Recruiting and Retaining Minorities in Statistics

• Activity Number: 343
• Type: Invited
• Date/Time: Wednesday, August 14, 2002 : 2:00 PM to 3:50 PM
• Sponsor: Cmte on Minorities in Statistics
• Author(s): Theda McPheron-Keel*+ and Carolyn Morgan*+ and Jose Ramirez*+ and Nagambal Shah*+ and Kimberly Weems*+
• Affiliation(s): Wind Hollow Foundation and Hampton University and W.L. Gore & Associates and Spelman College and North Carolina State University
• Keywords: Statistics Profession ; Diversity ; Underrepresented Minorities ; Workforce Issues ; Education

Abstract

Former ASA President Michael O'Fallon has said, "The diversity found in our profession is something to celebrate, I believe, because it makes us stronger and illustrates our evolutionary abilities." The diversity in our profession exists not only in areas of training, application, and in all manner of endeavors, but also in racial, ethnic, and gender backgrounds. One of the challenges that the ASA and the statistics community faces is our image in the eyes of society at large--our customers, our colleagues, our friends, our families and, subsequently, our appeal to future statisticians. We are ambassadors of the statistics profession and statistical thinking. In the light of this, the panel in this session will discuss and examine the charge of recruiting and retaining minorities--particularly, historically underrepresented minorities--in statistics and statistics-related professions. Underrepresentation of some minority groups in our profession indicates a need to expand recruiting and retention efforts. The panel will discuss issues at various levels in the educational and professional development process, as well as standpoints relevant to various minority and gender groups.