Meet our 2023-2024 Distinguished Faculty, Math Professor, Justin Tolentino!
Justin Tolentino is a proud member of the Santa Ana College Math Department and a full-time faculty since 2016.
If you search the grounds of Santa Ana College, you may come across a peculiar brick that contains what appears to be a string of random numbers and letters. Those familiar with mathematics may recognize the numbers representing the first 19 digits of pi, and upon deeper study, one may use these digits to discover a hidden message left by Justin and his husband revealing their love and appreciation for the college. This brick is an exemplification of Justin's belief that while math and numbers may appear in our everyday lives, it can also serve as a key to unlock the beauty and love for the world. It has been his mission to help reveal this beauty to others for the past 17 years.
Justin began his career as a high school math teacher in 2006. Upon completing his master's degree from Cal State Fullerton, he joined Santa Ana College in 2013 teaching classes in the evening. Having fallen in love with the students and colleagues, he was excited for the opportunity to join Santa Ana College full-time in 2016.
During his tenure at Santa Ana College, Justin has taken on various roles, including serving on many college committees, such as the Student Success and Equity Committee, and serving as a former faculty co-chair of the Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment Committee. He is currently a member of the Curriculum and Instruction Council and leads the Curriculum for the Math Division. In the Math department, to continue learning from his outstanding colleagues, he established the Math Equity Group, a group dedicated to exploring personal and systemic practices that lead to more equitable outcomes. He has collaborated with colleagues on grant teams to improve the support for students taking Statistics and Calculus. He is a developer of OER and ZTC courses, and a source of knowledge and support for implementing technologies.
Off campus, Justin is an active member of the local running community. You can often find him running through Santa Ana with the Keep Runnin' Santa Ana running club. Grateful for all the love and support from family, friends, and mentors, he knows that none of his successes are his own, but his passion to help those already doing amazing work has made him instrumental to our Santa Ana College community.
Mark your calendars for Justin Tolentino's Distinguished Faculty Lecture:
When: Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Time: 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Phillips Hall
