By Kira Hamman

Let me tell you what I value: Creating belonging. Listening to understand. Asking real questions and paying attention to the answers. Intellectual humility. Genuine curiosity.

In my time as editor of Math Values, I have seen this community actively elevate all of those values, even when it’s hard. I’ve worked with mathematicians whose stories will break your heart, and mathematicians whose stories will crack you up, and mathematicians whose stories will do both, many times over, all in under 800 words.

I’ve worked with authors who would not call themselves mathematicians but clearly are, by any reasonable definition, and seen them unfurl into a community that welcomes them and their unique perspectives.

I have watched Math Values grow, from a relatively small and hidden gem among the MAA’s many publications to a robust marketplace of ideas. I’ve seen members of this community challenged by some of those ideas, and seen them rise to the challenge, and the community become stronger for it - authors and readers from many different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives all tied together by a love of mathematics and mathematical thinking.

And so, as I depart Math Values today, I leave you with this: Hold on to your values. Elevate what matters. Listen first. And keep doing the good, hard, messy work of creating and sustaining true community. It’s worth it.

Kira Hamman is the editor of Math Values through the end of the day today. It has been her great honor to work with a brilliant and dedicated editorial board and with the many members of the wide (and widening!) mathematical community who have contributed their thoughts, ideas, and stories to this blog. Thank you all.