vision & mission
Vision & Mission
The vision of UNC Charlotte’s School of Data Science is to be a leader in advancing data science education, research, and application that drives innovation and addresses complex societal challenges. Its mission is to provide a multidisciplinary education that equips students with the skills to analyze and interpret data, fostering a collaborative environment that integrates diverse perspectives and promotes ethical data practices.
VISION
To be a leader in ethically grounded, interdisciplinary data science and artificial intelligence research and education that serves our diverse local and global community.
MISSION
We commit to excellence in education, research, and community engagement to shape and lead the future of data science education and practice. We will teach our students to be responsible and ethical data science practitioners, leaders, researchers, and innovators in an increasingly data-driven and global society.
three Pillars
Education
(Data Literacy, Data Science, and Artificial Intelligence)
Definition:
- Empowering individuals through data literacy and data science pedagogy and research to constructively engage with their communities.
Goal:
- Transform lives through data science and artificial intelligence education
Actions for 2025:
- Ensure appropriate faculty engagement and structure such that SDS is on a sustainable path
Undergraduate
- Round out development and grow BS degree
- Learn and improve studio courses
- Develop and teach third and fourth studios that include the development of a capstone course that has integrated community projects
- Launch and mature the Sports Analytics Certificate
- Create elective undergraduate courses
Graduate
- Manage enrollment in MS to balance resources and demand
Minors
- Develop data literacy courses and minor (BHEF)
- Explore partnerships with departments for interdisciplinary minors with data analytics and artificial intelligence at the core
Student engagement
- Encourage the BS students to create their own student organization
- Reinvigorate Sports Analytics Club
- Facilitate applied learning opportunities
End Transition phase of SDS
- Stabilize SDS processes
Research
Definition:
- Ethically grounded, systematic investigation to create knowledge that serves the interests of the local and global community.
Goal:
- Create opportunities through applied interdisciplinary research that utilizes data science and artificial intelligence methods that are grounded in the needs and values of our broad community.
Actions for 2025:
- Expand collaboration, grant proposals, and funding awards with interdisciplinary SDS teams
- Identify physical and virtual spaces to collaborate with campus, community, and industry partners
- Build research, education, and infrastructure partnership with Institute for Social Capital (DTSC capstone, ISC Board membership, ISC Technology Advisory Lead)
- Continue to build a culture of belonging with SDS faculty, especially across departments and colleges
- Facilitate industry input and collaboration through joint research projects and seminars
Community
Definition:
- Both the physical environment and the cultural alignment of those within the local and global data science community
Goal:
- Engage the Charlotte and campus communities by creating accessible pathways for research and practice.
Actions for 2025:
- Resume books for 2022
- Recruit, retain, and graduate community-engaged data science students
- Develop a culture of community service within SDS
- Move community data stewardship program beyond the pilot stage
- Develop engagement plan for NPOs and local NGOs (e.g., Girls Who Code)
- Continue to evolve and grow community-focused conferences
- Analytics Frontiers and Women in Data Science
- Address enrollment gaps and foster educational success in data science for underserved North Carolinians.
- Expand internship programs and opportunities for our undergraduate students.
Goal:
- Transform lives through data science and artificial intelligence education
Actions for 2025:
- Ensure appropriate faculty engagement and structure such that SDS is on a sustainable path
Undergraduate
- Round out development and grow BS degree
- Learn and improve studio courses
- (Develop and teach third and fourth studios that include the development of a capstone course that has integrated community projects
- Launch and mature the Sports Analytics Certificate
- Create elective undergraduate courses
Graduate
- Manage enrollment in MS to balance resources and demand
Minors
- Develop data literacy courses and minor (BHEF)
- Explore partnerships with departments for interdisciplinary minors with data analytics and artificial intelligence at the core
Student engagement
- Encourage the BS students to create their own student organization
- Reinvigorate Sports Analytics Club
- Facilitate applied learning opportunities
End Transition phase of SDS
- Stabilize SDS processes
GUIDING COMMITMENTS
As one of the first Schools of Data Science in the nation, we will be a thought leader in the field. We believe transparency and equity are critical to developing trust in data science and artificial intelligence in all communities. To frame our actions, we commit to:
Academic Excellence: Providing an exceptional academic experience for all students of data science that enhances their lives and careers while simultaneously improving their communities.
Interdisciplinary Research, Discovery, and Innovation: Using data and data science in interdisciplinary ways to generate new knowledge, understanding, and advancement in relationships with our communities and industry partners.
Community Engagement: Forging non-profit, government, and industry partnerships that strengthen and prepare our students to be engaged and impactful citizens in the communities in which they live and work.
Integrity and Respect: Adhering to the highest academic, professional, and ethical standards, ensuring a collegial culture that embraces civil discourse. Treating all members of the School and the community with respect, fairness, and dignity.
Access and Socio-economic Mobility: Providing access to a robust data science education for students from all backgrounds, as well as being an engine of change to improve the economic, social, and well-being of our region and state.
Sustainable Environment: Stewarding our scarce global resources by ethically, responsibly, and justly protecting the natural environment through resilient and sustainable practices.