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Mathematics Department honors two with Alumni Achievement Award
Prieto-Langarica and McGahey selected for their work in academia, business
Two alumni of The University of Texas at Arlington were recently honored by the Department of Mathematics for their achievements in academia and business.
Alicia Prieto-Langarica and Thomas “Dan” McGahey received the UTA Mathematics Alumni Achievement Award during the department’s annual spring luncheon on April 21. Hristo Kojouharov, professor and department chair, presented the pair with plaque awards.
“Dr. Prieto-Langarica is an exceptional scholar, educator, mentor, and leader whose career reflects the highest ideals of our academic community,” Kojouharov said. “Mr. McGahey is a distinguished alumnus whose exceptional career in the global insurance and financial services industry reflects sustained leadership, integrity, and professional excellence. We are thrilled to honor these two exceptional alumni with the Mathematics Alumni Achievement Award.”
Alicia Prieto-Langarica
Prieto-Langarica received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Dallas and earned a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from UTA in 2012, with Kojouharov as her faculty advisor. She is now a distinguished professor of mathematics and statistics at Youngstown State University, where she also served as director for academic programs at the Sokolov Honors College.
“I am very honored and humble to have received this award,” she said. “I spent four years at UTA getting my Ph.D., and it was some of the best days in my life. I had great classmates and peers; we played all the intramural sports! I was also incredibly lucky to have the best Ph.D. advisor in Dr. Kojouharov. He has always treated me as family, and for an international student like I was, this meant a lot. Everything I have done since graduating I owe to him and to my mentor, Dr. Minerva Cordero. I aspire to be just like them as a professor and mentor now.”
Her interdisciplinary research is in the intersection of mathematics and biology, specifically problems related to the medical field. Recent areas of interest include data science, mathematics education, and public policy. Her work has deepened understanding in areas including medical implants and infectious disease modeling.
Prieto-Langarica is also a leader in the mathematical sciences community. She serves as an associate editor for La Matematica, the official journal of the Association for Women in Mathematics, and as an advisor for the Tensor Women and Mathematics grant program. She also served for three years as an advisor for the Tensor SUMMA (Strengthening Underrepresented Minority Mathematics Achievement) grant program. The Tensor grants, funded by the Mathematical Association of America, support equity and inclusion in the discipline.
She is widely recognized for her commitment to mentoring, service, and community engagement as well. She is a co-founder of Lathisms, a national platform that highlights the contributions of Hispanic and Latinx mathematicians, and serves as an associate director of Project NExT, an MAA program which helps guide and support early-career mathematicians.
Among the awards she has received are the inaugural award for Excellence in Transforming Post-Secondary Education in Mathematics (eTPSE) from the TPSE Math organization in 2024 for her outstanding contributions to undergraduate education, and the Henry L. Alder Award for Distinguished Teaching by the MAA in 2019. The Alder Award is one of the highest honors for early-career mathematics faculty and recognizes both her innovative teaching methods and her deep commitment to supporting students, particularly those from underserved and underrepresented backgrounds.
“Dr. Prieto-Langarica stands as a model of academic excellence, inclusive leadership, and service to both the profession and the broader community,” Kojouharov said. “We are honored to celebrate her achievements and proud to recognize her as one of our distinguished alumni.”
Thomas ‘Dan’ McGahey
McGahey earned his B.S. degree in mathematics from UTA in 1972. He used the rigorous analytical training he received at UTA as the foundation of a long and successful career with JCPenney Life Insurance Co. and Aegon/Transamerica, a major international insurance and financial services firm. He retired in 2012 after a 40-year career during which he held numerous senior leadership positions in both the United States and Europe.
“Receiving this honor at the UTA Mathematics Annual Scholarship Luncheon was a proud moment,” he said. “It serves as a wonderful recognition for my 40-year career spanning insurance, technology, and corporate leadership. UTA has transformed immensely since I graduated in 1972. The student population has tripled, the physical campus has expanded significantly, and the university consistently maintains its status as a top-tier institution.
“Celebrating alongside current student achievers at the luncheon was incredibly inspiring. I was also delighted to see Dr. Alicia Prieto-Langarica recognized for her outstanding academic accomplishments. It is a true privilege and humbling to be counted among this group. My UTA education provided me a foundation second to none, and I remain deeply proud to be an alumnus.”
During his tenure with JCPenney Life Insurance and Aegon/Transamerica, McGahey was widely respected for his deep expertise in administration, operational management, and direct marketing operations. He served most notably as chief administrative officer for Aegon Direct Marketing Services, where his leadership made a significant contribution to the company’s growth and modernization.
He played an instrumental role during a period of major global expansion and transformation for Aegon. His influence extended internationally through senior directorships within the company’s European subsidiaries, including Aegon Direct Marketing Services Europe Ltd., Stonebridge International Insurance Ltd., and Cornerstone International Holdings Ltd. In these appointments, his ability to guide complex operations and align strategy across global markets helped both the companies and their clients.
Known throughout his career for his steady leadership, thoughtful decision making, and a strong commitment to organizational excellence, McGahey earned the trust and respect of colleagues on both sides of the Atlantic. Though he was based in Texas, his responsibilities and impact were truly international in scope.
“We are honored to recognize Dan McGahey for his outstanding career, his global leadership, and the distinction he brings to the University of Texas at Arlington as a proud alumnus of the Class of 1972,” Kojouharov said.
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