Read all about Kevin Johnston below!

Q1. What inspired you to pursue mathematics as a field of study?

I was part of a success academy program that allowed me to graduate high school with my associate degree. I wanted to see if I could complete my next degree within two years, and math made that possible. I’ve always enjoyed math—it was fun for me—so while I wouldn’t necessarily recommend that accelerated path for everyone, it worked out really well in my case.

Q2. Where did you go to school, and what was your journey like to get here?

I started at Utah Tech (formerly Dixie State University), where I earned my associate degree. From there, I went to Southern Utah University for my undergraduate studies—it was close to home and offered a great opportunity to attend tuition-free. After that, I completed my master’s degree at BYU and then went on to earn my Ph.D. at UCI.

Q3. What do you enjoy most about teaching math to students?

I love working on projects with students and seeing their progress over time. The one-on-one interactions are especially rewarding—diving into specific topics together and watching students truly grasp the material is one of my favorite parts of teaching.

Q4. What’s a common challenge students face in math, and how do you encourage them to overcome it?

The biggest challenge I see is simply not showing up. Attendance and engagement make a huge difference. If students come to class consistently, keep up with the work, and regularly review what they’ve learned, they’ll do just fine. Math takes practice and experience, but it’s worth it.

Q5. Can you share a memorable moment from your time teaching in the department?

One of my favorite moments was working one-on-one with a student on a data project. I gave them a dataset to analyze, and when they came back a week later, the entire project was done—and done really well. I was genuinely impressed by their initiative and thoroughness.

Q6. What’s one piece of advice you would give to students who may be intimidated by math?

Just keep going. Whether you’re naturally good at math or not, persistence is key. Push through the challenges, stay consistent, and you’ll get through it.

Q7. How do you see mathematics connecting to everyday life or other fields of study?

Math plays a huge role in everyday life—budgeting, estimating expenses, and planning for the future all rely on mathematical thinking. It’s also incredibly valuable across countless career fields.

Q8. What do you find most rewarding about being part of the math department here?

Seeing students reach that “aha” moment—when they realize they can understand and apply math—is incredibly rewarding. I also love the sense of community and collaboration within the department. And honestly, I just love what I teach. There’s something special about seeing math come to life on the board.

Q9. Did you always know you wanted to be a professor, or did your career path take some unexpected turns?

Not really! My parents were teachers, so I was always around education, but I didn’t have much exposure to other careers early on. After finishing my Ph.D., I explored different paths, but teaching felt like a natural fit—and now here I am. It wasn’t a straight path, but it’s one I’m grateful for.

Q10. What’s one fun fact or hobby outside of math that students might be surprised to learn about you?

During the summers, I spend a lot of time maintaining and restoring my grandparents’ cabin above the Kolob Reservoir. It’s a peaceful getaway and a nice change of pace from academic life.