Check Out What We Have Done!

• Our DEI efforts were featured in AMSTAT news!

  "The department of statistics has a long tradition of supporting Hispanic and other underrepresented minority students from local Southern California communities. It has established many clubs and programs to provide professional development, networking, and outreach opportunities with the goal of increasing student involvement and improving their sense of belonging. Active student clubs include the Highlander Statistics Society for undergraduates, Statistics Graduate Student Association, and Mu Sigma Rho honor society for statistics.

  The Highlander Statistics Society aims to foster a supportive environment in which students can learn and collaborate together. Club activities include coding workshops, social events, community service, and participation in the annual ASA DataFest competition hosted by the University of California at Los Angeles.

  The Statistics Graduate Student Association aims to advance the academic, professional, and social lives of statistics graduate students by hosting social events and organizing student seminars.

  Mu Sigma Rho memberships are awarded to both undergraduate and graduate students with academic distinction, accompanied by a free one-year ASA membership.

  The Statistical Mentoring in Application, Research, and Technology Program was recently developed to provide statistics undergraduate students with the opportunity to conduct research under the supervision of graduate students. It gives our undergraduates exposure to research and motivates them to pursue a graduate degree, while providing our graduate students with mentoring and leadership experiences.

  Many faculty members are actively involved in supervising undergraduate capstone projects or participating in the college Summer Bridge to Research program and CAMP Scholar program. The latter is specifically designed to support underrepresented minority undergraduate student research.

  In honor of the late professor D.V. Gokhale, the department established the Gokhale Lecture series in 2012. Each year, with support from the Gokhale Family Endowed Fund, the department brings to the University of California at Riverside campus a prominent speaker who presents a topic in statistics at an undergraduate level that will inspire our undergraduate students to conduct research.

  In 2021, the department further established a DEI committee with members representing the faculty, staff, and undergraduate and graduate students. Our DEI committee embraces the unique and rich perspectives and experiences that arise from racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, sexual, and religious diversity within the department. The mission is to foster an inclusive and welcoming culture and atmosphere.

  During its first year, the committee organized several DEI-centered activities, including a DEI social hour to foster a sense of togetherness and camaraderie and a DEI alumni panel discussion that provided an opportunity to hear from our underrepresented minority alumni who have built their careers in statistics. The DEI committee also hosted a workshop on the imposter phenomenon that focused on strategies to counter it and help others.

  Finally, a DEI climate survey, analysis, and presentation was completed by our undergraduate students in an effort to better understand the DEI climate in the department. The committee will use the results of the survey to identify and guide future DEI activities."   

  -Excerpt from AMSTAT News Article, Read more here!

• Social Hour & Stat Alumni Discussion Panels

  In winter 2022, a discussion panel with Statistics Alumni was set up by our wonderful graduate students; to virtually provide advice and strategies to promote a diverse and inclusive environment. Participants were able to hear about their job search experiences as well as “a day in the life of” discussions, and how they are or found their careers after graduating. 

   

  In Fall 2021, the DEI committee held a Social Hour to go over UCR Statistic's Organizations, DEI offices and the department's focus & resources.
• Imposter Syndrome Workshop

  The Imposter Syndrome Workshop was presented by UCR Vice-Chancellor and Chief Diversity Officer, Dr. Mariam Lam. The workshop included information regarding Imposter Syndrome, strategies for countering the imposter phenomenon, and what you can do to help others. Click here to access the materials. 

  

• The Statistics Department Climate Survey

  The Highlander Statistics Society (HiSS; student-led organization at UCR) and the Department of Statistics' Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee conducted a climate survey in our department in an effort to better understand the climate surrounding DEI among students, staff, and faculty in the department. The DEI Committee plans to use the results of this survey to identify and guide present, future, and potential DEI activities and goals.