General News

Mary Margaret: Data, Discovery, and the Drive to Dream Bigger

Categories: General News

At UNC Charlotte, Mary Margaret discovered not just knowledge, but a sense of purpose—where curiosity met confidence, and ambition reached for the stars. From Davidson, NC, Mary Margaret completed both her bachelor’s in Data Science in May 2024 and her master’s in Data Science and Business Analytics in May 2025 at UNC Charlotte. She first […]

Hiza Mbela Mvuendy: Exploring Human Behavior Through Data

Categories: General News

Hiza Mbela Mvuendy, a recent Spring 2025 graduate, came to UNC Charlotte from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, drawn by the university’s strong academic programs, welcoming community, and vibrant urban setting. As a student in Data Science with a minor in Sociology, he found the perfect intersection of his analytical mindset and his interest in human behavior. […]

Blake Costner: A Legacy of Learning, a Journey of Self-Discovery

Categories: General News

As a legacy student, Blake Costner always felt connected to the university, because his father, Joe W. Costner Jr., graduated in 1989, and his aunt, Barbara Kolatis, followed in 1995. So when it came time to choose a path for higher education, the choice to become a Niner felt natural. His decision to attend UNC […]

Hayat Naqvi — Bridging Borders and Data for a Healthier World

Categories: General News

Before she ever set foot in a UNC Charlotte classroom, Hayat Naqvi, was already charting a path that defied borders and disciplines. Her story is not just one of academic achievement, but of transformation—of discovering how the language of data can amplify compassion and turn a passion for public health into meaningful change. As a […]

Hiranya Bandi: Finding Purpose in Data and Empowerment Through Learning

Categories: General News

Driven by a passion for uncovering patterns and solving real-world problems, Hiranya Bandi came to UNC Charlotte from Hyderabad, India, to pursue her Master’s in Data Science and Business Analytics. She was looking for more than a degree—she was seeking an environment that would challenge her thinking, strengthen her technical skills, and prepare her to […]

Yash Pradhan: Rising with Resilience and Data

Categories: General News

Choosing UNC Charlotte for his Master’s in Data Science and Business Analytics was just the first step in Yash Pradhan’s leap of faith from Mumbai to a new life in Charlotte. Originally from Mumbai, India, and now proudly calling Charlotte home, Yash arrived with a deep determination, a passion for data, and $1000 in his […]

Jahnavi Patnala: Charting New Territory Through Data

Categories: General News

When Jahnavi Patnala arrived at UNC Charlotte in August 2023 to begin her Master’s in Data Science and Business Analytics, it marked not only the start of a new academic chapter but also her first experience living away from home. What followed, she describes in three words: transformative, grounding, empowering. “I chose UNC Charlotte because […]

Treasure Smith: Bridging Data and Compassion in Healthcare

Categories: General News

Bold decisions often lead to the most meaningful transformations. For Treasure Smith, returning to school wasn’t just a step forward—it was a commitment to purpose. A non-traditional student and recent graduate in the Class of 2025, Treasure completed her bachelor’s degree in Data Science at UNC Charlotte while simultaneously pursuing a master’s in Health Informatics […]

Leading with Purpose, Learning with Passion: Emilia’s Impact at UNC Charlotte

Categories: General News

For Emilia Gabriela Olivera Hernández, choosing UNC Charlotte was more than a practical decision — it was a meaningful one. A first-generation college student from Concord, North Carolina, Emilia knew that staying close to home would allow her to remain rooted in the support of her family while stepping into an entirely new world of […]

Town Hall Fosters Collaboration on the Future of SDS Undergraduate Studies

Categories: General News

On Wednesday, April 16, the Association for Data Science (ADS), the undergraduate student governance organization for the School of Data Science (SDS), hosted a town hall to discuss the current state of the school and the undergraduate Data Science program. Incoming ADS President Hannah Wilson and Paige Pickett, President of the Graduate Student Council for […]