Ithaca College

Contributed on behalf of Dr. Yuko Mulugetta, Chief Analytics Officer.

It is with deep gratitude and profound respect that I thank the many faculty, students, and staff across campus who made the inaugural IC Data Day on February 21st such a tremendous success.  In line with our mission and commitment, the Office of Analytics and Institutional Research (AIR) created the event to celebrate and promote a culture of data-informed decision making for student success. 

The inaugural keynote speech, “Using Data to Blast Off: Crystals, Space, and Parkinson's Disease,” was delivered by Dr. Marco Baptista, the Director of Research Programs, from The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.  The keynote was well attended – standing room only for those who arrived in Klingenstein Lounge after 9 a.m.

While my heartfelt thanks goes to all of those involved, I would like to offer special thanks to the following distinguished presenters:

Dr. Ted Galanthay (Assistant Prof., Mathematics, H&S) and his MCM (Mathematical Contest in Modeling) students: Brittany Dyer ‘18, Connor Carroll ‘18, Molly Noel ‘20, and Salvatore Puglisi ’18;

Mr. Luca Maurer (LGBT Education, Outreach & Services Program Director);

Ms. Mary Jo Watts (Learning Application Coordinator, IT) and Dr. Andrew Siefert (Statistical Modeler, AIR);

Dr. Daniel Pascoe Aguilar (Exec. Director of Career Services) and Mr. Elijah Earl (Sr. Research Analyst, AIR);

Student Panelists:  Christie Fosina ‘19, Business Administrative/Marketing with Math Minor, and Salvatore Puglisi ‘18, Math/Econ;

Associate Dean Panelists: Associate Dean David Pacun (School of Music) and Associate Dean Bryan Roberts (Park);

Faculty Panelists: Dr. Bill Tastle (Prof. & Chair, Management, BUS); Dr. Sharon Stansfield (Associate Prof. & Chair, Computer Sci., H&S); Dr. Sebastian Harenberg (Assistant Prof., Ex & Sport Sci., HSHP); and Dr. Rumit Singh Kakar (Assistant Prof., PT, HSHP).

My sincere appreciation also goes to David Prunty, Justin Madore ‘19, (Park), Margie Malepe, Pete Alario, and the IC Conference and Events staff for their professional support.  And last, but not least, my heartfelt thanks goes to Duane Corbin (Research Associate, AIR) and Jaimie Voorhees (Assistant to VP of Enrollment Management) for their expertise, professionalism, attention to detail and creativity.  Without their commitment to the event, the first IC Data Day could not have been successful.

I cannot adequately express how proud I was to see such an important data science event taking off at Ithaca College!

AIR would like to celebrate IC Data Day as an annual fall event in the future.  So if you missed IC Data Day this time, be sure not to miss the second time!   See you at IC Data Day!