The Department of Statistics is proud to celebrate our newest class of 186 extraordinary graduates. The group includes those earning bachelor’s degrees and certificates in Data Science and Statistics, in addition to several students obtaining graduate degrees. Our graduates have bright futures ahead as leaders in the rapidly growing, interconnected fields of data science and statistics.
Below, you’ll meet two new alumni of our undergraduate degree programs who will help shape the world of data for decades to come.
Annika Kennerhed, BS Data Science
With a major in Data Science and a certificate in Scandinavian Studies, Annika Kennerhed’s interests don’t stop at data. She also has a deep interest in language and cross-cultural connections, exemplified by a study-abroad experience in Madrid in spring 2024.
Nonetheless, her passion for data science is clear; as a student, Kennerhed has completed multiple internships, including as a data analytics intern for Duluth Trading Company and a data governance analyst intern at U.S. Venture. She also served in a leadership role for the popular data science student org, dotData.
Program highlights and shoutouts:
- “This fall I took STAT 451 (Introduction to Machine Learning) and STAT 436 (Statistical Data Visualization) to finish out my Data Science major, and these have been my favorite courses in the Statistics Department by far,” Kennerhed said. “John Gillett has a great sense of humor and always kept us engaged during 8 a.m. lectures, and I have learned about so many new types of visualizations and R packages in STAT 436 that I feel prepared to make a variety of visualizations in the real world.”
- “I also loved being Secretary of the Data Science Club and contributing to the student community. Besides the annual data hackathon, my favorite events were the dotData socials where I got to connect with other peers in Statistics, Data Science, and Computer Science,” she added.
- “I would like to thank the fantastic Data Science advisors who helped me make both studying abroad and graduating a semester early possible with our combined planning efforts.”
What’s next: “Currently, I plan on working full-time in data governance or quality in the Appleton area. In the future, I would love to continue learning languages and move abroad.”
Clarity Kummer, BS Statistics
Clarity Kummer is the first to admit she struggled academically when she started attending UW–Madison. However, after she changed her major from Neurobiology to Statistics, she said, “I was able to rewrite my academic narrative.”
Set to graduate with a BS in Statistics and a Mathematics Certificate, Kummer has found an academic and professional home in the realm of data analysis. She also recently completed an internship at Best Buy, using statistical techniques to conduct merchandising and demand planning analysis, and has a bright future ahead with the company.
Program highlights:
- “While I’ve been fortunate to have incredible professors across the board, a few stand out for their lasting impact on my undergraduate journey: Chelsey Green, Keith Levin, John Gillett, and Panduan An. They have all gone beyond their roles as educators and have become inspiring mentors who have shaped my academic path.”
- “Chelsey Green transformed my relationship with statistics. Her passion for the field is infectious. Because of her enthusiasm, I made the leap from Neurobiology to Statistics—a decision that, while initially daunting, has been the most rewarding shift of my life. I will forever be grateful to her for bringing her full passion and expertise to the classroom every single day.”
- “[Assistant] Professor Keith Levin has had the greatest impact on me during my time at UW–Madison. Beyond the classroom, he has been a mentor, meeting with me even when I wasn’t his student, always providing guidance and support. As I prepare to apply for graduate school, his advice to step outside my comfort zone, embrace challenges, and believe in my potential has been invaluable.”
- “Panduan An is also an exceptional teacher. She shows up extremely prepared for each lecture, encourages in-class engagement, and emphasizes realistic problem-solving and application.”
- “Additionally, I would love to thank my Academic Advisor, Carmela Diosana. She has been instrumental in helping me navigate my undergraduate experience in the Statistics Department. I surely would not be graduating anytime soon without her. Carmela: Thank you for your patience, advice, and endless support throughout my academic journey.”
What’s next: “I am currently applying to graduate school and am eager to pursue a career in statistical research in academia. In the meantime, I will be heading to Minneapolis to work full-time in data analytics for Best Buy.”
Congratulations to all of the fall 2024 graduates of the Department of Statistics!
To learn more about our undergraduate degrees and certificates, visit our Programs page.