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Meet your 23-24 Statistics Ambassadors!
The Department of Statistics at the University of Illinois is home to a group of exceptional student leaders known as the Illinois Statistics 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. In this blog post, we will introduce you to some of these outstanding ambassadors and learn about their experiences, passions, and valuable advice for freshmen.
Jessica Abraham
Class of 2025
Major: Statistics
Minor: Business
I am a junior majoring in Statistics with a minor in Business Administration. In my free time, I like to dance and try new TV shows. A fun fact about me is that I was born in London!
What advice would you give to your freshman self?
One piece of advice I would give is to not be afraid to reach out and talk to people. It's important to remember that all freshmen are in the same boat, navigating new experiences and challenges. You'll be amazed at how much you grow and learn when you open up to others. So, don't hesitate because who knows you might find your closest lifelong friends during your freshman year!
Alyssa Anastasi
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Class of 2025
Major: Statistics
Minors: Computer Science, Public Health
Hello, my name is Alyssa and I am an upcoming junior in Statistics with minors in Computer Science and Public Health. I am passionate about ensuring public health data is accessible to everyone, and I hope to use my Statistics degree to fill that gap. On campus, I am involved as a course assistant for STAT 107. Outside of academics, I love roller blading, scrapbooking, and reading.
What advice would you give to your freshman self?
It’s okay to not be 100% decided on what you want to do. Take any classes, join any RSO, and take any opportunities on topics that interest you even a little bit, and you could discover that you love it, and meet some amazing people. There is so much to do here, and it’s so important to take advantage of everything Illinois has to offer in your first year!
Muskan Bhatla
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Class of 2024
Major: Statistics
Minors: Computer Science, Economics
While a majority of people see statistics as math, numbers, and coding, in my eyes, statistics is an art form. You substitute your keyboard for your brush and your computer as your canvas. Similar to painting, in statistics, there are endless opportunities. One stroke, or type, can take you to a whole new perspective. To me, numbers are the ultimate form of truth. In essence, a method of proof. This frequent urge to seek the truth and realistic viewpoint of the world steered me towards a future in statistics.
After deep exploration of the field through internships and volunteer opportunities throughout high school as well as college, I have figured out that statistics is merely a tool for innovation. Similar to a calculator, it would have no use if it weren’t implemented to solve a problem. Additionally, with a fundamental knowledge of statistics, I am able to use those skills and apply them to work in a more interdisciplinary environment. I have taken steps towards pursuing the application of statistics in various other fields by minoring in Econometrics and Computer Science. I have truly taken advantage of the opportunities that this department provides by meeting a variety people in my major as well as being a Course Assistant for Biostatistics. I believe that with the environment and support provided by Illinois, I have been able to become a leader who will use the statistics to pave the path to solve many problems.
Logan Blancett
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Class of 2026
Majors: Statistics and Actuarial Science
Minor: Computer Science
I am a sophomore this year double majoring in Statistics and Actuarial Science while completing a Computer Science minor! I am expected to graduate in 2026 and most likely pursue a master's degree. Some of my favorite hobbies include collecting and playing retro video games and following baseball. This year I am involved with the Sports Analytics Society, Statistics Club, and I am currently an RA in FAR!
What advice would you give to your freshman self?
One huge piece of advice that I wish I could've told myself freshman year is to not expect to have all the answers! I came into freshman year believing that I had my whole 4 years here planned out already, only for all of my plans to change very quickly. It's okay to wait and see what you enjoy!
Bella Cruz
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Class of 2024
Major: Statistics & Computer Science
Hi everyone! My name is Bella Cruz, and I am a senior majoring in Stats & CS. On campus, I am a member of Women’s Glee Club and the music service sorority, Sigma Alpha Iota. I am also a course assistant for CS 233. In my free time, I love singing, reading, and hanging out with friends. I enjoy teaching and helping other students, so feel free to reach out to me for any help in calculus, statistics, and/or computer science.
What advice would you give to your freshman self?
I would tell myself that it’s okay to not get everything done in one day. Sometimes, your mental battery is only at 40%, and it’s okay to take a rest and sacrifice some things to improve your health. Or you can work as hard as you can but acknowledge that some days the best you can give is only 40%. It’s important to accept and embrace your mental health, and look out for yourself.
Michael Escobedo
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Class of 2024
Major: Statistics
Minor: Informatics
Hi! My name is Michael Escobedo, and I am pursuing a degree in Statistics with a minor in Informatics. On campus, I am primarily involved with undergraduate research in baseball and youth outreach in the Illinois Geometry Lab. I also have a major passion for mixed martial arts, so I have also been involved in the taekwondo and boxing clubs here at Illinois. Outside of school, I enjoy watching anime, cosplaying, and traveling.
What advice would you give to your freshman self?
Creating opportunities for yourself starts inside the classroom. Taking the time to invest in your classes and skill set, and learning to communicate well with your classmates and professors are crucial to success. Outside of the classroom, do not hesitate to pursue your passions. There are many activities for you to participate in and taking these up can help create an ideal lifestyle for yourself.
Rachael Gu
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Class of 2025
Major: Statistics
Minor: Computer Science
Hi, my name is Rachael and I am a junior majoring in statistics with a minor in computer science. I like to dance and go out to eat with my friends outside of school.
