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Paula Stickles was born on August 7th in Quincy, Illinois. Dr. Stickles is a mathematics professor specializing in education at Millikin University. She teaches a wide variety of 100 level math classes (such as Finite Mathematics, Intermediate Algebra, and Calculus I) as well as higher level education classes specializing in teaching mathematics.

After considering other careers Stickles decided on mathematics in her later years of high school attributing that to the numerous math teachers she considered role models. Once she chose math, she knew she wanted to pursue education. Although math is a male-dominated field Stickles said “I never really noticed… In high school, I was good so I was always scoring the top, and my best friend did too …, so, I never really noticed. I was super competitive so I’m beating everyone else anyway, male or female, so, I never thought about it as an undergrad.”

Stickles was a first-generation college student. She attended Millikin University for her undergraduate degree in Mathematics Education. She continued her education, getting her Master's degree from Northern Illinois University and her Ph.D. from Indiana University. Between her time at Northern Illinois University and Indiana University, Dr. Stickles took some time to apply her skills learned in her first two degree programs, after six years of school Dr. Stickles enjoyed teaching more than being taught at this time. After teaching for a number of years she went back to earn her Ph.D.

Stickles taught at several schools either part or full time, including Springfield College, Marshall University, Evansville Day School, University of Southern Indiana, Millikin University, Kishwaukee Community College, University of Evansville, Northern Illinois University, and Indiana University.

Dr. Stickles thinks of herself as a strong female presence, particularly in this department because of her tendency to voice her opinion. “Historically … women are seen as the weaker gender, and at times are submissive. When I’ve seen women in mathematics, I don’t really like this word, but sometimes they strike me as ‘mousey’ and aren’t vocal. I’m just a vocal person in general whether its a male audience or a female audience.” Part of this vocality comes from her first teaching job, where she was surrounded by other strong women in a majority female faculty. Dr. Stickles knows she is a strong voice in her department, but thinks this would remain constant no matter the makeup of the staff. Stickles says that over the years she has tuned down her vocality as she realized she can be heard without being loud. While Dr. Stickles acknowledges that gender stereotypes exist, she is a firm believer that you should not conform to them. When asked how she defies gender stereotypes, she seemed to have trouble coming up with a list, instead, saying that “I wasn’t raised that way… Whether I had female or male role models, I guess any male role models I had treated women as equally … and all the female role models I have are strong women.” Continuing on, Dr. Stickles says she doesn’t understand why some women don’t give their opinions. “You have an opinion, so give it”