Data science school celebrates first graduates

Less than three years after the school’s launch, the UNC School of Data Science and Society graduates its first class: one undergraduate and three graduate students.

“This graduation ceremony marks a significant milestone for both our four students and our school,” said Stan Ahalt, SDSS dean. “It celebrates the culmination of years of dedication and hard work by these graduates, as well as the collective efforts of hundreds across our campus who have brought the school to life. For our newest alumni and our institution, this is just the beginning of an exciting journey.”

In January 2024, SDSS launched the online Master of Applied Data Science for working professionals. Enrollment has grown to more than 130 students. The rigorous curriculum includes nine foundational courses in data science and a capstone experience that allows students to apply their skills to real-world challenges. Nicholas Horton, Andrew McGuire and Sivani Pillutla are the first graduates of the master’s program.

Check out these 10 things you need to know before attending UNC-Chapel Hill’s Spring Commencement.

In August 2024, SDSS welcomed its first undergraduate students. Students earn a Bachelor of Science in data science by completing 62 credit hours, covering a comprehensive curriculum that includes theoretical and computational foundations of data science, communication and data ethics. William Zahrt III will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in data science and a bachelor’’s degree in computer science. He will continue his studies at Carolina, pursuing a master’s degree in computer science. This summer Zahrt will intern as a full-stack software engineer for Align Technology.

SDSS will host its graduation ceremony at 3:30 p.m. May 10 at the Frank Porter Graham Student Union Auditorium.

Meet the 2025 graduates

William Zahrt III, B.S. in Data Science

Hometown: Morgan Hill, California

Favorite DATA course: DATA 150: Communication for Data Science

SDSS faculty/staff who made a difference: Anita Crescenzi, Johanna Foster and Katie Smith

Zahrt thought data science would be “a good fit for me,” he said. “I knew analyzing data and coming up with stories using data would be really useful.” Zahrt continued to learn how to tell these stories, including an elevator speech, in Anita Crescenzi’s DATA 150 class on communications.

Nicholas Horton, Master of Applied Data Science

Hometown: Statesville, North Carolina; currently living in Washington, D.C.

Favorite DATA course: DATA 750: Mathematical Tools for Data Science

SDSS faculty/staff who made a difference: Rei Sanchez-Arias and Rick Marks

Horton sees two parts to working with Geographic Information Systems data — the art side and the technical side. “I had always gravitated toward the technical side,” said Horton, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps. “I realized that a lot of the stuff that I enjoy in my job that I do every day leans into the data science side of things.” Horton used the GI Bill to further his training in data science, knowing that the data science tools helped him reduce uncertainty for his commanders in battle.

Andrew McGuire, Master of Applied Data Science

Hometown: Lives in Statesville, North Carolina, and works in Charlotte, North Carolina

Favorite DATA course: DATA 760: Visualization and Communication

SDSS faculty/staff who made a difference: Vincent Stuntebeck

McGuire works as an applications and project analyst for a large North Carolina-based law firm and is responsible for ensuring the environments of 26 of the firms’ applications are running smoothly. “I make sure that they’re running well and assist with migrations when there’s a new application or product.” In addition to obtaining his MADS degree, McGuire is also getting his real estate license.

Sivani Pillutla, Master of Applied Data Science

Hometown: Cary, North Carolina

Favorite DATA course: DATA 740: Governance, Bias, Ethics and Fairness in Data Science and AI

SDSS faculty/staff who made a difference: Rei Sanchez-Arias and Charles Pepe-Ranney

With a biology degree from NC State and working in biotech, Sivani Pillutla still yearned for a STEM-focused experience. She wanted to explore public health and potentially pursue a degree in epidemiology. “Then I thought about how public health and data science kind of intersect,” said Pillutla. Thinking about the future of the MADS program, “I’m excited to see what classes you will be creating because the field of data science is always changing,” she said.