What happens when students are given the opportunity to tackle real-world challenges, work alongside experienced researchers, and discover what they are capable of achieving? For students in Virginia Tech's Data Science for the Public Good (DSPG) Program, the answer can be transformative.

First offered in 2020 by Virginia Tech's Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, in partnership with Virginia Cooperative Extension and Virginia State University, DSPG provides undergraduate and graduate students with hands-on research experiences through its Young Scholars Program. Supported by grant funding through 2027, the program brings students, faculty, and community partners together to use data science to address challenges in agriculture, rural communities, and public policy. Along the way, students develop technical, analytical, and communication skills while learning how research can inform decisions and improve quality of life.

For Sara Bako Bagassa, an undergraduate student at Berea College, that opportunity led to a summer of research, new skills, and an accomplishment she never expected: winning the Best Undergraduate Paper Award for "The impact of data centers on local economies" at the Kentucky Economic Association (KEA) conference.

"We are incredibly proud of Sara and her achievement. What makes this particularly rewarding is seeing how the experience she gained through our DSPG program continues to contribute to her success beyond the program. Sara brought intellectual curiosity, dedication, and a willingness to tackle timely yet challenging real-world problems during the summer. Her success embodies exactly what we hope to achieve through DSPG — not simply equipping students with technical skills, but empowering them to become confident, independent thinkers and researchers who can harness data science to make a meaningful difference. Seeing our students grow, succeed, and make an impact beyond the program is one of the most rewarding aspects of DSPG!"

- Le Wang, Kohl Centre Director, David M. Kohl Chair, and Professor

In Sara's own words:

Presenting at the Kentucky Economic Association (KEA) conference was an experience that almost didn't happen. Honestly, I almost didn’t present. I looked at the list of schools and presenters and felt intimidated. But I reminded myself that a comfort zone is not a growth zone, and one of my goals this year was to stop putting limits on myself, so presenting was a way to remove some of them. When I finally decided to present, my goal was not to win an award. It was to get more experience, hear real feedback, and share my work with people who cared enough to listen.

Little did I know that the experience would end with receiving the Best Undergraduate Paper Award. This was my first research paper, so saying that I was surprised to have won the award would be an understatement. Even now, I still can't believe it! Beyond the excitement of receiving the recognition, it meant a lot to me personally and academically. It reassured me that I do belong in research and, in a way, it quieted that little voice that sometimes asks, "Are you sure you can do this?" and replaced it with: "Put in the work, try, and you'll find out."

I have always wanted to do work that positively impacts other people, which is why I was so excited about the topic during DSPG. I felt that the research had a purpose beyond the academic experience itself. Receiving this award was very encouraging because it showed me that work I genuinely cared about could also be recognized academically. It has definitely motivated me to continue exploring research.

Looking back, my experience with DSPG played an important role in preparing me for the conference. The DSPG program was rigorous and extremely valuable. I learned so much, from the technical skills needed to conduct the analysis, to the economics/econometrics knowledge required to develop the models, to the communication skills needed to share the work with others.

The weekly progress reports in particular helped me a lot. They were quite intimidating at first because we had to present our progress to a diverse audience, including professors, students, and policy advisors. However, with time and practice, I became increasingly comfortable sharing what I was working on. I also learned how to translate a complex research process into concise, informative explanations that different audiences could understand. Those weekly presentations were great preparation for KEA. By the time I presented at the conference, I had already developed the confidence and communication skills needed to discuss my research, explain my approach, and engage with questions and feedback.

Another important part of that journey was the support I received from the DSPG team. My DSGP faculty mentor and our program director, in particular, provided so much support through their guidance, feedback, and encouragement. One thing that made a big difference was how they believed in my ability, sometimes even before I fully believed in it myself. They provided critical feedback and guidance throughout the process, and even after the summer ended, Dr. Cary, for example, remained open to offering advice and mentorship when I reached out.

That continued support meant a lot to me. It made me realize that the DSPG experience did not end when the summer program was over. I left the program with not just new skills but also mentors who continued to encourage my growth and development as a young researcher. That encouragement helped me develop the confidence to take on the challenge of writing a research paper and trust that I was capable of seeing it through.