Rate My Professor John Wagaman

John Wagaman serves as Professor of Mathematics and Program Director for the B.S. Mathematics in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science within the College of Arts and Sciences at Western Carolina University. In his capacity as Program Director, he chairs the Mathematics Program Committee and works alongside the Department Head and other program directors to provide leadership on matters pertaining to the Mathematics program and its five concentrations. Wagaman joined Western Carolina University following the completion of his doctoral studies and has progressed through the academic ranks to full professor status. He earned his Ph.D. in Statistics from Texas A&M University in 2009 and his M.S. in Statistical Computing from the University of Central Florida. His teaching portfolio includes courses such as Applied Statistics (MATH 170) and upper-level mathematics topics, contributing to programs like actuarial science.

Wagaman's scholarly work centers on statistical estimation techniques, especially for log-normal distributions, and pedagogical innovations in statistics education. Key publications include 'Pretest and shrinkage estimators for log-normal means' (2023, Computational Statistics & Data Analysis), 'Simultaneous estimation of log-normal coefficients of variation: Shrinkage and pretest strategies' (2022), 'Handicapping in squash' (2017), 'Introductory statistics in the garden' (2017), 'The Impact of Gamification in Web Based Homework' (2016, PRIMUS: Problems, Resources, and Issues in Mathematics Undergraduate Studies), 'Implementing Quantitative Literacy at Southwestern Community College, North Carolina' (2015, Numeracy), 'Sampling distributions for introductory statistics students using internet polling software' (2013, Technology Innovations in Statistics Education), and 'Spitball Scatterplots in Statistics' (2011). These contributions have accumulated 58 citations as tracked on ResearchGate. Wagaman has advised undergraduate students, supported research endeavors, and participated in university faculty recognition events, such as the 2024 awards announcement.