Mentoring to Achieve Diversity in Graduate Programs

ABSTRACT

The discipline of statistics has a celebrated, diverse, and colorful past.  With a definite international flavor, we continue to make great strides in keeping our discipline relevant and accessible for addressing significant societal concerns. Unfortunately, we lag behind many other disciplines when it comes to fully tapping into the potential of all demographic groups within the United States.  Mentoring provides one of many opportunities to change this narrative. This article looks at hard numbers related to diversity, points to some existing successful mentoring programs, and is a reflection of lessons learned through personal experiences.

KEYWORDS:

• African-American and Hispanic mathematical and statistical scientists
• Challenges and Opportunities in Mentoring
• ENAR Fostering Diversity in Biostatistics
• Infinite Possibilities Conference
• JSM Diversity Workshop and Mentoring Program
• Math Alliance
• Number of doctoral degrees earned, by citizenship, gender, race, and ethnicity
• StatFest

Acknowledgment

I thank the many mentors (too many to list) who have planted seeds in my life, kept me hydrated and nourished, and provided sunshine or an umbrella according to what I needed when I needed it. Your efforts are most appreciated and this article would not exist without you.