Faculty Member

Alan Parry

Biography

Alan joined the UVU faculty in 2016 and currently serves in the Department of Mathematics.

Alan loves teaching and helping students see the wonder of mathematics around them. His teaching philosophy is centered on three key ideas_ (1) genuine care for his students and a desire for their success, (2) fostering an enjoyable and comfortable classroom atmosphere to engender student investment and engagement in the course, and (3) using several different approaches to course material in order to help students learn their way.

Alan's mathematical research interests are in the mathematics of elections and mathematics education. Alan has also done research in differential geometry and its subfield of mathematical general relativity.

Academic Positions Held

Associate Professor of Mathematics - Utah Valley University - 2021 - present

Visiting Associate Professor of Mathematics - Brigham Young University - 2024 - 2025

Chair of the Department of Mathematics - Utah Valley University - 2021 - 2024

Associate Chair of the Department or Mathematics - Utah Valley University - 2018 - 2021

Assistant Professor of Mathematics - Utah Valley University - 2016 - 2021

Visiting Assistant Professor of Mathematics - University of Connecticut - 2013 - 2016

Education

PhD, Duke University, 2013

Major: Mathematics

MA, Duke University, 2008

Major: Mathematics

MS, Utah State University, 2007

Major: Mathematics

BS, Utah State University, 2006

Major: Mathematics

Teaching

MATH 2210

Calculus III, Fall 2026

MATH 2250

Differential Equations and Linear Algebra, Fall 2026

MATH 3100

Foundations of Geometry, Fall 2026

MATH 1210

Calculus I, Summer 2026

MATH 2210

Calculus III, Summer 2026

MATH 6330

Advanced Linear Algebra, Spring 2026

MATH 3100

Foundations of Geometry, Spring 2026

MATH 4330

Theory of Linear Algebra, Spring 2026

MATH 1060

Trigonometry, Spring 2026

Presentations

Parry, Alan (Presenter & Author), Gundlach, Michael (Presenter & Author), Simons, Joe (Presenter & Author), Mogilski, Wiktor (Presenter & Author), Havens, Daniel (Author Only), 2026 UMATYC Annual Conference, "Analysis Paralysis_ Dropping Out of the Race to Calculus", Utah Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges, Utah Valley University. (September 26, 2026)
Parry, Alan (Co-Presenter), Potter, Matthew (Co-Presenter), Bala, Carrie (Co-Presenter), USHE Math Launch Years Team Conference_ Corequisite QL Courses and Just-in-Time Supports, "Math Modeling with Spreadsheets (QL): Mathematics Modernized and Accessible", Utah System of Higher Education, Salt Lake City, UT. (September 11, 2026)
Parry, Alan (Presenter & Author), Smith, Dallas (Co-Author), MAA Intermountain Section Meeting 2026, "Election Methods and Network Centrality", Mathematical Association of America Intermountain Section, Brigham Young University. (March 28, 2026)
Parry, Alan (Presenter & Author), Gundlach, Michael (Presenter & Author), Havens, Daniel (Co-Author), Mogilski, Wiktor (Co-Author), Simons, Joe (Co-Author), 28th Annual Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education, "Analysis Paralysis_ On the Potential Overemphasis of Calculus and Analysis in the Undergraduate and Graduate Mathematics Curricula", Special Interest Group of the Mathematical Association of America on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education, Virginia Tech University. (February 26, 2026)
Parry, Alan , BYU Mathematics Undergraduate Colloquium, "Do We Vote the Wrong Way?", BYU Mathematics Department, Brigham Young University. (November 12, 2025)
Parry, Alan , MAA Intermountain Section Speaker Program, "Do We Vote the Wrong Way?", MAA Intermountain Section, Online. (October 7, 2025)

Scholarly/Creative Works

Parry, Alan , (2026) "Math Professor Explains Why 4 Woodworking Tricks Work" . https://youtu.be/m6S0yN8DTQA
Parry, Alan , (2026) "How Math Conquered Final Fantasy VIII" . https://youtu.be/90IajDc78f8
Parry, Alan , Havens, Daniel , Gundlach, Michael , Mogilski, Wiktor , Simons, Joe , (2026) "Analysis Paralysis_ On the Potential Overemphasis of Calculus and Analysis in the Undergraduate and Graduate Mathematics Curricula" . Alexandria, VA: Proceedings of the 28th Annual Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education. http://sigmaa.maa.org/rume/RUME28(2026)_Proceedings.pdf
Parry, Alan , (2026) "4 Math Definitions No One Can Agree On" . https://youtu.be/Y6q9D3D0OLU
Parry, Alan , (2026) "Math Educator Reacts to Animations vs. School" . https://youtu.be/wBneK-YVjnM
Parry, Alan , (2026) "3 Reasons Why τ is Better than π and 3 Why It's Not!" . https://youtu.be/iPNPzxYM3BE

Awards

Outstanding Teacher Award

Mathematical Association of America Intermountain Section - March, 2026

Board of Trustees Award of Excellence

Utah Valley University - February, 2022

Faculty Excellence Award

Utah Valley University Faculty Senate - April, 2019

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Advance HE - June, 2018

L.P. and Barbara Smith Award for Teaching Excellence

Duke University Mathematics Department - September, 2010