From Founding SDS to Leading DSBA: Mirsad Hadžikadić’s Continuing Legacy at UNC Charlotte

For Mirsad Hadžikadić, who played a pivotal role in the school’s inception and now leads the Data Science and Business Analytics program, that mission remains as essential as ever.

“The School of Data Science arose from a clearly identified need of businesses in the region to have access to a highly skilled data science talent pool,” Hadžikadić explained.

Hadžikadić speaks about his leadership and teaching with the same passion and curiosity that define his vision for data science education.

He views the DSBA program as a vehicle for that transformation, driven by faculty who care deeply, programs that empower exploration, and learning experiences that inspire purpose.

“I am interested in students who are willing to take on the world—to make it a better place, to create the future none of us imagined possible.” 

As one of the original architects of the School of Data Science, Hadžikadić brings deep institutional knowledge and vision to his role. He previously contributed to the creation of several academic initiatives, including the College of Computing and Informatics at UNC Charlotte, the Cognitive Science Academy and the Data Science Initiative—the foundation upon which the School of Data Science was built.

“I am acutely aware of the nature of the DSBA, its position within SDS, and its importance for businesses,” he said. “It feels as if I never left it.”

His recent teaching experience in the undergraduate data science program also shaped his understanding of how students form their professional identities.

Hadžikadić continues to teach key courses, such as the undergraduate capstone studio and graduate classes in complex adaptive systems and network science. 

“Our graduates should be able to understand the business they are in, apply technology effectively, uncover insights from data, and communicate those insights clearly,” he explained.

For Hadžikadić, the role of a data scientist is broad and full of possibilities.

Looking ahead, Hadžikadić is focused on expanding the integration of artificial intelligence and business applications throughout the DSBA curriculum.

A strong advocate of interdisciplinary education, Hadžikadić aims to strengthen partnerships within the School of Data Science and across the university’s colleges. “The world does not consist of silos—it’s fully interconnected,” he said. “My task is to find ways to get everyone engaged in DSBA, whether through teaching, projects, mentoring,  or new ideas we haven’t even thought of yet.”

Beyond academia, Hadžikadić brings a global and civic-minded perspective shaped by his experience running for the Presidential Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina—not once, but twice. 

“I changed politics in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the better,” he reflected. “Politics touches every aspect of society—education, business, health care, culture—much like data science does. I believe I am a better person, a better manager, and a better leader because of it.”

The Data Science and Business Analytics (DSBA) program at UNC Charlotte prepares students to bridge data and decision making through interdisciplinary education, applied learning, and close collaboration with industry partners.