Integrate Innovation and Entreprenuerial Mindset Spring 2025 Carlsen Center Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Project Name: Applied Statistics Capstone-From Classroom to Career

Reflection

As a faculty member teaching statistics, I observed that students nearing graduation often struggle to articulate how their coursework translates into real-world skills. They lack opportunities to apply statistical theory to interdisciplinary, messy data problems, and to develop a portfolio that showcases their work. This gap becomes a barrier when applying for jobs or graduate programs, as students cannot demonstrate applied competencies or communication skills.

My goal is to support upper-division statistics majors—especially first-generation students and those underrepresented in STEM—by providing a culminating course that integrates theory, computing, communication, and collaboration. The strategy involves project-based learning grounded in real data, active mentoring, and optional community partnerships to promote civic and professional engagement.

The solution is a capstone course that simulates professional practice. Students will work on semester-long projects that emphasize technical rigor, ethical considerations, and clear communication to diverse audiences. To test this model, I will pilot the course with 1–2 sections, gather student feedback, assess final deliverables using a rubric, and invite feedback from potential community or industry partners.

Learning the Lean Canvas framework helped me identify root problems, consider the unique value this course offers, and clearly define target outcomes. It pushed me to think not only about curriculum, but about value, sustainability, and scale. Lean Canvas brought clarity and focus to the course design process.

Plans

Over the next 3–5 years, I plan to pilot, refine, and institutionalize the capstone course. I will collect data to improve pedagogy, explore formal partnerships for community-engaged projects, and seek internal or external funding to support students and guest speakers. Eventually, I hope this capstone becomes a signature experience for statistics majors and a model for interdisciplinary collaboration across campus.

Completed Lean Canvas

One-Minute Pitch:

Applied Statistics Capstone is a culminating course experience for upper-division statistics majors that integrates real-world data analysis, communication, and collaboration skills, enabling them to confidently showcase their applied work for careers or graduate school opportunities.

**Faculty Bio**
Faculty Image	About me:
Jas Pannu	I am an Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at California State University, Sacramento, where I have been teaching since Fall 2019. I earned my M.S. in Mathematics from Eastern Michigan University, where my love for exploring different kinds of data began. This passion led me to pursue a Ph.D. in Statistics at Auburn University, where I discovered my enthusiasm for teaching, research, and consulting. I am deeply involved in mentoring students and have participated in numerous professional learning communities focused on enhancing equity in STEM education. I always strive to create inclusive and engaging learning experiences for my students. I am also passionate about community building and service-learning projects, where I connect students with real-world applications of statistics. Outside of academia, I love to cook, watch movies, and socialize. I cherish spending time with my two young children- Sifti and Pernam, finding joy in our everyday adventures.