Today we feature a broad, thoughtful conversation with Dr. Ron Buckmire, Professor of Mathematics and Associate Dean for Curricular Affairs at Occidental College in Los Angeles, Califronia. Ron was born in Grenada, grew up in the States, and earned his undergraduate, masters and PhD degrees from Renssalear Polytehnic Institute in Troy, New York. He studied applied mathematics and recently published Improving Applied Mathematics Education with Jessica Libertini in 2021. He has served as a Program Director in the NSF’s Division of Undergraduate Education in the Washington, DC area . In this conversation Ron talks about “leaving the campground cleaner than you found it,” the role of immigration in a professional life, the importance of funding, and expanding people through education and understanding.