Rebecca Freese ‘16 
Becca graduated with a Mathematics major and a Biology major. While at Augsburg Becca attended the SIBS (Summer Internship in BioStatistics) program at the University of Minnesota, and then went on to do a research project with Dr. Miles Ott, which lead to a publication: Distinct Coping Profiles Are Associated With Mental Health Differences in Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Adults in the Journal of Clinical Psychology. Becca is now in the Masters in BioStatistics program at the University of Minnesota, and you might occasionally find her in Lindell…
Here’s what Becca has to say:
I’m still a data science intern at Metro Transit. I’ve worked on a variety of projects, including analyzing survey data, building Shiny apps to visualize/map/model data, and helping to write internal reports and papers submitted to the TRB (yes, the same journal I submitted to the summer I was at SDSU…). I’m currently working on an application of the traveling salesman problem to optimize the routes that shelter maintenance workers take throughout their day to clean shelters. In short, I get to hang out with a bunch of smart people and play around with code in R, it’s pretty great!
This semester I’m taking Survival Analysis, Statistical Methods for Correlated Data, an intro GIS class, and am working as a TA. I will be completing my Masters this spring!
Tyler Heaps ’13
Major/Minor: Mathematics Major, Computer Science Minor
Title: Coordinator, Analytics & Research at United States Soccer Federation
Shortly after graduating from Augsburg, I began working as a data analyst for Ceridian in Minneapolis, MN. I have spent the past 2 1/2 years in their Finance department, developing sales reporting and pricing analytics for their new cloud based HCM (Human Capital Management) application.
I have recently accepted a job as Coordinator, Analytics & Research with United States Soccer Federation in Chicago, IL. To have the opportunity to combine my passion of soccer with analytics was a dream of mine when I decided to pursue mathematics at Augsburg. I am beyond excited to see how I can provide my insight through data, to help benefit the sport.
Austin Wagner ’13
Major/Minors: Mathematics major, minors in philosophy and physics
Title: Data analyst for Target Corp.
I had received a job offer from Target during my junior year after my internship that summer, and began working full time as a data analyst in June. Basically, I use data, statistics, and mathematical techniques to help Target make good business decisions.
The mathematics program at Augsburg gave me the tools to think quickly, creatively, and logically, not only through [my time in the classroom], but also through research experiences, study abroad opportunities, and conferences throughout the region.
Most importantly, I learned how to clearly explain myself to a variety of people who have wide-ranging expertise. This has easily been the most invaluable tool since I graduated. After all, the coolest analysis in the world is useless if you can’t explain to people why it’s so awesome!
Jasmine Zand ’12
Major/Minor: Mathematics, and minors in communication studies and Middle Eastern studies
Title: Analytics consultant at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
I began interning at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage in January of 2012 and I still work there as an analytics consultant. The best thing Augsburg did to prepare me for the working world was to offer an environment where people with similar aptitude and motivation could work hard and create quality results. I learned just as much inside the classroom as I did outside of it with my peers, professors, and advisers.
Ashley Gruhlke ’09
Majors: Mathematics and secondary education
Title: Math teacher at Fridley Middle School
The summer after graduating, I went to Greece (island of Crete) to get certified to teach English as a second language. Upon returning, the school year was already starting, so I was a substitute teacher in schools throughout the metro area and I taught middle school AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination, a college-readiness program aimed originally at students who are first generation college students) in Minneapolis.
From 2010-13 I taught math at Sobriety High School (Coon Rapids and Burnsville). The students were amazing and really working towards bettering themselves and overcoming their addictions. We closed our doors at the end of the 2013 school year. Now I am teaching at Fridley Middle School, working with eighth graders in regular math and advanced math.
I love introducing students to positivity with math and the idea of doing something more with their abilities. Augsburg taught me to look beyond the stereotypes and the demographics and focus on the individual. That helps me work with teens in finding what helps them not only learn but to grow. Also, Augsburg’s focus on the community and outreach impact how I view my community and the role I play in it.