'Like Cinderella': Professor Mark McCombs' impact transcends his sparkly heels

UNC Mathematics Professor Mark McCombs went viral on TikTok earlier this semester when he wore seven-inch disco platform heels in his calculus class. 

"They were perfect fit, like Cinderella," McCombs said.

The video garnered more than four million views, 1.2 million likes and 6,000 comments. McCombs’ favorite comment on the video referred to a sign in the back of the classroom saying that there was no food allowed, but that he was "eating" in those shoes. 

The professor said he wore the heels before his students' first midterm to boost their spirits. His students were not aware until he stepped in front of his teaching podium and “there was a sort of amazement.” 

McCombs said his teaching philosophy was shaped by his younger brother Doug who passed away nine years ago. 

“Doug would always say to me, we're each put here with a gift. Each of us is put here with a gift, but it's not a gift if you don't share it," McCombs said. "And I feel like teaching math is my grace and the gift I received because the students allow me to work with them."

Celia Stafford, a 2020 UNC Masters of Public Health graduate, was a teaching assistant for a few calculus classes with McCombs. She said McCombs is the “ultimate cheerleader” and has a way to turn math into relatable situations and stories for his students.

“I think I get so emotional because most facets of my life are as a result of me trying to emulate him, or something about him,” Stafford said. 

Some students remember McCombs years after they leave UNC, like JC Weber who took discrete math with him before he graduated, in 2020. 

“Mark is simultaneously one of the funniest and most deeply caring people I’ve ever met," Weber said in a statement to The Daily Tar Heel. "He’s just as likely to crack you up with a ridiculous story as he is to sit with you and share whatever burden you are carrying.” 

McCombs also creates origami art, creations that he said are a gift from his late brother, Doug.

“I just didn’t believe I had any art in me and, and something miraculous or just glorious started to happen while I'm listening to Doug's music, holding this paper, art starts coming out of me,” McCombs said. 

James Parrish, who graduated in 1989, was both a student and colleague of McCombs. Parrish said in a statement to The Daily Tar Heel that McCombs not only knows how to engage students, but also connects with them over their shared passions. McComb connected with Parrish’s daughter over their shared love of art.

“Professor McCombs is one of the main reasons that I loved UNC," Parrish said. "He was one of a handful of really amazing professors who I had the privilege to study with."

UNC Sophomore Jordan Jemsek is currently in McCombs' class. She said that even though McCombs does not take attendance, she shows up to every class. 

Stafford said McCombs reminds her of the edge of a bell curve: anything but average. 

“I take the math seriously, and I take their learning the math seriously, but I don't take myself seriously,” McCombs said. “And I tell my students all the time even if I'm having a bad day, it's going to be a good day if I'm teaching because you all helped me have a good day. So I'm grateful for it.”

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