On Saturday, September 23rd the Department of Statistics held the inaugural Alumni Advisory Board event. The day-long event featured an advisory session with the faculty, a panel with student-generated questions, and a breakout session for students. 

The morning portion of the event served as an opportunity for the Alumni Board members to provide input on the department's future regarding a number of topics, including curriculum, programming, industry trends, alum relations, and the industry alliance program. Faculty committee chairs gave brief presentations on the respective B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. programs while Chair Haiyan Huang updated the Board on the future of Statistics. The discourse was very productive, with faculty, alumni, and staff discussing various topics.
 
"We have such wonderful alumni that are wholly committed to the department, UC Berkeley, students, and one another," said Chair Haiyan Huang. "The day was enriching for the whole department, and we look forward to all that is to come as we near our 70th year here on campus." 

Over 50 students attended the afternoon portion of the event, which featured a panel and breakout sessions for students to speak directly with Alumni Board members. The panel focused on the Alumni Board's experiences while at Berkeley, finding a job, and advancing their careers in industry and academia. During the breakout session, students were able to network with Board members and ask specific questions regarding professional and research topics while enjoying shaved ice. Faculty, Board members, and graduate students also had a chance to meet and connect with one another during lunch on the Alumni House patio. 

The Alumni Advisory Board is made up of 15 Statistics grads from across the B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. programs. Board members represent a variety of fields and areas, including academia, tech, biostatistics, and financial firms. Going forward, the Board will continue to advise Statistics faculty, staff, and students in various capacities. 

-Alex Coughlin