What advice would you give to your freshman self?
Definitely take advantage of office hours! Office hours are not only a great opportunity to get to know your professors, but also a great way to get study tips and help on homework assignments.
Botao Huang
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Class of 2024
Majors: Statistics, Econometrics & Quantitative Economics
Minor: Business
I am a senior majoring in Statistics and Econometrics and minoring in Business. I enjoy singing, swimming, playing badminton, and working out. Making people laugh is a lifelong pursuit of mine, and I am planning to become a financial analyst to help me prepare for future investment-related jobs.
What advice would you give to your freshman self?
Preparation before course registration is essential in college, especially for courses offered in the Statistics department, as they require thorough exploration prior to the actual registration process. It is important to take the time to explore the core components of each course and determine your eventual goals before entering this field.
Jieruo Li
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Class of 2025
Major: Statistics
Hi! My name is Jieruo Li and I am a Junior majoring in Statistics with an interest in Philosophy. I enjoy playing tennis, reading books, and cooking in my free time.
What advice would you give to your freshman self?
Planning ahead and actively looking for opportunities. I lost a lot of time in my freshman year trying to learn from my peers and recognize the need to develop statistical skills outside the classroom. Planning ahead not only gives you more time to do well on your tasks but also helps you explore opportunities that others might have missed.
Ruihan (Rita) Liu
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Class of 2024
Majors: Statistics and Economics
Minor: Mathematics
Hi! I'm a senior pursuing major in Statistics and Economics with a minor in Mathematics. I love capturing moments through photography and enjoy exploring ancient artworks and swimming in my free time.
What advice would you give to your freshman self?
Take the time to explore the activities around campus as there are numerous opportunities and experiences awaiting you in your first year. Whether you have plans for graduate school or entering the workforce after graduation, it's crucial to plan ahead. Not all the skills you need for work can be acquired on campus. Hence, it is never too early to gather information and proactively acquire the skills that may prove invaluable in shaping your future.
Lily Olson
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Class of 2024
Majors: Statistics and Political Science
My name is Lily Olson and I am a senior majoring in Statistics and Political Science. I anticipate to graduate in May of 2024 followed by a gap year exploring a career in Statistics before attending law school. On campus, I am also involved as a member of the Fighting Illini Swimming & Diving team as well as my sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta. In my free time, I love to engage with new art and music, keep up with current events, and explore/travel to new places.
What advice would you give to your freshman self?
The advice I would give to my freshman self would be to not hesitate to explore your interests early on and to not be daunted by the things or paths that are notoriously “hard.” I added Statistics as my second major at the end of my sophomore year despite recognizing my deep interest in the subject during my freshman year. I was scared of the challenge of a STEM major that was so widely talked about so hesitated in taking action, but in reality it would have been easier for me if I had taken action earlier. There are so many resources on this campus and professors truly want you to be successful and understand the material for your future career. My best advice is to just pursue your interests and not overthink it.
Mia Paelmo
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Class of 2025
Major: Statistics
Hello! My name is Mia Paelmo and I’m a junior majoring in Statistics and planning to add a Public Health minor! On campus, I’m involved in Women in Computer Science and I participate in the Mindfulness Movement dance RSO. In addition to being a statistics ambassador, I stay involved in the Statistics Department as a course assistant for the introductory data science course known as DISCOVERY (STAT 107). Outside of school and studying, I’m a big foodie (I love to try new restaurants and foods), I like to travel, and I enjoy spending time with my friends. I’m so excited to be an ambassador this semester and I look forward to working with all prospective and new Stat majors!!
What advice would you give to your freshman self?
I think the best advice I would give my past self would be to just get involved as much as you can! College is all about trying new things and finding your passions, and there are hundreds of RSOs and other orgs on campus that will expose you to so many interests! I would tell my freshman self to not be so self-conscious about what RSOs to join, if there’s something that interests you, then join the club! You can always leave if you don’t end up liking it, but don’t be afraid to put yourself out there!!
Tanya Wang
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Class of 2024
Majors: Statistics and Economics
Hi! My name is Tanya Wang, and I am a senior student studying Statistics and Economics. I really enjoy skiing, and whenever I have the opportunity, I love to embark on exciting journeys to various mountains for skiing adventures during my vacations.
What advice would you give to your freshman self?
The advice I would give to anyone considering a major in statistics and focusing on data science is to start learning programming languages as soon as possible, which is an essential skill in data science, and mastery of at least one programming language is required to be successful in this field. You can sign up for classes that cover programming or data analysis or look for related videos online. In addition, you can gain hands-on experience by working on projects or contributing to open-source projects, such as those offered by Kaggle.
Mingli Xu
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Class of 2024
Majors: Statistics and Actuarial Science
I am a senior majoring in Statistics & Actuarial Science. I’m also an international student from China. A fun fact about me is that I am from the hometown of the panda. Educationally, I’m interested in pursuing a career in actuarial science with a focus on data analysis. In my free time, I enjoy reading comics, playing badminton, and baking.
What advice would you give to your freshman self?
Nothing is embarrassing unless you feel embarrassed by it. Never be afraid to make mistakes as you experience the “unknown” as a freshman.