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Sociology Professor Esther Wilder Honored for Advancing Numeracy Education
November 12, 2026
Numeracy—the ability to use and critically interpret numbers and data in everyday life—has been the focus of Lehman College Professor of Sociology Esther Wilder’s work for more than two decades. Now, the National Numeracy Network has recognized her efforts with its Outstanding Mentor Award.
“I define numeracy as the contextualized use of numbers and data in ways that require critical thinking,” Wilder explained. “These skills are essential not only for academic and professional success, but also for making informed decisions in general.”
Her work began in the early 2000s, when she and Lehman colleagues learned how to incorporate data analysis into sociology courses beyond statistics and research methods. An initial National Science Foundation (NSF) grant supported the development and integration of a broader numeracy curriculum at Lehman, and four subsequent NSF grants allowed her to expand the work across CUNY and nationwide.
Wilder’s programs have trained hundreds of instructors and reached thousands of students, helping faculty make numbers and data more relevant to subjects ranging from sociology to nursing and chemistry. Many of the instructors she has mentored have gone on to become leaders and mentors themselves.
“One of the most rewarding aspects has been the opportunity to work with dozens of faculty members from different disciplines and institutions who share my commitment to improving students’ numeracy skills,” she said.
The Outstanding Mentor Award specifically recognizes Wilder’s contributions as a mentor and collaborator. “Receiving this award from the National Numeracy Network makes it especially meaningful, as I've been involved with the organization for many years and believe deeply in its mission,” said Wilder. “I'm incredibly grateful for this recognition, but what touches me most is knowing that it came from colleagues whose work I admire so much.”