Five students have been selected as Lender Fellows to collaborate with the Data Warriors project, an initiative aimed at enhancing math and data literacy among students in the Syracuse City School District (SCSD). This program empowers high school students to engage with pressing community issues through mathematical analysis and data-driven research.
The selected fellows will work under the guidance of Nicole Fonger, an associate professor of mathematics and mathematics education at Syracuse University. Fonger is also the 2025-27 Lender Center for Social Justice faculty fellow. The project, initiated in 2021, now comprises 21 researchers from two SCSD high schools who analyze various social challenges, including housing conditions and lead poisoning.
Lauren Ashby, a doctoral student in sociology, is among the selected fellows. Ashby, who has been part of the Data Warriors program for four years, uses qualitative methods, including ethnography and GIS mapping, to investigate issues of segregation and inequality. She brings personal experience as a graduate of SCSD, enhancing her commitment to the program.
Another fellow, Meghavarshini Iska, a dual major in economics and international relations, is actively involved in promoting women’s health through her foundation in Zambia. Iska’s leadership skills are further demonstrated by her role as a student ambassador and participation in the Renée Crown University Honors Program.
The group also includes Camilla McAskin, who studies policy and law, and has founded a chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters. Shameen Fatima, a master’s student in communication, focuses on mental health narratives, while Shavonne Jacobs, majoring in information management, explores the intersection of technology and environmental science.
The Data Warriors project equips high school students with the skills necessary to conduct research that addresses community issues, such as car thefts and income disparities. Their aim is to become community-engaged scholars who can effectively communicate their findings to local government officials.
Recently, students and teachers from the program attended a lecture and performance by mathematician and musician Eugenia Cheng at Hendricks Chapel. Cheng’s presentation, titled “The Logic of Creativity: Music, Mathematics and Expression,” was part of the School of Education’s Ganders Lecture Series.
The fellows will present their research on lead poisoning at the Association of Mathematics Teachers of New York State conference in Rochester this month, sharing their insights and findings with a broader audience. This initiative not only fosters academic growth but also highlights the crucial role of data in driving social change within the community.
