Meet New ASA Members: Spotlight on William Brown

This month, we spotlight new member William Brown, who is vice president for institutional research, planning, and effectiveness at New Mexico Junior College. He answered the following questions so we could get to know him better: 

How did you become interested in statistics/or data science?

Well, after spending years making music in the military—where timing is everything—then research in aerospace—where precision matters—and finally landing in higher education, I discovered statistics was just the natural evolution of my career-long obsession with making sure things actually work and proving it with numbers. But honestly, what hooked me was realizing that good data analysis could help students succeed by identifying early warning signs, optimizing programs, and ensuring we’re actually serving them well, rather than just assuming we are. 

What do you consider your dream job?

My dream job would be serving as president of a small community college. Growing up in a small rural town, I understand the unique challenges and opportunities these communities face. After 35 years in institutional research, I’ve seen how strategic leadership and data-informed decisions can transform student outcomes, but I want to expand that impact institution-wide.

Small community colleges are life-changing gateways for students who face financial constraints, academic preparation gaps, or complex life circumstances. As president, I could ensure every policy and program is designed with student success at its heart, creating accessible pathways whether students are pursuing workforce training, university transfer, or personal growth.

My research background provides the analytical tools to measure effectiveness, but my small-town roots remind me that, behind every data point, is a real person with real dreams, and that’s what truly drives my passion for this work.

What do you hope understanding statistics and/or data science helps me accomplish?

Understanding statistics and data science empowers me to fulfill my dream of becoming an effective small community college president. Growing up in a small rural town, I’ve seen how these institutions transform lives, and after 35 years in institutional research, I’ve discovered data reveals incredible success stories and guides us toward even greater achievements.

My aerospace background taught me rigorous analysis leads to breakthrough innovations, and I’m energized by how predictive analytics and machine learning open exciting possibilities for personalized student support.

Ultimately, I want to use statistical tools to ensure every student—especially those from backgrounds like my small hometown—not only gains access to higher education but flourishes there, building on our strengths to create pathways where every student can achieve their potential.

Is there a particular group of statisticians you would like to reach out to you?

Given my extensive background in institutional research at a community college level and rural upbringing, I might consider reaching out to statisticians from the Statistics and Data Science Education Section or community college research networks, as they would best understand the unique challenges of serving diverse student populations, managing limited resources, and conducting meaningful outcomes assessment in smaller institutional settings. In addition, I may want to connect with practitioners who focus on access, retention, and success metrics for nontraditional and first-generation college students—areas in which your rural perspective and understanding of community-based education would be particularly valuable to both newer researchers and seasoned professionals working in similar institutional contexts.

What is your favorite hobby?

Music has been my lifelong passion, starting during my military service and continuing as a creative outlet throughout my aerospace research and higher education career. Whether playing, listening, or sharing music with my wife of 44 years, it connects me to my small-town roots and balances my analytical work.

A close second is exploring New Mexico’s outdoors with my wife and our two German shepherds. Hiking and enjoying nature’s quiet moments provides the perfect counterpoint to decades in research and academia, reconnecting me to the simplicity and peace of my rural upbringing.

What is something you would like people to know about you that we have not asked?

What I’d like people to know is that I’ve run more than 100,000 miles, completed 44 marathons—including the grueling Pikes Peak Marathon—and this has taught me that both institutional research and distance running require the same fundamental qualities: patience, persistence, and the ability to see long-term patterns while staying focused on each step of the journey. Just as every mile teaches you something about endurance and adaptability, every data point in my work reveals something about student success, and both pursuits have reinforced my belief that meaningful progress comes from consistent, methodical effort, rather than quick fixes—whether you’re analyzing retention rates or tackling a marathon course through the Colorado Rockies.

If you are a new member interested in being featured, email ASA Communications Manager Megan Murphy.

Welcome New Members