--- title: "Math Man | Manhattan University Magazine | Summer 2026" url: "/news/magazine/summer-26/matthew-jura" type: page date: 2026-10-07 updated: 2026-10-08 --- # Math Man | Manhattan University Magazine | Summer 2026 Summer 2026 Manhattan University Magazine # Math Man **Story By:** Matthew Perrino **Photograph:** Ryan Montermarano Image ![Photo of Matthew Jura, Ph.D. in a classroom with equations on the back wall](/sites/default/files/styles/4_3_327w/public/media/2026-10/math-man-mu-magazine-spring2026.jpg?h=08d254ec&itok=NjE1VBIJ) Matthew Jura, Ph.D. Matthew Jura, Ph.D., got his first taste of teaching at a young age. Raised in a small town in midcoast Maine, Jura realized that he had a knack for mathematics and thoroughly enjoyed the subject. At Medomak Valley High School, he would often help his classmates whenever they had trouble with math. And aside from his teachers, there was no one better to assist them. Jura was in several honors math classes and was a member of the school’s math team, where he competed in mathematics competitions against teams from other high schools in the area. He also graduated as the valedictorian of his class. As valedictorian, Jura earned the University of Maine’s Top Scholar Award, a scholarship that offers free tuition to valedictorians and salutatorians from Maine high schools. He was also invited to join the school’s honors program. It didn’t hurt either that both his parents and his sister were UMaine graduates, or that one of his longtime friends had decided to go there. Jura enrolled at UMaine as undecided, but in his sophomore year, he became a mathematics major and a German minor. His time there boosted his interest in math. “As an undergraduate student, I learned that mathematics is more about making logically coherent arguments rather than mere calculation,” he said. It was also at UMaine where he was exposed more to teaching. Jura had a work-study position grading homework for the Mathematics Department. He also tutored mathematics and German in his spare time. Jura’s ultimate goal in higher education was to earn a Ph.D. Because UMaine didn’t offer a Ph.D. in math, he was forced to look elsewhere after graduating in 2003. The University of Connecticut (UConn), in particular, caught his eye. “I was drawn to UConn due to their strengths in mathematical logic,” said Jura. “Professor Manuel Lerman is highly regarded in the mathematical logic community, and he was the director of the graduate program at the time. Before enrolling, I had corresponded with Professor Lerman by email, and from those conversations, it seemed like a good fit.” Jura enrolled at UConn to pursue a Ph.D. in mathematics, focused on mathematical logic. The program also gave him a master’s degree after he passed his qualifying exams. At UConn, Jura was offered a teaching assistantship for nearly every semester of his Ph.D., which paid for tuition, health insurance and some living expenses. As a teaching assistant, Jura taught mostly his own sections of mathematics classes. During the summers, he taught for the Center for Access and Postsecondary Success Program at UConn, an entrance program for historically underrepresented students who had just been admitted to UConn. Jura considers his teaching assistantship at UConn to be his first real teaching position — and he’s been teaching ever since. “My parents raised me to be a moral, just, and kind person, who lives out his faith in Christ,” said Jura. “Through this, I feel the urge to help others, and I feel that teaching is one of the best ways I can do that. It is very satisfying to help someone learn a difficult concept.” Jura’s very first job after graduating with his Ph.D. in 2009 was at Manhattan University (then Manhattan College). “After my Ph.D., I knew that I wanted to work as a professor,” he said. “I applied to Manhattan due to its location, and especially its Lasallian Catholic mission.” Jura began his career in August 2009 as a visiting assistant professor. For 17 years, he’s been teaching math at Manhattan University. But Jura has also occupied other roles during that time. In 2013, he developed and taught the MATH 099 Summer Online Bridge to Calculus course, which helps prepare first-year students for calculus. Since 2016, he’s been teaching for CSTEP (Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program), a state-funded initiative designed to support underrepresented or economically disadvantaged undergraduate students pursuing careers in STEM. Jura has also served as the chair of the University Curriculum Committee for the past three years. He’s a member of the ad hoc University-Wide Core Curriculum Council and an adviser of the Pi Mu Epsilon (the mathematics honor society) Lambda chapter of New York at Manhattan University. He’s led two undergraduate students in summer research projects and reviews papers for MathSciNet, the American Mathematical Society’s reviews database. In 2023, Jura won the Kakos School of Science Excellence in Service Award for his years of dedication to Manhattan University. “Manhattan has a much more closely knit community among students, faculty, and staff,” he said. “Unlike at a large public institution, everyone knows each other here.” Jura has passions outside the classroom, of course. He enjoys spending time with his wife and dog, meditating and playing fantasy football with friends from graduate school. But after 17 years, Jura has made some of his fondest memories at Manhattan University. “I am always drawn back to the time spent with Dr. Robert Suzzi Valli, who unfortunately passed away in December 2024,” he said. “I have great colleagues in my department and across the University. And teaching students who are really engaged with the material is always a great joy.” Image ![Aerial photo of Manhattan University](/sites/default/files/styles/4_3_327w/public/media/2026-03/drone-2025-3200x2400.jpg?h=9b8bd6ff&itok=xYR2ar43) ## Prepare for the Real World At Manhattan University, your education is built around who you are and where you want to go. Whether you’re ready to apply or just starting to explore, take the next step when you’re ready — we’re here to help. 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