Carlos G. Spaht has spent 35 years teaching mathematics at Louisiana State University in Shreveport, La. Spaht uses humor and empathy to build rapport with students as a pathway to learning, reaching them through a combination of lecture, small interactive groups and class projects. In one of his favorite courses, he teaches math majors to prove math theorems themselves.

Inspired to reach out to the disadvantaged, Spaht created a two-year program that helps prepare underserved middle and high school students for college programs in math, science and engineering. He directs a tutoring program for inner-city youth in the Shreveport area and helped develop a financial literacy course for high school teachers and students. His efforts have earned numerous awards for teaching and volunteerism, including the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring.

Serving as a captain in the U.S. Army before joining the LSU faculty, he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, as well as a doctoral in mathematics, from Louisiana State University.