Anna Wasilewska, ‘01, Department Chair and Professor, SCF Mathematics Department

Like many people, Anna Wasilewska, ‘01 views higher education as a positive path to a fulfilling career. Wasilewska grew up in Poland with her parents and two sisters. She loved learning and envisioned a future in mathematics.

“I knew when I was a child that I wanted to do mathematics,” said Wasilewska, the department chair and a professor in the mathematics department at State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) in Bradenton. “When I was younger, I thought that math was cool because you have answers. I also know that in mathematics, some problems can’t be solved.”

Wasilewska’s mother worked in accounting and her father worked in construction. After a five-year interruption in their secondary schooling due to World War II, her parents took accelerated evening classes for adults and earned their high school diplomas. They encouraged Wasilewska to pursue higher education.

Setting her course for the future, Wasilewska delved into undergraduate and post-graduate studies. She earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree (five years combined) in mathematics from the University of Gdansk, plus an additional post-graduate degree in education from Gdansk Technical University.

Professionally, Wasilewska entered the information technology sector. She spoke Polish, knew German and Russian, and wrote her first software in 1984 as a developer. Wasilewska also taught computer science to young students.

Wasilewska eventually emigrated to the United States to further her education and professional experiences. In 1998, she moved from Poland, thousands of miles across the North Atlantic Ocean, to Sarasota, Florida. After bearing October’s hot weather in Sarasota, she welcomed December’s cooler weather in the area, not needing to wear winter clothing and going on a motorcycle ride. She enjoys outdoor hiking, sailing and scuba diving in Florida.

“I wanted to settle down here,” she said. “I really love the beaches.

In her professional life, Wasilewska returned to teaching math after a friend mentioned a job opening.

“I discovered that I love teaching,” Wasilewska said. “I discovered this really nice aspect of teaching—I am inspired by young people and people who want to learn.”

Living in the U.S., Wasilewska focused on learning English. She applied to Manatee Community College (MCC), now known as SCF, based on a recommendation.  

As a new student in a new country, Wasilewska needed to be able to navigate the U.S. education system, including document translation, the evaluation process and state exams. At that time on the MCC campus, she felt challenged by her lack of a sophisticated English vocabulary.

“People didn’t know what to think of me,” she said.

Eventually, Wasilewska learned English, took classes and helped other students as a student ambassador. In 2001, she graduated from MCC with an associate in science degree in computer programming and system analysis.

After graduating from MCC, Wasilewska reentered the workforce as a program developer and math teacher. In 2008, the “Great Recession” global economic crisis hit, propelling another turning point in her life – a transition to higher education teaching.

“I needed to make a decision to change careers,” she said.

In 2010, Wasilewska became a mathematics professor SCF. Having taught intermediate algebra, college algebra, liberal arts mathematics and other mathematics topics, she stays inspired by student motivation and accelerated student learning. She is qualified to teach any math course at SCF but particularly enjoys the liberal arts concentration.

“The most satisfaction I get is from liberal arts teaching because those are students who think they hate math,” she said.

In addition to teaching students at SCF, Wasilewska supports her fellow faculty members as the department chair. She was promoted to that leadership position after earning 45 credits of education and demonstrating her professional growth, commitment to the institution and commitment to students.

“I think it helped that I went through the ranks,” Wasilewska said. “SCF is a great institution. It’s a really great place to work. My advice (to faculty) is, don’t be afraid to ask for help.”

Wasilewska feels pride in SCF as a steppingstone for students’ college journeys.

“SCF is a great place to start higher education,” she said. “It’s a great place for students to prepare for advanced courses.”

In her future life, Wasilewska hopes to continue her math education, professional development and Sarasota lifestyle.

“I would like to learn statistics more and earn some type of data science certificate,” Wasilewska said. “And hopefully, I can retire and enjoy the area.”