Pamela McGovern

Affiliation: Senior Mathematical Statistician, US Department of Agriculture

Originally from Connecticut, Pamela McGovern attended Fairfield University and majored in mathematics, working as an actuarial intern at an insurance company during the summer months. Being an actuary seemed like a natural fit for a mathematics major from Connecticut, which has more than 100 insurance companies. However, through her exposure to actuarial science and undergraduate statistics classes, she developed an interest in the statistics field and changed course.

Inspired by her professors, McGovern went on to earn a master’s degree at the University of Connecticut. She relished studying statistics at UConn and became passionate about the critical role of statistics in our society. She learned about career opportunities in the federal government through the ASA and decided to pursue a mathematical statistician position. After graduating, she began her career in the federal statistical system at the US Census Bureau.

McGovern now works as a senior mathematical statistician at the US Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service. Throughout her 27-year career as a federal statistician, her work has focused on survey statistics and methodology. She enjoyed the variety of work for mathematical statisticians in the government and was able to broaden her knowledge and skills through holding various positions across different divisions and agencies. McGovern worked and collaborated on projects and research associated with data quality, data collection methods, nonresponse error, statistical standards, and measurement error, to name a few. She benefitted from and is grateful for the mentoring and guidance of other statisticians along the way.

Throughout her career, McGovern has dedicated considerable effort and leadership to the statistical community, serving on interagency and external committees and mentoring junior federal statisticians and undergraduate mathematics/statistics students. She has also been actively involved with the ASA, previously serving as chair of the Statistical Partnerships Among Academia, Industry, and Government Committee and an officer for ASA sections and chapters. She currently serves on the ASA Committee on Statistics and Disability with members across academia, industry, and government. They work together on initiatives for advocacy, inclusion, accessibility, and justice.

Being involved in external committees and working with colleagues across government, industry, and academia on various initiatives in support of the statistical community has been particularly rewarding during her career. While some roles have been challenging and time-consuming, McGovern has thoroughly enjoyed the experience and is proud of the accomplishments she and her fellow team members have made. “Collaboration and service to the statistical community are essential to developing stronger networks, tackling challenges, fostering innovation, and advancing our profession,” says McGovern.