David Corliss
With the change in weather and start of a new academic year, JEDI hearts turn to StatFest. This annual event focuses on students from historically underrepresented groups in statistics and data science, helping them make a strong start to the year by making connections and building their support network. Not to be confused with DataFest, which is a hackathon open to everyone that occurs in the spring, StatFest is held each year in September or October. Hosted or organized by the ASA Committee on Minorities in Statistics, this community event encourages students to consider careers in statistics and data science.
StatFest, which is free and does not require ASA membership to take part in, began in 2001 with a one-day conference organized by Nagambal Shah at Spelman College in Atlanta. Over the years, the event has grown as it has helped grow the community. Many people participating today as speakers and expo presenters once attended as students, attesting to the impact this event has and the lifelong connections it can help make.
In the past, StatFest was hosted at a particular college. This year, to make it more accessible to a wider audience, it will be virtual and presented in three successive sessions on Thursdays from 7–9 p.m. ET. It will begin with a welcome to students, who will then be introduced to others pursuing careers in statistics and data science and offered advice on career development. The second session will focus on getting ready for graduate school, while the third session will encompass a virtual expo to connect students with opportunities during their college program and beyond.
Every year, StatFest brings together leaders as speakers and expo participants. For students from underrepresented groups, it is a way to see what is possible from people who have done it while getting support for their college journey. Since it is organized by the ASA Committee on Minorities in Statistics, StatFest also allows students to become plugged into everything the committee offers, including their diversity mentoring program.
StatFest is free to attend, and registration is open. Meanwhile, share the word about the event with colleagues and students. As it says on the Committee on Minorities in Statistics website, “Join us to discover where your abilities can take you!”
2025 StatFest Schedule
Thursday, September 11: Welcome, career panel, and networking
Thursday, September 18: Keynote, graduate school application process, and graduate student panel
Thursday, September 25: Exhibitor introductions, expo, networking, and closing
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