The NC ASA community enjoys food and conversation during its fall dinner.

Duke professor Mine Çetinkaya-Rundel talks about her career path from actuarial science to statistics education.

Nearly 100 statisticians from the North Carolina ASA community gathered for the North Carolina Chapter’s 2018 Fall Dinner November 30. The theme was “Stories of Significance.” 2018 ASA President Lisa LaVange and Duke University’s Mine Çetinkaya-Rundel were the speakers.

Çetinkaya-Rundel, associate professor of the practice and 2016 ASA Waller Education Award honoree, spoke about her move from actuarial science to statistics education. She discussed important realizations and people with impact throughout her educational and career journey. She also talked about the unexpected nature of her path, the importance of learning new skills, and how following her passion led to doing what she loves. 

LaVange followed with her own stories of significance as she spoke about the impact of specific decisions on her career trajectory. In addition to talking through her process as she moved through her career, LaVange also said leadership is a science. Additionally, she addressed the importance of diverse role models.