Four UNM-Gallup students are participating in a University of New Mexico grant-funded program which is  allowing them to learn statistical languages and data analysis with an eye towards increasing global and human security. 

UNM-Gallup visiting faculty member Andisheh Dadashi initiated the program for her students through association with Professor Emeritus Frank Gilfeather, who is the principal investigator and consortium lead for the National Security Studies Program on the UNM main campus. Gilfeather offered Dadashi the opportunity to supervise four of her Native American students in the program that includes a six-week summer project.

Dadashi, who teaches math and statistics at the UNM-Gallup campus stated, “This project is involved with learning R statistical language which is a popular statistical language for data analysis. The aim of this program is to train students to be data analysts, researchers and computer programmers.”

Dadashi recently accompanied her students to a symposium at the UNM main campus as part of the project. Guest speakers at the symposium included representatives from New York Magazine, CIA Associate Director Sean Roche and internationally known journalists. Recruiters from agencies such as CIA and DIA were also present to talk to the students about job opportunities within the global security industry.

The four UNM-Gallup students participating in the NSSP project are Bobbi Padilla, Matthew Kaus, Astrid Carmela Gonzaga and Dane N. Henry. Dadashi notes of her students, “These students are all brilliant, intelligent, and outstanding. During the symposium, they made me proud with their presence and questions.”

Dean of Instruction Daniel Primozic is proud of Dadashi and the work of her students. “As part of the flag ship University of New Mexico, it is always exciting when our students are able to take advantage of opportunities to grow and expand their knowledge across a wide range of disciplines.  Global and human security is a very exciting field and I’m glad these four outstanding students are able to participate in Dr. Gilfeather’s program and gain exposure to career opportunities within the industry.”