Multiple Department of Statistics faculty, staff, and students have been named recipients of the LAS Impact Award for recognizing inspiring efforts during COVID-19. Recognizing the dedication and efforts of LAS faculty, staff, and students during the COVID-19 pandemic, the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences has named more than 500 recipients of the LAS Impact Award. The LAS Impact Award is awarded individually or to a group based on the nominations received from peers familiar with the nominee’s efforts during the pandemic. The contributions of the nominees range from: innovative approaches to online learning, creating innovative ways to stay connected, and leading pandemic related research breakthroughs. The LAS Impact Award represents the excellence that is displayed across campus from everyone working to make the best of a terrible situation.

The following Statistics recipients were recognized for their tremendous efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic:

STUDENTS

  • Ashley Grudzinski (STAT + CS Major): For dedicating her extra time during the pandemic to developing tools to help other Illini in finding careers after graduation.
  • Kelsey Libert ( Psych Major/STAT Student Employee): For actively contributing to research related to expanding our understanding of the effects of the pandemic.
  • STAT 100 Course Assistant Team: For helping thousands of undergraduate students learn statistics online by serving as tutors who make statistics understandable, fun, and accessible to all. Catherine Arreazola, Riley Burgoon, Amber Dorn, Ashley Grudzinski, Tamun Hanjra, Kelsey Libert, Aarthi Mahesh, Atharv Pathak, Cheyenne Petersen, Miah Phillips, Jonas Reger, & Sharon Wang
  • Tamun Hanjra (Psych Major/STAT Student Employee): For fostering an environment of positivity and optimism while working to help students with STAT 100.

FACULTY

  • Jeff Douglas: For working diligently to help the college plan for teaching and learning under COVID-19 starting in Fall 2021. (LAS COVID-19 Fall Planning Group)
  • Bo Li: For working many extra hours over the 2020 summer to ensure that the 2020-21 academic year got off to a good start.(LAS Fall 2020 Implementation Team)
  • Albert Yu: For looking out for the health and success of students during the semester.
  • Karle Flanagan: For setting the Illini standard through her unparalleled kindness and compassion to her students and staff during the pandemic, and innovations in teaching and curriculum delivery.

STAFF

  • Jennifer Anderson Bliss: For serving as a Life + Career Design community coach in support of students' well-being and career readiness goals during the pandemic. (Life + Career Design Community Coaches)
  • Aaron Thompson: For responding to individual needs of students in an effective, supportive, prompt, and encouraging manner despite an increase in demands because of the pandemic.

The full list of award recipients can be viewed here: LAS Impact Award

*Updated 5/26/2021