Healthcare strategist and economics instructor earns Master’s in Applied Statistics, Analytics & Data Science, has future plans to teach full-time

Dylan Arndt, Assistant Vice President of Healthcare Strategy for Kaufman Hall and online economics instructor, graduated from KU this May with a Master of Science in Applied Statistics, Analytics & Data Science. Arndt chose to pursue his master’s at KUEC because of KU’s academic reputation and the ability to earn a degree while working full time.

“KUEC exceeded both my personal and academic needs. Course information was always clear and easy to follow. The instructors – even though courses were online – found ways to reach students through a combination of discussion assignments, office hours, and recorded lectures.”

Find out more about Dylan and what he learned at KU.

What is a typical day in your life like?

I spend most of my time analyzing hospital prices and reimbursements, and then assisting clients with making strategic decisions based on the analysis I deliver. Depending on the time of year, I might also hold online lectures or office hours in the evening where I teach undergraduate students on the principles of microeconomics. 

What makes you the happiest?

Nothing makes me happier than working through a complicated problem or developing a product that helps others more easily interpret information. 

What motivates you?

I am always thinking about how my actions today will impact the future for not only myself but my loved ones.  

Why did you choose KU and the Edwards Campus?

Studying through the KU Edwards Campus allowed for me to pursue a world-class education while also giving me the opportunity to continue my career in analytics and consulting full time. 

How did KUEC meet your personal and/or academic needs?

KUEC exceeded both my personal and academic needs. Course information was always clear and easy to follow. The instructors – even though courses were online – found ways to reach students through a combination of discussion assignments, office hours, and recorded lectures. 

How has your degree prepared you for the future? 

The courses I completed to earn my degree exposed me to several analytical tools and relevant software packages that I have already added to my professional toolkit. This knowledge has helped improve my efficiency as a lead healthcare analytics consultant while also preparing me for interview questions I may have to answer in the future. 

What was the most difficult part of earning your college degree and how did you overcome it?

The MS in Applied Statistics & Analytics program introduces students to many different statistical software programs. This provides a great opportunity to gain exposure to new options when carrying out an analysis, but it can be challenging to troubleshoot errors on your own if an application is new to you. This is where I found the discussion boards and office hours particularly useful. The discussion boards were almost always active with questions, tips, and other useful insight from my peers and instructors.   

What is your proudest accomplishment?

My proudest accomplishment to date was finding the resolve to move to Vietnam and then Thailand after concluding my studies in economics in 2013. The circumstances associated with moving to a new country with language and cultural barriers challenged me in ways that I have not been challenged since.    

What is your favorite memory of your time at KUEC?

My favorite memory was passing the comprehensive exam. There was a lot of build-up and anticipation leading into the exam. It was a rewarding experience and it helped tie everything I learned in the program together. 

What are your long-term career goals and how do you plan to achieve them?

In the short-term, I want to continue working my way up in the healthcare analytics and consulting world; however, in the long-term, I am working toward transitioning to teaching economics and statistics full time.

What advice would you give others who are thinking of earning a degree, whether a first-time bachelor’s, a second bachelor’s or a master’s?

Higher education is about so much more than just absorbing information. It’s about honing your mind in such a way that will enable you to understand concepts and think critically on those concepts in ways that you otherwise wouldn’t. 

If you have the opportunity to pursue higher education and you have found a program that is aligned with your interests and passions, I strongly encourage you to take full advantage. 

Learn more about KU’s Master of Science in Applied Statistics, Analytics & Data Science.