The Data Science Program, an interdisciplinary program housed in the College of Engineering, celebrated its inaugural class of three graduates in May: Jack Kincannon, Annelise Koster and Benjamin Marlow.
Kincannon graduated with honors with a concentration in business data analytics and planned to work for Arvest as a portfolio management analyst for its wealth management group. He was also a finalist for College of Engineering senior of the year.
Koster graduated with honors and a concentration in business data analytics. She planned to work as an associate consultant with Mastercard in Rogers.
Marlow graduated with a concentration in data science statistics. He planned to explore job opportunities in the fields of finance, sports analytics or tech consulting.
“Reaching commencement is always meaningful, but to be the first graduates from such a unique program in such an exciting and vital field is especially momentous,” said Kathryn Sloan, interim dean of the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences.
Launched in 2020 with 14 students, the Data Science Program is a multi-college, interdisciplinary undergraduate degree program between the College of Engineering, Sam M. Walton College of Business and Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences.
The program has grown quickly, from 27 students entering the first year to a total enrollment of approximately 150 students in spring 2023.
“The data science degree program at the University of Arkansas is one of a kind. Very few higher education institutions offer an interdisciplinary collaborative degree such as this,” said Shannon Bedore, CEO of Sightline Retail, which provides retail analytics and data management services to midsize suppliers. “Graduates of this program are taught to understand broader implications for data management and analytics beyond their specific field of study, giving students a robust professional edge in the real world.”
A key element of the program’s teachings is industry knowledge and experience prior to entering the workforce. The program has worked toward that goal by “collaborating with industry leaders across the state to develop a world-class program that prepares graduates for rewarding careers with some of the nation’s top companies,” said Nelson Peacock, president and CEO of the Northwest Arkansas Council.
Each of the students has endured challenging times, not only in being in the first group of students to enroll in the Data Science Program but also doing so during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Having started courses virtually in 2020, to hitting the final stretch in 2023, I am appreciative of the process and everything I have learned,” Marlow said. “I am proud to represent the first group of graduates and know this program will only continue to grow and prosper in the future.”
The Data Science Program is at the forefront of the College of Engineering’s push to provide a holistic educational experience, generate transformational and relevant knowledge and grow the STEM workforce for Arkansas and the world, said Kim Needy, dean of the college.
“These first three graduates are a great beginning for this dynamic and important program whose exponential growth demonstrates students’ keen interest and companies’ heavy demand for data scientists,” she said. “We are grateful to this inaugural class, and we wish them much success.”