Gokula Vijayakumar: Resilience in the Face of Adversity

When Gokula Vijayakumar began her Master’s in Data Science and Business Analytics at UNC Charlotte, she knew she had chosen a field full of promise — one that would challenge her intellectually and inspire her professionally. Every course became a stepping stone toward mastery, sharpening her skills in modeling, visualization, analytics, and the ethical use of data.

This past August 2025, Gokula proudly graduated, carrying with her not only advanced technical expertise but also a renewed sense of resilience.

Her coursework spanned a wide range of topics, from Visual Analytics and Applied Machine Learning to Crime Analytics and Big Data for Competitive Advantage, giving her both the practical tools and critical thinking skills to connect data science to real-world business challenges. Just as transformative were the professors who guided her along the way. Faculty members including Xiuli He, Monica Johar, Kexin Zhao, Siddharth Krishnan, Chase Romano, Bruce A. Arrigo, and Robert Fox helped shape her discipline and curiosity. She is especially grateful for the mentorship of Joshua Hertel and Carly Mahedy, whose support and encouragement left a lasting impact.

But Gokula’s path to graduation was anything but easy. She faced prolonged immigration delays that paused her career for nine months, the collective struggle of her family battling COVID, and even a serious car accident. After returning to the workforce — and achieving milestones like joining a Fortune 500 financial institution — she endured the uncertainty of two layoffs. Each setback tested her resolve, but also taught her adaptability, perseverance, and the value of starting again with renewed purpose.

“Through every challenge, detour, and small victory, I kept my eyes on one goal: to complete the degree I loved and had worked so hard for,” she shared.

Now a graduate, Gokula looks ahead to continuing her career in the financial domain, applying her data science expertise to solve complex problems, drive innovation, and create value. For her, every challenge will be an opportunity to learn, every project a chance to grow, and every success a step toward making a meaningful impact in the industry.

As she reflected on her journey, Gokula expressed gratitude to UNC Charlotte, the DSBA program, her professors, her husband, and her children — all of whom played a role in helping her reach this milestone. “This program shaped my career and strengthened my resilience, curiosity, and commitment to making a positive impact through data science,” she said.

Gokula Vijayakumar’s story is one of perseverance and gratitude — a reminder that even in the face of unexpected setbacks, determination and support can carry you forward.