UVA School of Data Science Welcomes 100 New M.S. in Data Science Students to Grounds

August 28, 2026

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Jeffrey Blume addressing incoming MSDS residential class at Capital One hub at UVA School of Data Science orientation. — Interim Stephenson Dean Jeffrey Blume encourages incoming graduate students to engage at the next level and immerse themselves in the data science community. (Photo credit: Alyssa Brown)

The University of Virginia School of Data Science welcomed 100 new graduate students last week to its residential M.S. in Data Science program, including 21 in the inaugural Sports Data Science Concentration and seven in the Genomics Concentration. The incoming class represents a wide range of backgrounds and career stages, underscoring the School’s commitment to building a dynamic learning community.

"We are excited to help lead the largest cohort in the history of the MSDS,” said Brian Wright, Quantitative Foundation Associate Professor and interim program director for the residential MSDS program. “It's an exciting time to be a student. With new concentrations and growing adoption of generative AI tools, the program continues to be an industry leader in data science education.”

Many Paths, One Cohort

The 2026-27 entering class reflects a striking range of experience: recent UVA graduates, professionals with 30-plus years of work experience, active-duty service members, a labor organizer, a former professional cyclist, a sailing instructor, educators, and consultants and analysts across multiple industries.

The class also includes team captains from men's lacrosse and men's swim, track team members, and Madison House volunteers. Some call Charlottesville home; others hail from 16 other states and eight countries. Collectively, they embody the School's vision of data science as an inclusive discipline with the power to serve society across sectors and communities.

The residential MSDS class gathered outside the School of Data Science at UVA. — Caption: 65% of incoming MSDS students are from Virginia and 16% are international students, representing eight countries. (Photo credit: Alyssa Brown)

A Day of Orientation and Community

New students gathered for a full day of orientation at the School of Data Science. They were welcomed by Interim Stephenson Dean Jeffrey Blume in the two-story Capital One Hub, followed by introductions of program support faculty and staff.

“Education is changing now,” Blume told students. “In the age of AI, the answers are always there. The people who are successful, the people who are cutting edge, understand not just what the answer is, but why,” he said.

Blume added that it is up to each student to challenge themselves and do everything they can to get the most out of the program, including attending signature events, becoming an active member of the community, and taking initiative.

Two students interact during MSDS residential orientation at the UVA School of Data Science.

“We are so pleased to welcome our latest cohort of MSDS residential students to the UVA School of Data Science,” said Miriam Friedel, deputy program director for the residential MSDS program, who recently joined the University after decades of experience in industry, most recently as vice president of machine learning engineering at Capital One. “As a new faculty member, I am consistently impressed not only with the caliber of our students, but the thoughtfulness and care my colleagues have put into the curriculum.”

Incoming students appreciated the approachability of the faculty and staff, the balanced curriculum, and the extensive networking opportunities.

“The activities made it easy to connect with classmates, especially for an introvert like me,” said Naman Patel, a new M.S. in Data Science student. Patel spent two years working as an engineer in India before moving to Virginia to begin the master’s program. One thing that really stuck with him was Professor Jonathan Kropko’s quote that code will always break, and a data scientist’s job is to get unstuck and move forward. “What I loved the most is the staff’s positive energy and helpful attitude with everyone,” he said.

Students sit in orange chairs listening to speakers at MSDS orientation 2026.

Anna Phillips moved to Charlottesville from Richmond to join this year’s cohort. “I enjoyed meeting student support staff and professors and learning how many resources are available for master’s students,” she said. Phillips understands that there is bias in every level of data, and she plans to continually challenge the objectivity in data, particularly in the age of AI.

About the Residential MSDS

The one-year residential master’s in data science prepares students with technical, analytical, and professional skills to become leaders in the field. In just 11 months and 33-credit-hours, students learn essential data analytics topics like natural-language processing, machine learning, text analytics, and deep learning.

Students have the option to pursue four new concentrations in Artificial Intelligence, Data Visualization, Genomics, and Sports Data Science.

The integrated curriculum, based on the School’s 4+1 model, combines hands-on learning with real-world application.