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Faculty Member

Dr. Hazel McKenna

Biography

Hazel J. McKenna is a professor in the Department of Mathematical and Quantitative Reasoning in the College of Science at Utah Valley University. She holds a Ph.D. in Instructional Science with an emphasis in Educational Measurement and Evaluation, along with graduate and undergraduate degrees in mathematics and statistics.
Her work centers on mathematics education, curriculum development, assessment, numeracy, and student success. Over her career at Utah Valley University, she has taught and developed courses across developmental mathematics, algebra, quantitative reasoning, numeracy, and statistics-informed decision making. She has also served as Director of Assessment for University College and has contributed extensively to curriculum design, including open educational resources and Canvas course shells for courses such as Numeracy, Intermediate Algebra, Beginning Algebra, and Quantitative and Statistical Reasoning for Decision Making.
Dr. McKenna’s scholarly work includes publications on numeracy, algebra curriculum, problem solving, microaggressions in the mathematics classroom, mathematics attitudes, and developmental mathematics. She is also the co-author of major instructional texts and supporting materials, including Numeracy: A Quantitative Reasoning Approach, A Function-Based Approach to Intermediate Algebra, Introductory Algebra, Investigating Prealgebra, and Investigating Basic College Mathematics.
Her professional interests include curriculum development, assessing teaching and learning, mathematics for social justice, and the psychology of learning mathematics. She has presented nationally and internationally on topics such as numeracy course design, online inclusion projects, culturally inclusive classrooms, constructivist learning, and excellence in teaching.
In addition to her teaching and scholarship, Dr. McKenna has a long record of institutional and professional service. She has chaired and served on curriculum, assessment, inclusion, search, retention, tenure, and promotion committees, and has contributed to professional organizations through manuscript review, conference facilitation, and statewide mathematics initiatives. Her work has been recognized through multiple awards and grants, including OER curriculum development grants, student engagement and retention grants, a UVU Board of Trustees Award of Excellence, and teaching awards in mathematics.

Education

PhD, BYU, 1995

Major: Instructional Science

MS, BYU, 1988

Major: Mathematics

B.Sc., The University of Edinburgh, 1986

Major: Pure Mathematics

Teaching

MAT 1030

Quantitative Reasoning, Spring 2026

MAT 2030

Quantitative Reasoning for Decision Making, Spring 2026

MAT 1035

Quantitative Reasoning with Integrated Algebra, Spring 2026

Presentations

McKenna, Hazel J (Author Only), MQR Colloquium, "Convex Spaces in Linear Programming", UVU, UVU. (October 14, 2025)
McKenna, Hazel , MQR Colloquium, "Statistical Power". (October, 2024)
McKenna, Hazel , International Conference on Education, "Designing and Developing a Course in Numeracy", IAFOR , Honolulu, Hawaii. (January 5, 2024)
Loftus, Jane M (Presenter & Author), McKenna, Hazel J (Presenter & Author), Hawaii International Conference on Education, "Incorporating Online Inclusion Projects to Create Awareness and a Sense of Belonging for Students in Higher Education", Waikiki Beach, Hawaii. (January 6, 2023)
Loftus, Jane M. (Presenter & Author), McKenna, Hazel J. (Presenter & Author), Advance Higher Education Conference on Teaching and Learning, "Developing Online Inclusion Projects to Help Create Awareness and a Sense of Belonging ", HEA, Newcastle, England. (July 6, 2022)
Tenneson, Brooke (Presenter & Author), Loftus, Jane M. (Author Only), McKenna, Hazel J (Author Only), Utah Conference for Undergraduate Research, "Creating an Environment of Inclusion Using Online Modules", UCUR, St. George, UT. (February 25, 2022)

Scholarly/Creative Works

McKenna, Hazel J, Chang, Kuo-Liang , "Intermediate Algebra. A Function Approach. 2nd Edition." (Issue: 2nd Edition). Salt Lake City: UEN Digital Publishing. https://uen.pressbooks.pub/intermediatealgebra/
McKenna, Hazel J, Chang, Kuo-Liang , Brinkerhoff, Roxanne , (2023) "Numeracy. A Quantitative Reasoning Approach." (Issue: First Edition). Salt Lake City, UT: UEN Digital Press. https://uen.pressbooks.pub/uvumqr/
McKenna, Hazel J, Chang, Kuo-Liang , Brinkerhoff, Roxanne , (2022) "A Function-based Approach to Intermediate Algebra" . USA: Lumen Learning. https://courses.lumenlearning.com/uvu-combinedalgebra/
McKenna, Hazel , Chang, Kuo-Liang , Brinkerhoff, Roxanne , (2022) "Introductory Algebra" . Portland, OR: Lumen Learning. https://courses.lumenlearning.com/uvu-introductoryalgebra/
Chang, Kuo-Liang , McKenna, Hazel J, Debrecht, Johanna , (2021) "Engaging Students in True Problem Solving" (Issue: 1, vol. 13). Memphis, TN: MathAMATYC Educator. https://amatyc.org/page/EducatorFall2021
McKenna, Hazel J, Chang, Kuo-Liang , Mgonja, Thomas , D'Oca, Gina , (2021) "A framework to measure microaggressions in the mathematics classroom." (Issue: 5, vol. 1). Cham: SN Social Science. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43545-021-00121-w

Awards

Academic Affairs Award of Excellence_ Academic Innovation Pedagogy

UVU: Academic Affairs - March 20, 2024

In 2023–2024, I completed an innovative instructional technology project focused on improving student learning through the design and integration of technology-supported mathematics instruction. This work included developing course materials that combined online learning tools, applied quantitative reasoning, instructional videos, interactive practice, and structured Canvas course design to make mathematics more accessible, engaging, and relevant for students.
A major part of this innovation was the development of technology-enhanced learning materials that supported students beyond traditional lecture and textbook formats. These materials helped students practice mathematical concepts, receive feedback, revisit explanations, and connect course content to real-world applications. The project reflected my broader teaching goal of helping students see mathematics as a useful tool for reasoning, decision-making, and communication rather than as a set of isolated procedures.
This work was recognized through the 2024 Academic Innovation Pedagogy – Group Award, one of the highest honors given by Academic Affairs at UVU. The award recognized excellence in innovation, creativity, service, dedication, leadership, efficiency, exceptional performance, contribution to the university, effectiveness, and inclusion. I was honored to receive this recognition because it affirmed the value of using thoughtful instructional technology to improve student learning, increase accessibility, and further UVU’s mission.

Faculty Scholarship Award

UVU - April, 2019

Innovative Programming Award

Continuing Education Association

Board of Trustees Award of Excellence

UVSC Board of Trustees

Teacher of the Year

UVSC

Mathematics Outstanding Teacher Award

UVSC