Each term the University of Illinois administers the Chancellor’s Senior Survey to all graduating seniors to better understand their experiences at Illinois. The survey addresses students’ participation in activities and services, student learning outcomes, campus climate, and satisfaction with the Illinois experience, including asking students to “name one faculty or staff member who made a positive impact on [their] experience at Illinois.”

The recent survey results identified two Statistics faculty members has having a positive impact on previously surveyed seniors. The Chancellor’s Senior Survey recognized Senior Lecturer, Alex Stepanov and Senior Instructor, David Unger for their contributions to creating a better Illinois experience for those seniors surveyed. Students mentioned over 900 faculty and staff members throughout their responses to the survey. Those mentioned more than 10 times throughout the responses received special recognition by Chancellor Robert J. Jones.

Professor Stepanov expressed his honor of the recognition by jokingly stating, “I am pretty happy that not everyone hates me,” which if you have ever been one of Alex’s student you will recognize his sense of humor being one of his defining traits. “All jokes aside, it is a really nice feeling to know that you are actually doing what your job demands behind the scenes,” he followed up with sincerity.

The student recognition in the Chancellor’s Senior Survey was flattering to David Unger, “I think most faculty and staff at Illinois would agree that the most rewarding element of our work is to learn from students that we had a positive impact on their lives.” Unger continued, “Hearing stories and these types of comments from seniors and Alumni is incredibly affirming. I’m extremely grateful to my own former instructors and current teaching and advising colleagues at Illinois for all they have shown me about being a positive influence for our budding statisticians.”

Of 38 faculty and staff who were identified by 10 or more students, the Department of Statistics is honored to be home of two of those recognized for their positive impact on graduating students.

The Senior Survey for May 2020 graduates was recently launched to those graduating this term and though the landscape of their final year has fundamentally been challenged by COVID-19, students are highly encouraged to participate in these surveys to offer valuable feedback on their Illinois experience.