Caitlin Tuttle '26: From Data+ to Humanitarian Impact

Caitlin Tuttle is a senior double majoring in Statistical Science and Computer Science with a minor in Cultural Anthropology. In addition to serving as a Trinity Ambassador, she is a SPIRE Fellow — a program that helped her build a strong sense of community on campus by supporting students who have historically faced barriers to access, inclusion, or opportunity in STEM. Tuttle is interested in using statistical analysis to address humanitarian challenges. Through the Data+ program, she conducted research examining how social determinants influence measures of school success and created a website to share those findings. Outside of class, she enjoys hiking, exploring the Duke Gardens and spending time with friends. 

As her time at Duke draws to a close, we asked Tuttle to reflect on her time at Duke, the experiences that shaped her, and the lessons she hopes to carry forward after graduation. 

This interview has been edited for clarity and length. 

Looking back over the past four years, is there a small moment that didn’t seem very important at the time but was actually impactful in retrospect? 

One moment that shaped my Duke experience was applying to the SPIRE Fellowship during my first year. I remember submitting the application on the day it was due after stopping by a table where students were sharing their experiences with the program. 

That small, almost spontaneous, decision ended up having a huge impact on my time at Duke. Through SPIRE, I found a community of peers and mentors who supported me both academically and personally. It became a space where I felt encouraged to grow and where I built friendships that shaped my experience here. 

What advice would you give to your first-year self — or to an incoming first-year at Duke? 

Embrace uncertainty and try to enjoy the process instead of constantly focusing on the outcome. It can feel like you need to have everything figured out right away, but much of college is about exploring and learning as you go. 

I would also encourage first-years to say “yes” as often as they can. Duke offers so many opportunities, and staying curious and open can lead you to communities and experiences you might not have expected. 

As you prepare to graduate, what are you most grateful for from your time at Duke? 

I’m most grateful for the relationships I built during my time here. The friendships, mentors and advisors I met at Duke shaped both my academic journey and my personal growth. 

As I move into the next stage of my life, I hope to carry the lessons I learned from those relationships and the experiences we shared together.