Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ

Taking data analysis into the Dickinson community and beyond

Launched in 2024, Dickinson’s Q-Fellows program is giving students a hands-on way to apply data analytics, modeling and visualization to real-world challenges—on campus and beyond.

Supported by the alumni-funded Quantitative Experiential Learning Fund and coordinated by the Quantitative Reasoning Center, the program connects undergraduate fellows with faculty, staff and community partners seeking help with data-driven projects.

“This is a powerful program for a few reasons,” says Associate Professor of Biology Dana Somers, the director of the Quantitative Reasoning Center. “The Q-Fellows program provides students opportunities to practice and refine data-analysis techniques outside of the classroom, while gaining transferrable skills including critical thinking, communication, professionalism and teamwork.”

Each Q-Fellow works closely with a project partner, gaining mentorship and experience in applied quantitative research while helping advance campus and community goals. So far, projects have ranged from faculty workload modeling to AV equipment planning, writing center scheduling, career outcomes analysis and nonprofit impact evaluation.

Real Projects, Real Impact

Anne Pham ’26 (mathematics, computer science) used her programming and analytical skills to tackle two major campus projects: automating the tutor scheduling system at the Norman M. Eberly Writing Center and analyzing student outcomes for the Center for Career Development.

“These experiences weren’t just about coding or crunching numbers,” Pham says. “They taught me how to collaborate, adapt and grow. Switching [programming] languages mid-project was tough but taught me to pivot when things aren’t working.”

Her scheduling tool cut staff time by about 30% and helped make operations smoother. Meanwhile, the career center project deepened her ability to translate data into clear, actionable insights. “I learned to balance technical ideas with what users actually need,” she says. “This experience is pushing me toward software engineering roles, and I’m excited to apply what I’ve learned in future internships, focusing on solutions that are both smart and user-friendly.”

Amanda Altamirano ’25 (data analytics) contributed to two institutional initiatives: developing a multiyear audiovisual equipment-replacement plan and building a faculty workload model.

“These projects taught me the importance of flexibility when working with imperfect data,” Altamirano says. “I learned how to balance technical rigor with practical decision-making.”

Her budgeting model helped prioritize classroom technology upgrades, while her workload analysis offered a clearer picture of teaching and advising loads across departments—work that supports data-informed planning across the college.

Rose Nguyen ’26 (quantitative economics, data analytics) brought her data skills to the community through a partnership with Project SHARE, a local nonprofit food pantry.

“I developed a formula to convert qualitative survey responses into quantitative ones,” Nguyen explains, noting that the project helped the not-for-profit show measurable program outcomes and improve their surveys for the future. “This experience confirmed my interest in using data analytics for social impact. I found fulfillment in not just analyzing the numbers but communicating the ‘so what’ to people who care deeply about the work.”

Currently, Gracie Nguyen ’27 (quantitative economics, computer science) and Thao Nguyen ’27 (quantitative economics, data analytics) are Q-Fellows, with Gracie working on a project for the Center for Global Study & Engagement on a project for a faculty member’s research.     

A Growing Hub for Quantitative Collaboration

A bridge between data and decision-making across campus, the Q-Fellows Program is more than an internship, as faculty, staff and community partners can propose projects that explore data, trends and solutions.

The Quantitative Reasoning Center then matches each project with a fellow whose skills fit the challenge, ensuring collaboration that benefits both students and partners.

“The Q-Fellows program is truly a win-win,” says Somers. “Students gain hands-on experience applying their quantitative skills to real-world problems, and partners are able to move their projects forward. It’s a great collaborative model for turning classroom learning into practical benefit.”

Faculty, staff and community organizations interested in collaborating can submit a proposal through the Quantitative Reasoning Center. Projects don’t need to be fully formed—Q-Fellows can help define goals and shape research questions. For more information, contact Somers at somersd@dickinson.edu.

TAKE THE NEXT STEPS 

Published October 17, 2025