The Department of Statistics is pleased to share that Professor Susu Zhang, on behalf of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee, has been awarded a $25,000 grant through the PURSUE LAS (Program for Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Exploration) initiative to support the continued growth of the David H. Blackwell Summer Scholars Program. Professor Zhang, who co-chairs the department’s DEI Committee alongside Professor Kit Clement, will use this funding to expand access to undergraduate research opportunities and strengthen pathways to graduate study in statistics, data science, and related fields.
Now entering its sixth year, the Blackwell Summer Scholars Program has become a cornerstone of the department’s efforts to broaden participation in research. The eight-week summer program brings together undergraduate students from a range of majors who have foundational training in statistics and an interest in pursuing advanced study. Through faculty-mentored research projects, mini-courses in mathematical statistics and R programming, and a series of professional development seminars and panels, participants gain both technical skills and a clearer understanding of graduate education and research careers.
The PURSUE LAS initiative is designed to expand access to high-impact undergraduate research experiences across the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. This award will directly support key components of the Blackwell program, including graduate teaching assistants who lead skill-building mini-courses and provide hands-on research support, as well as stipends and meal assistance for undergraduate scholars. By helping offset these costs, the grant enables the program to remain accessible to a broader group of students, including those who may otherwise face barriers to participating in unpaid or under-resourced research experiences.
Named in honor of David H. Blackwell, a pioneering mathematician and the first African American to earn a Ph.D. in Mathematics from UIUC, the program continues to emphasize both academic excellence and access. Since 2021, the program has supported nearly 40 students, many of whom have gone on to pursue further research, graduate study, or interdisciplinary work that builds on their summer experience.
With support from PURSUE LAS, the department anticipates modest growth in the program’s reach while maintaining its focus on close mentorship and meaningful research engagement. The 2026 cohort will run from June 15 through August 7 and will conclude with the annual Blackwell Summer Scholars Symposium, where students present their research to the department and invited guests.
This award strengthens the Blackwell program and the department’s commitment to expanding access to research and graduate pathways in the statistical sciences.