Whoever said that math and culture can't mix? For one COC professor, the two are interconnected, and she's made it her mission to spread the love of applied statistics, trigonometry, and algebra alongside the more artistic side of her personality. Professor Violeta Kovacev-Nikolic is a math professor here at the college. After experimenting with the world of physics in her early elementary school years, her love for math and teaching came together when she realized how much she enjoyed working with peers to solve problems and grasp some of the more difficult concepts being taught.

After graduating in 2007 with a double major in physics and mathematics, Kovacev-Nikolic decided to pursue a master’s in both applied mathematics and statistics, with the ultimate goal of achieving her Ph.D. in mathematics sometime in the future. Kovacev-Nikolic joined COC's faculty in Fall of 2014, she gradually became a full-time faculty member in the Fall of 2016 and has shared her love of the community college environment. “Teaching at a community college gives you more freedom in the classroom, and I feel like I’m making more of a difference here,” she shares. Kovacev-Nikolic intertwines her interests in math and the classroom with her hobbies and pursuits. On any given weekend, she can be found by her computer, searching for not only the latest news in education but for mini-adventures in which to embark.

At the moment, New Zealand is the destination she has her eyes on -- with its fascinating history and beautiful scenery, and she hopes to use some of her time outside of the busy classroom in the throes of New Zealand culture. Kovacev-Nikolic is also an avidly cultured fan of a wide variety of television shows, movies, and books -- so much so that she finds it impossible to name any favorites for fear of changing her mind only seconds later.

As a goal, Kovacev-Nikolic hopes to return to the classroom as a student sometime in the future. She's currently participating in courses within the Association of College and University Educators to develop her teaching abilities further. Perhaps the most positive side effect of her love of mathematics and culture is her ability to translate her pursuits into life lessons for all of her students. Interacting with students is the favorite aspect of her job, and she makes it a mission to uplift and encourage every student she comes in contact with, both in and out of the classroom. "I always tell them that it's all about hard work, discipline, and the growth mindset," she enthusiastically shares. "I believe if students can practice persistence in my classroom, they can take that attitude and apply it everywhere in the real world."