Students to provide free statistical consulting to local nonprofit groups, town governments
Nonprofit groups and town governments in Western Massachusetts struggling to make sense of large amounts of data can now receive free statistical consulting from Statistics in the Community (STATCOM), a campus-based volunteer organization.
As their debut project, members of the group met with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission July 17 to discuss the analysis of traffic data collected between Springfield, Hartford and Boston, with the goal of predicting which bus and commuter rail service times will be most effective.
The Five Colleges chapter of STATCOM, operated by graduate and undergraduate students, can provide advice and assistance on a wide variety of issues, everything from interpreting the results of a survey on zoning changes to the effectiveness of a public health campaign. STATCOM members can design and analyze surveys, identify trends in data and make predictions and projections. Potential clients, including public libraries, schools and community programs, can contact the group at statcom@math.umass.edu.
Founded during the spring semester under the guidance of Michael Lavine, professor of Mathematics and Statsitics, the chapter has grown to include 14 students from campus and another from Mount Holyoke College.
The Five Colleges chapter is part of the STATCOM network, founded at Purdue University in 2001 with the mission of providing pro bono statistical consulting to local nonprofit groups and governments. A vital part of the service is that it aims to have a positive impact on communities and the institutions that serve them.
While STACOM is a boon for communities, it is also a plus for the students. “Employers look for statisticians who have “textbook knowledge” and experience working with clients on specific problems,” says STACOM member and UMass Amherst doctoral student David Resendes. “This gives us the chance to gain real world experience while completing our regular coursework.”
One of the strengths of the group is its diversity. Resendes has a strong interest in politics, and how the political climate affects the middle and lower classes. STATCOM member and master’s degree candidate Boxun Zhang has a background in the life sciences and biostatistics, and is currently managing and analyzing data for the School of Public Health and Health Sciences.
While their backgrounds may be different, all of the students share a strong commitment to community service. “We got interested in STATCOM because we believe it will give us the opportunity to help those in need by assisting the nonprofits and government agencies that they depend on,” says Resendes.
July 23, 2008.
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