After seeing the world, she finds perfect job at PSU
Angela Steele
Issue date: 11/21/02 Section: Campus Life
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What impressed Cummings about the United States were strong female
personalities. "I saw women news anchors and the Charlie's Angels, and it was the first time I saw women being tough and beautiful," she recalls. "It was a sign to me that you can be feminine and still do something worthwhile."
Cummings got her bachelor's degree in computer science and mathematics from PSU, and was married while finishing that degree. She then earned a master's degree in mathematics, and began teaching basic courses in the Computer Science Department.
While teaching, she worked on her master of business administration degree, and then, she said, her husband encouraged her to strive for a Ph.D. So, she left for the University of Texas, and returned to PSU with her doctorate.
"I've been happily teaching ever since," she says, smiling. "I can't
imagine why anyone wouldn't want to teach. It's the perfect profession."
Some of her classes are Computer Applications 101, a general education
class, and Management Information Systems. She has written textbooks
pertaining to both subjects.
"I don't have a favorite class to teach," says Cummings, "but I sometimes click better with different groups. It's always very interesting to see." Cummings says there have been lots of inspiring people in her life and it's impossible to name them all.
When she was young she admired anthropologist Margaret Mead, because "she was one of the first women to become academically successful." Cummings' mother was a strong motivator in her life because she was "very keen on education."
She said that while growing up, her parents strayed from the norm by wanting to educate girls. "I was lucky," she said. "It was a time and place that thought it frivolous to educate women. Girls needed to read, write, cook and sew because that was all they needed in order to grow up and have babies. University was a place to find a husband."
Inspiring Pitt State people include Felix Dreher, Helen Kriegsman, Gary
McGrath, Elwin Davis and Jim Harris. "They were all very encouraging and helpful," she said, but added that there were many more.
"I was inspired by all of the teachers I had. That's how I learned to
teach."
personalities. "I saw women news anchors and the Charlie's Angels, and it was the first time I saw women being tough and beautiful," she recalls. "It was a sign to me that you can be feminine and still do something worthwhile."
Cummings got her bachelor's degree in computer science and mathematics from PSU, and was married while finishing that degree. She then earned a master's degree in mathematics, and began teaching basic courses in the Computer Science Department.
While teaching, she worked on her master of business administration degree, and then, she said, her husband encouraged her to strive for a Ph.D. So, she left for the University of Texas, and returned to PSU with her doctorate.
"I've been happily teaching ever since," she says, smiling. "I can't
imagine why anyone wouldn't want to teach. It's the perfect profession."
Some of her classes are Computer Applications 101, a general education
class, and Management Information Systems. She has written textbooks
pertaining to both subjects.
"I don't have a favorite class to teach," says Cummings, "but I sometimes click better with different groups. It's always very interesting to see." Cummings says there have been lots of inspiring people in her life and it's impossible to name them all.
When she was young she admired anthropologist Margaret Mead, because "she was one of the first women to become academically successful." Cummings' mother was a strong motivator in her life because she was "very keen on education."
She said that while growing up, her parents strayed from the norm by wanting to educate girls. "I was lucky," she said. "It was a time and place that thought it frivolous to educate women. Girls needed to read, write, cook and sew because that was all they needed in order to grow up and have babies. University was a place to find a husband."
Inspiring Pitt State people include Felix Dreher, Helen Kriegsman, Gary
McGrath, Elwin Davis and Jim Harris. "They were all very encouraging and helpful," she said, but added that there were many more.
"I was inspired by all of the teachers I had. That's how I learned to
teach."
