José Chong

Prof. Chong earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Mathematics from The University of Texas at Austin.   Soon after, he moved from Austin, Texas to Lafayette, Louisiana, where he completed both a Master of Science in Mathematics degree at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (formerly known as the University of Southwestern Louisiana) and a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction degree.  After earning his Master of Education degree, he taught high school Mathematics for two years at a local private school in Lafayette, Louisiana.  He then applied for an open position in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and was hired as a Mathematics Adjunct Instructor and then, as a Mathematics Instructor where he taught a variety of courses including College Algebra, Mathematics for Middle School Teachers, and Calculus for Business.  Prof. Chong taught at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette for six years before returning to Panama.  

Upon returning to Panama in 2005, Prof. Chong taught at several universities including Universidad Interamericana de Panama (UIP) where he taught Calculus I, and Quality Leadership University (QLU) (which had joint agreements with several universities in the US) where he taught College Algebra and Calculus (for the University of Louisville) and Statistics for Business and Economics (for Towson University).

Prof. Chong has been part of the Florida State University Republic of Panama campus family and a regular teaching faculty since 2012 where he teaches a wide range of Mathematics courses including College Algebra, Calculus I, Trigonometry, and Practical Finite Mathematics.  He finds great joy in what he does.  He likens his role in the classroom to that of a coach where students are not just casual observers, but they are also active learners who are encouraged to ask questions and to think critically.   In addition to his teaching duties, he is also a faculty advisor to the local chapter of Pride Union where members of the student-led club endeavor to provide a safe space to the LGBTQ+ community on campus, a community of which Prof. Chong is also a proud member.  He is grateful for both the privilege and the opportunity to teach and to also inspire young adults in their journey to becoming World citizens.