Community Engagement

Community Engagement

We take pride in being among the pioneering institutions that have created a comprehensive academic and research program. This program not only serves as a talent pipeline but also acts as an invaluable resource for new professionals, offers continuing education for those already working in the field, and facilitates research endeavors.

Opportunities for Community and Industry Engagement

Who We Are 

The School of Data Science (SDS) at UNC Charlotte is a leader in academic and research programs, serving as a talent pipeline and a resource for new and existing professionals. Our mission is to develop professionals with domain expertise, analytical skills, and strong communication abilities to meet market demands. We offer various engagement channels with students and faculty.

Partners in Innovation 

SDS benefits from a broad network of corporate and community partners. Our initial programs were guided by a volunteer board of industry and community leaders. As we evolved from standalone programs to the School of Data Science, we have continually relied on insights from diverse stakeholders.

What We Offer 

UNC Charlotte provides top-tier researchers and infrastructure for data science innovation. Our graduate and undergraduate programs attract students with diverse backgrounds, including health, retail, finance, supply chain, and energy. Our curriculum emphasizes applied research and real-world problem-solving, often led by industry experts.

Our programs include:

  • Undergraduate Data Science and Sports Analytics programs, the first of their kind in the region.
  • Graduate programs in Health Informatics and Analytics (HIA) and Data Science and Business Analytics (DSBA).
  • In Fall 2025, we will launch North Carolina’s first PhD in Data Science.

ENROLLMENT

REGIONAL IMPACT

INDUSTRY SECTORS

Over 750 students are currently enrolled in Data Science and Health Analytics. This includes over 380 graduate students and more than 370 undergraduate students.

73% of our alumni reside in the region. In the past 10 years, we have graduated over 1,000 alumni

Our alumni work in various fields, including Finance, Healthcare, Energy, Retail Analytics, Transportation and Supply Chain, Non-Profit Management, and Government.

Diverse and Interdisciplinary Faculty 

Our faculty members come from various colleges at UNC Charlotte, including Business, Computing and Informatics, Health and Human Services, Humanities and Social Sciences, Science, and Engineering. Courses are taught by experts from nearly every department. Students benefit from this multidisciplinary approach, gaining technical skills, critical thinking abilities, and leadership experience.

Student Recruitment Opportunities

  • Mentor the Next Generation of Talent: Sponsor an Internship and provide students with practical experience to launch their careers.  

  • Hire Top Talent: Partner with us to access skilled data science graduates. 

  • Engage in the Conversation: Attend our professional seminars and conferences to stay informed about industry trends.
    • Women In Data Science (WiDS): The School of Data Science sponsors two major conferences in the spring.  Women in Data Science is held in March every year. It is a free event, targeted for new and emerging talent, and features a specialized career fair. Join us as a sponsor, presenter, or attendee!
    • Analytics Frontiers Conference (AFC): The Analytics Frontiers Conference has been hosted by UNC Charlotte for several years. It has grown into the largest data science conference in the region, attracting more than 500 thought leaders, scientists, and business executives from different industries and academia. Join us as a sponsor, presenter, or attendee!
  • SDS Professional Seminars: During the Fall and Spring semesters, the School of Data Science hosts seminars with community and industry professionals who share their insights and discuss emerging trends in the field. Past topics have included:
    • A Day in the Life of a Data Scientist @ [Your Organization]: An exploration of your organization’s culture, career paths, and the tools and projects used by data scientists.
    • Tools of the Trade: Hands-on sessions covering software and platforms for visualization, BI, machine learning, NLP, and more.
    • Issues in Data Science: Discussions on case studies, ethical considerations, and legal issues.
    • Professional Development and Soft Skills: Guidance on interviewing, creating effective resumes, building engaging LinkedIn profiles, and developing impactful GitHub sites.

Next Steps

For more information please contact Josh Hertel.