My ASA story began in 2005, when I met statistics professor Dr. Baidoo while studying in my junior year, or level 300, at the University of Ghana. I had decided I was going to quit the statistics major I was pursuing along with the computer science major and opt for psychology or geology, following a couple of bad grades in statistics. I believed I had come to the end of my limits with statistics.
As a course adviser who is a Ghanaian American, professor Baidoo introduced me to the American Statistical Association when he learned my mother lived in the United States. I called my mother—who lived in Alexandria, Virginia, at the time—and she said she saw the ASA office while sitting on a bus. Knowing this was a credible request from me to join, she sent me money, and I gave the money to my course adviser to get me enrolled.
After a couple of months or so, my dad came home to Ghana with several ASA magazines, and I went to my room and began perusing the pages. I remember seeing the impact of statisticians and resolving to continue with my statistics major. In December 2007, I attended my first ASA conference in Atlantic City, New Jersey. There, too, I renewed my commitment to pursue an advanced degree in statistical science at George Mason University.
Another key touch point with the ASA was when I served as a teaching assistant in one of the statistics trainings during the 2017 Joint Statistical Meetings at the Baltimore Convention Center. I was given free course materials for my efforts that were relevant to my applied statistics education while working at Deloitte.
Today, I’m a senior data analytics consultant/data analytics consultant alumna of Deloitte Consulting LLP/Deloitte & Touche LLP, as well as a senior programmer analyst II alumna at Mathematica Policy Research.
I also run a nonprofit organization, Coders Who Travel, with the mission to inspire and advance the careers of coders—computer and mathematical programmers—in emerging markets and underserved communities. I have led the organization to train US military veterans, career professionals at Deloitte Consulting LLP, students at the University of Ghana, and women via three-month Python, SAS/SAS Viya, and R boot camps.
I’m also a composer and recording artist of more than 24 Christian songs. A picture is worth a thousand words, so I’m pleased to share my mind map!
Afia,
You are a living testimony to those who have many hopes and dreams of becoming such a valuable force in the earth by using their talents and gifts in such a way that in turn helps others. The major achievements and great successes you’ve accumulated are very admirable. Sharing your journey with the world proves that your resilience, faith and commitment to your family and community will not fail to leave an inheritance and break generational curses but also to create new generational blessings. Keep
going Afia, there’s more in store for you! Thank you for the support you’ve given me throughout the years.
Thank you, ASA for featuring my ASA Story in the December 1, 2023 Edition of AmStat News! I am absolutely stoked about the publication and deeply grateful for it. Also thanking Ron Wasserstein/ Donna LaLonde / Kim Gilliam for making all of this happen!
Wow, Dr. Twilah Crawford! Thank you so much for your very kind and thoughtful words to me! You are very welcome too. Such a great example of an accomplished woman supporting another! Wishing you a great New Year!