Shelby Tisdale

Class of 2025
Major in Statistical Science; Minor in Education with Secondary Teach Prep Program in Math; Certificate in Child Policy Research

I study statistics because I'm curious about a range of disciplines, and I am fascinated by the use of data to propel social change in the social sciences. During my time at Duke, I have worked for the Duke Center for Child and Family Policy as a Research Assistant and Administrative Assistant. I currently work as a Teaching Assistant in the Statistical Science department. I am secretary of Every Nation Campus Ministry, design editor for Crux Journal of Christian Thought, and a member of Duke LIFE. In Summer 2022, I worked as a Teaching Fellow with Breakthrough Greater Boston, where I spent my summer teaching algebra to 9th grade students from low-income backgrounds, and 2023, I interned as a Data Analyst for Pearson Digital and Technology. After Duke, I hope to teach mathematics at a high school and pursue a Ph.D. in Statistics.

Favorite Class: My favorite class at Duke was STA313, Advanced Data Visualization with Mine Cetinkaya-Rundel. With engaging lectures, homeworks that I looked forward to working on, and projects that sparked my curiosity, I was able to expand my data visualization skills far beyond what I'd initially imagined.