Image
From the Startup World to the Classroom, Sam Kunitz-Levy Answers Complex Questions with Data
Sam Kunitz-Levy
Education:
M.S. in Data Science, 2026, University of Virginia
B.A. in Public and International Affairs, 2018, Princeton University
Hometown:
Charleston, South Carolina
Meet Sam Kunitz-Levy, a member of the University of Virginia’s M.S. in Data Science (MSDS) Class of 2026. His journey to data science spans consulting, startups, entrepreneurship, and AI-driven problem-solving. A Princeton graduate in public and international affairs, Kunitz-Levy brings a unique perspective shaped by work in San Francisco’s startup ecosystem and by launching a company focused on modernizing federal procurement through artificial intelligence.
Now based in Charlottesville and pursuing formal training in data science, Kunitz-Levy is sharpening his technical skills to match an entrepreneurial curiosity about how data can drive innovation, especially in health care and technology. In this Q&A, he shares how he found his way to data science, what’s surprised him most about the MSDS program, and the advice he has for others considering the leap.
Q: Tell us about your path to data science.
Out of college, I worked in consulting, where I learned to analyze and present data for large corporate clients. Afterwards, I moved to San Francisco to work in startup operations. I was often close to data-heavy tasks, but mostly used Excel.
In San Francisco, I grew to love startups and entrepreneurship. When I moved to Charlottesville, I founded a company in the government space, building AI tools for federal procurement workflows. Even though we weren’t successful, I learned a lot in the process. We pored over a lot of public procurement data, and at that point, I felt I had more ideas about what to do with data than skills. I also found the math and computer science behind it all really interesting, so I took the leap.
Q: What do you hope to do with a M.S. in Data Science degree?
Right now, I’m interested in tech and health care. I would love to start another company down the road.
Q: What has surprised you about the MSDS program so far?
I was a little worried about coming into the program without a technical background. But there are lots of resources, and everyone in the cohort has been so helpful and friendly. The professors are also really engaging and truly care about the material. Overall, it has been an awesome place to learn.
Q: What class do you look forward to taking?
I’m looking forward to Big Data Systems. The scale made possible by these systems is really cool, and the class seems unique.
Q: What advice would you give to someone considering a Master’s in Data Science?
I think the program is a great fit for people coming from the working world. It is fun to be back in a classroom environment, plus the morning class schedule means you have a lot of freedom to structure your days.
Q: What are some fun facts about yourself?
I learned to play sitar while living in India for a year. I’m trying to read 25 books this year (26 in ‘26, etc.).
Learn more about the full-time, in-person Residential MSDS at the University of Virginia. Request more information, connect with Admissions, or start your application today.
