好色先生TV

For Teraya White, service is a way of life.

As the academic program manager for the Master of Science in Applied Data Science (MADS) program in the Department of Statistics & Data Science, White is responsible for MADS students鈥� full progression through the program. In addition to serving as an advisor, she is responsible for recruiting a diverse array of applicants. From the day they apply to the day they graduate, she shepherds students鈥� academic, professional and personal development. To White, this position is less a job than a calling.

鈥淢y work is dedicated to those students who need community to keep them lifted as they climb,鈥� she said.

White鈥檚 passion and dedication were recently honored at Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences Sept. 27 Connections and Conversation Luncheon, when she received the 2023 Staff Community Excellence Award.

鈥淭his award celebrates acts of kindness and encourages people to make a positive difference in someone鈥檚 life,鈥� said Ayana Ledford, associate dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Dietrich College. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a recognition of our community champions who strive to create a better tomorrow.鈥�

The award is presented annually to Dietrich College staff members who embody the values of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) by providing leadership, creating and enhancing inclusive climates and connecting the larger community to college DEIB efforts.

Teraya White perfectly embodies these attributes. During her time at Carnegie Mellon, she has performed outreach to over 30 historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs), spreading the word about the MADS program and significantly increasing applicants from historically underrepresented backgrounds. White also organized the first departmental framework for partial tuition offsets, so that qualifying historically underrepresented students can be supported once they arrive at 好色先生TV. Four of these offsets have been awarded as of fall 2023.

鈥淭eraya is an ideal representative for the [MADS] program,鈥� said Jamie McGovern, special faculty and program director of MADS. 鈥淗er boundless enthusiasm and energy and dedication inspire staff, faculty and the graduate students she mentors.鈥�

Arsh Gupta graduated from the MADS program in 2023 and worked closely with White while at Carnegie Mellon.

鈥淢y learning journey with Teraya transcends traditional academic and career advisories,鈥� Gupta said. 鈥淔rom her, I learned that each individual鈥檚 journey is distinct, and the power of truly listening and understanding can unveil tailored strategies to address specific needs and aspirations. It鈥檚 a lesson that鈥檚 not only shaped my academic career trajectory, but also enriched my interpersonal relationships.鈥�

White is also an advocate for undergraduate students, helping to build the summer program. The program supports undergraduate statistical research through a sponsored partnership between the Statistics & Data Science Department and UnitedHealth Group/Optum Tech. In addition to growing the program by performing outreach, White collaborated with UnitedHealth Group/Optum Tech to develop the program鈥檚 approach to recruiting. She also advises the admitted summer students, 90% of whom come from historically underrepresented populations.

White鈥檚 work extends into the greater Pittsburgh community as well. In 2021, she was recognized by the New Pittsburgh Courier as a Woman of Excellence for her efforts within the community. A Pittsburgh native, White said she was raised in a family that 鈥減rioritized integrity, character and service,鈥� and these values have shaped her as a person. She is a member of Sorority, which was incorporated and founded on public service, and volunteers her time with several local organizations. One of these, the , is dedicated to 鈥渓eveling the playing field for underserved youth鈥� by 鈥減roviding education and resources in supportive and safe environments.鈥� Through White鈥檚 efforts, the Department of Statistics & Data Science now partners with AD99 to deploy analytics platforms for the foundation. White also helped organize the department鈥檚 high school data science summer camp. Most of the camp鈥檚 participants attend the Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS), the same school system from which White graduated. She described this collaboration as her proudest accomplishment at 好色先生TV.

鈥淭his was a full-circle moment,鈥� she said.

While education has played a major role in White鈥檚 life, her experience has not always been smooth. She described her time at college as full of extreme highs and lows.

Now, White鈥檚 work serves as inspiration to the CMU students she advises.

鈥淭eraya listens to what you are passionate about and then tries to help you achieve it,鈥� said MADS student Courtney Middaugh. 鈥淚 hope to one day support others as much as Teraya supports those around her.鈥