Dr. Filiz Dik, Professor of Mathematics, joined Rockford University (formerly Rockford College) in 2006 after working for Edgewood College, Madison, WI, as a tenure-track assistant professor of Mathematics for two years (2004-2006) and working for RU as an adjunct instructor for a year (2003-2004).

After completing her primary and secondary education in her home town Bolu, Turkey, she received her B.S. degree from the Middle East Technical University, Ankara. She worked as a research and teaching assistant at Abant Izzet Baysal University and received her M.S. degree from the same university. Later, she started her Ph.D. studies at Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri-S&T), formerly known as University of Missouri-Rolla (UMR) under the guidance of Prof. C.V. Stanojevic. During her Ph.D. studies, she worked as a teaching assistant and was also awarded a two-year scholarship from International Peace Scholarship. She received her Ph.D. degree in mathematics from UMR in 2002.

At Rockford University, Filiz teaches Calculus I, Calculus II, Calculus III, Beginning Statistics, Elements of Statistics, Nature of Mathematics I and II for elementary school teachers, Theory of Numbers, Higher Geometry, Probability Models, Numerical Analysis, Problem Solving Seminar, and Mathematical Analysis for Management (for MBA students) using Geometer’s Sketchpad, online course management systems MyMathLab and Web Assign. She enjoys teaching mathematics to both traditional and non-traditional students and working with them on student-faculty research projects. She has supervised many student-faculty summer research projects since 2009. She was nominated for the U.S. Professors of the Year Award by RU in 2013. She was also nominated for Excellence in Teaching Award in 2009/10, 2011/12, and 2015/16 academic years, as well as the Last Lecture Award in 2012/13.

Dr. Filiz Dik has published a number of research papers at peer-reviewed international mathematics journals. She is a member of American Mathematical Society (AMS), Sigma Xi Professional Society, Mathematical Association of America (MAA), and American Association of University Women (AAUW). She served on Assessment Academy Team of Higher Learning Commission (AAT), the Advisory Committee on Reappointment, Tenure, and Promotion (RTP) and the Committee on Academic Assessment and Planning (CAAP) at Rockford University. She chaired CAAP in 2010/11 academic year and RTP in 2013/14. In the community, she served as the Evaluator of NIMS (Northwestern Illinois Mathematics and Science Partnership) Project from 2010-2012. Currently, she serves as a Director 13+ on Northern Illinois Association of Teachers of Mathematics (NIATM) Board, also on STEM Scholarship Committee of AAUW. She also volunteers for various activities at local schools like Brookview Elementary, Montessori Private Academy, Washington, Marshall, and Auburn Gifted Academies as well as Washington Park Community Center.

She has been living in Rockford, IL, with her husband Dr. Mehmet Dik and two daughters Melis and Selin.