School of Data Science Welcomes Six New Staff Members
The School of Data Science welcomes six new staff members across the School. From student affairs and research to communications and admissions, the new team members bring years of combined experience in higher education, student support, and research.
Kylen Baskerville
Program Manager
Kylen joins SDS with nearly 10 years of experience in higher education, six of those in student support. Prior to joining SDS, Kylen worked as a Graduate Academic Advisor for East Carolina University College of Engineering and Technology. Kylen is excited to join SDS “as it expands and leads the way in data science education.” She looks forward to helping students at every step of their journey.
Fun Fact: “I am a huge Disney fan.”
Contact Info: rke5bu@virginia.edu | 3 Elliewood
Alex Kish
Director of Research Administration
Alex brings 20 years of experience in research administration from UVA’s School of Medicine to SDS. He previously served as the Research Administrator for Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics. Alex says his experience means he’s comfortable in pre-award and post-award work, giving him a broad view of the industry. Alex is not only an employee, but also a student. He is currently completing a Graduate Certificate in Procurement and Contract Management in the School of Continuing and Professional Studies at UVA.
Alex is excited to join SDS because it serves as a national and international pioneer. He views his position as joining “the ground level of an amazing start-up that is going to change the world.” He looks forward to assisting faculty with growing their research portfolios.
Fun Fact: “I am not a scientist! My academic background is entirely in the humanities. I earned my Ph.D. in Church History from the Faculty of Theology at the Free University of Amsterdam, and my dissertation topic was “The Origins of the Baptist Movement among the Hungarians: A History of the Baptists in the Kingdom of Hungary from 1846 to 1893.”
Contact Info: gak8d@virginia.edu | Elson 182A
Andrea Kester
Assistant Director of Academic Affairs and Registrar
Before joining SDS, Andrea worked in undergraduate admission for UVA’s McIntire School of Commerce where she developed a deep appreciation for working with students and student records. Andrea says she’s excited to participate in the growth and development of a UVA school on the cutting edge of its field.
Fun Fact: “I rowed with Rivanna Rowing Club for the first three years I lived in Charlottesville.”
Contact Info: ak3jg@virginia.edu | 3 Elliewood Avenue
Monica Manney
Communications Manager
Monica joins SDS after a career in television news and journalism. As a reporter, she focused on character- driven stories that centered her mission to “amplify the voices of marginalized and intentionally silenced groups while sharing positive works in the community.” She is excited to tell the story of how students, faculty, staff, and alumni are changing and shaping the world through data science.
Fun Fact: “I competed in a National Science Bowl in Washington, D.C. where I met Michelle Obama. She’s taller than you think.”
Contact Info: nbu8bt@virginia.edu | Elson 168
Sadie Royal Collins
Director of Admissions
Sadie has worked at UVA for 14 years. She joins SDS after serving as the Director of Undergraduate Admissions at the McIntire School of Commerce. Sadie steered all recruitment and admissions activities for the undergraduate degree and Commerce’s three minors. Prior to McIntire, she worked in UVA athletics as the Director of Olympic Sports. Sadie is excited about SDS’s mission. She looks forward to collaborating with passionate faculty, staff, and students to build the school “right, with equity at its heart, concern for an excellentstudent experience, and an earnest desire to collaborate across Grounds and disciplines.”
Fun Fact: "We love our poorly-behaved black lab, Waylon.”
Contact Info: royal@virginia.edu | 3 Elliewood Avenue
Sunny Taylor
Executive Assistant to the Dean
Sunny’s first engagement with UVA was in 2006, with the foundation that manages the University endowment. While working at UVIMCO, she decided to get an up-close perspective on growing the endowment and enrolled in the School of Continuing and Professional Studies. Sunny earned her Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies with a Social Sciences concentration. As a student, Sunny was impressed by the faculty and the quality of her classes. She so enjoyed interacting with faculty and students, that she yearned to gain more exposure to the academic side of UVA. From 2013-2021, Sunny provided support for senior leadership in the Career Center, the School of Medicine, and the UVA Library. It was in her most recent role as Executive Assistant to the University Librarian that Sunny became aware of the Data Science Institute, destined to become the School of Data Science. She finds it exhilarating to join SDS at this momentous time, and particularly rewarding to be connected with a school that strives to transform the world for the better.
Fun Fact: In the late 1990s, Sunny and her husband operated a canoe livery in Nelson County. Her favorite part of the experience was seeing the transformation in families between the time they got on the river and the time they got out. It is magical how cathartic a 2-hour float trip on the James can be!
Contact Info: slt9e@virginia.edu
