to joining the staff at Elizabethtown College, he spent 20 years teaching mathematics at Manheim Central High School.
Bobette Thorsen, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Mathematics
thorsenbh@etown.edu | 717-361-1338
Dr. Thorsen holds B.A. degrees in both Mathematics and Art from Brown University, an M.S. in Mathematics from Montana State University, and a Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Her research interests include complex analysis and operator theory.
Professor Montgomery
Adjunct Professor of Mathematical Sciences
Professor Montgomery has been with the Elizabethtown College Department of Mathematical Sciences since 2013. She earned her B.S. degree in Mathematics Secondary Education and her Master of Arts in Mathematics from Clarion State College (now Clarion University of PA) where she was also a walk-on competitor on Clarion’s nationally ranked Women’s Gymnastics Team.
Prior to teaching at Etown, she taught high school mathematics for 36 years, including 15 years teaching Advanced Placement Calculus. “Prof M.” also served as an AP Calculus Consultant and AP Exam Grader for six consecutive years.
Her research interests include exploring student learning styles with respect to teaching styles, creating strategies for student engagement, and mentoring first year teachers.
Jennifer McFadden
Administrative Assistant for The School of Engineering, Math and Computer Science
mcfaddenj@etown.edu | 717-361-1392 | Esbenshade 160
Jennifer attended Lancaster Bible College earning a dual degree in Secretarial Studies and Bible. She started working at the college in 2008. At that time, the college was going through Middle States accreditation and the Engineering Department was going through the ABET accreditation. Both of these accreditations she served as Administrative Assistant.
Rebecca Weis
Administrative Assistant for The School of Engineering, Math and Computer Science
weisrs@etown.edu | 717-361-1329 | Esbenshade 287
Rebecca started at the college in August 1989. She is currently an Administrative Assistant for the School of Engineering, Math, and Computer Science.
Stephanie Zegers
Assistant Director for The School of EMCS/STEM Relationship Development
zegerss@etown.edu | 717-361-4744 | Esbenshade 161D
Stephanie Zegers is the Assistant Director of Engineering/STEM Relationship Development. Her role is to be the industry liaison for the School of Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science; to goals are to create partnerships with companies, develop internship and employment opportunities for students, and increase awareness of the amazing things happening here at the School of Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science in the industry and community.
Her background is in education and workforce development. Her last position was as a Team Development Specialist at Community Action Partnership of Lancaster County. She has a Bachelor’s in Education from Millersville University and is currently enrolled in Elizabethtown's Master of Strategic Leadership program.
“I am looking forward to bridging my expertise in relationship building and workforce development with your amazing degree programs here at Elizabethtown to create new opportunities for students to support their transition into the workforce.”
