Image
Meet your 25-26 Statistics Ambassadors!
The Department of Statistics at the University of Illinois is home to a group of exceptional graduate student leaders known as the Illinois Statistics MS Ambassadors. These passionate and driven individuals are committed to fostering a welcoming and supportive environment for new and prospective students while showcasing the exciting opportunities within the field of statistics.
Jackson Bunte
My name is Jackson, and I began my MS: Statistics degree in the Fall 2025 semester. Outside of the classroom, I enjoy traveling, including my study abroad trip, trying new recipes, and watching big games with friends.
I previously attended NC State University and received a BS in Statistics degree before going to work in the pharmaceuticals industry for 2.5 years. Being able to apply what I learned in the classroom in a real-world setting, especially one that helps people, was very rewarding for me. However, I felt I had more area to grow both within the industry setting and as a statistician as a whole, which is why I decided to return to school.
One thing that initially drew me to statistics is that it's applicable everywhere! Every company and every field needs the work of statisticians to analyze data to develop insight or create predictions based on the findings. Personally, I've worked with pharmaceutical, educational, sports, and financial data for various projects and jobs, but there are limitless opportunities available to us. Part of the reason I chose UIUC for graduate school is the flexibility in class decisions we can make for ourselves. Courses with a focus in actuarial studies, baseball, machine learning, and a rotating topics course, there are plenty of opportunities to tailor your degree to your interests!
Hubert Witkos
Image
Hello, my name is Hubert Witkos and I am second year master's student in the statistics program here at the University of Illinois. My background is in mathematics, which I completed a bachelor's degree in from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In my free-time I enjoy being outdoors, with some of my favorite activities being skiing, hiking, and playing tennis.
Why did you choose to pursue a M.S. in Statistics at the University of Illinois?
I chose to pursue my master's at the University of Illinois because I always enjoyed studying mathematics, and I personally believe statistics is one of the most useful, if not the most useful, branch of mathematics. Statistics is a very versatile tool which is used in many academic as well as practical pursuits such as machine learning and actuarial science. I chose to study at the University of Illinois because the professors here are some of the best in the world, and I am from Chicago, so I would not have to move very far to receive my education.
What advice would you give to prospective as well as current students?
The University of Illinois is a wonderful institution with many resources and opportunities, and I would encourage everybody to utilize those resources and to get involved on campus as much as possible. We are here to learn, grow, and develop, and that can only happen if we step out of our comfort-zones, so I would encourage everybody to try new things and meet as many new people as possible. There are many great clubs and great people here, and I encourage you to seek them out and make the most of your short time here.
Sam Switz
Image
I joined the M.S. in Statistics program in the Fall of 2025. I received my undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia where I majored in Economics and Statistics, and I worked as a Data Analyst for a couple of years before coming back to school. Outside of the classroom, I spend my time rooting for the Boston sports teams and playing soccer.
What drew you to pursuing a graduate degree in Statistics?
As a Data Analyst in industry, I got to work with super cool datasets and solve real-world problems, which was very rewarding. However, I eventually realized that projects I was being assigned were mostly data manipulation work and did not involve using the data to test hypotheses or predict outcomes, which was something I became very interested in during my last couple of years as an undergrad. This led me to apply to master’s programs so I could further my knowledge of statistics/machine learning and better position myself for the career opportunities I’m interested in.