While growing up in Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa, Fatoumata Sanogo, Ph.D., did not enjoy school. In fact, she actively disliked it. That all shifted when she enrolled in a boarding school per her parents’ request.
“I met a teacher [who] changed everything,” said Sanogo, assistant professor of mathematics at Bates College. “[He] helped me realize that I was smart and that I like school. The more we worked on stuff, the more I realized that I liked the math part of things.”
Through this one-on-one mentorship, Sanogo discovered her love for mathematics and her appreciation for supportive relationships in educational settings. She carried both discoveries with her as she pursued her higher education path.
After finishing high school, Sanogo attended International University of Grand Bassam in Côte d'Ivoire. She focused on mathematics with a concentration in actuarial science, and, as she approached graduation, she started to consider international learning opportunities through existing partnerships between her college and American universities. The first option was Georgia State University (GSU), but she was hesitant to commit—according to Sanogo, too many of her friends from back home attended GSU at the time. Then, a new partnership emerged that changed everything.
“UAB had just signed a partnership with them that semester … right before I had to leave,” said Sanogo.
Sanogo decided UAB was the right institution for her and proceeded to move across the world. It was a significant change, but, thankfully, she quickly found a supportive community through the Department of Mathematics.
“I never felt like I was a stranger [at UAB],” said Sanogo. “[The Department of Mathematics] gave me the chance to study, to learn, to be great.”
And she was great. She earned her bachelor’s (2015), master’s (2017), and Ph.D. (2021) from the department and taught classes along the way—which, according to Sanogo, prepared her for her current position at Bates College. In addition, she conducted groundbreaking research on image processing and recommendation systems (in other words, the software that helps Amazon and Netflix recommend certain things based on your likes and interests).
In addition to research and teaching opportunities, Sanogo also found more informal ways to engage with the mathematics community at UAB. It helped her to feel more comfortable and settled at a university that was so far away from where she grew up.
“The thing I remember is the department get-togethers on Fridays,” said Sanogo. “I liked the sense of belonging that I felt there. It’s really hard, as an international student, to just leave all your family—everyone—and come to a new place. At UAB, I was able to easily adapt because I had so many resources at my disposal.”
In addition, she had professors and mentors from across the world, and their experiences with moving to the U.S. proved to be relatable for Sanogo. Through learning and researching alongside them, she began to see a future in higher education. She wanted to continue her research and teaching, and, after completing her Ph.D., she served as a lecturer at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, then secured a job as an assistant professor at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. And, according to Sanogo, things are going well.
“Recently, I was selected as a 2024 Class of Mathematically Gifted and Black (MGB) Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics Early Career Fellow,” said Sanogo. “With the fellowship we will work, network, and co-organize mini-symposium with early career fellow mathematicians from underrepresented groups. Also, we will get to present events like the Workshop Celebrating Diversity."
Clearly, she is thriving in Maine and on an impressive trajectory. That said, Birmingham and UAB stay with her on a daily basis.
According to Sanogo, “To me, UAB is my U.S. hometown.”
