President: Bradley Katcher
Where are you from?
Cleveland Ohio
What does your position involve?
I work with other council members to plan events and support their ideas, as well as try to lead the council to complete our objectives. I also act as the conduit in passing information from the Council to students, staff, and administration. I also have the pleasure of representing the School of Data Science on the Graduate and Professional Council with the leaders of other schools at UVA.
Why did you choose to study data science?
I chose to study data science to augment the technical acumen that I have acquired while studying economics and public policy. I feel that I have learned how to analyze concepts within an economic framework and analyze their policy relevance, but data science will equip me well to use mass amounts of data in order to influence both economics and policy.
What has been your favorite Student Council event so far this year? Any events you are looking forward to in particular?
I really loved the Halloween party that we had. We had a really great costume contest and it was amazing to see the creativity that went into so many of the costumes, both the data-science oriented ones and others, though I do have to say, the group that did the Markov chain was my favorite. I am looking forward to the lots of events that the Student Council will put on after the submission of our capstone papers, a good opportunity to celebrate our time at the SDS and build lasting connections and friendships.
Vice President: Sudeepti Surapaneni 
Where are you from?
Ashburn, VA
What does your position involve?
I act as a point of contact and a source of information for potential applicants, assist the president in overseeing the operations of the MSDS council as a whole, and facilitate communication and interaction between the DSI Admissions Team (Patti and Eli) and the MSDS student body. I also collaborate with fellow executive board members to bring DSI together through events.
Why did you choose to study data science?
After attending the 2018 Datapalooza, I realized how scientists and analysts can leverage data science to help create a paradigm shift from reactive decisions to proactive efforts in developing countries. In a world permeated by unprecedented technological progress, yet tainted by social issues, data scientists can act as catalysts for change. This is what led me to SDS.
What has been your favorite Student Council event so far this year? Any events you are looking forward to in particular?
The Hallonween Party/Costume Contest and Thanksgiving Potluck. I am looking forward to out St. Patrick's Day Party and our graduation festivities!
Activities Chair: Saad Saleem
Where are you from?
I'm originally from Lahore, Pakistan where I grew up. In 2011, I moved to northern Virginia where I completed my high school education and undergraduate studies.
What does your position involve?
I, along with the other members of the student council, plan and organize events and gatherings for MSDS students to be more engaged with one another, faculty, and staff. My goal as the Activities Chair is to help my fellow students feel at home while at UVA. This is especially vital for our fast-paced program, as it imposts rigors on students that can lead to high levels of stress. I care deeply about the physical and mental wellbeing of the people around me, and I want to do my part in giving both of those a boost.
Why did you choose to study data science?
I enrolled in the MSDS program at UVA to further my skills in data science. One major motivation for me was our increasing dependence on insights gained from data analysis to drive progress in a wide range of industries.
What has been your favorite Student Council event so far this year? Any events you are looking forward to in particular?
My favorite event was the Halloween party. I had fun helping people come up with costumes and making data science spooky. I am looking forward to holding more outdoor activities once the weather starts to get more pleasant.
Social Media and Outreach Chair: Sania Rasheed
Where are you from?
I am originally from Pakistan and have lived in Northern Virginia for the past 16 years.
What does your position involve?
My main role as the social media and outreach chair is to get the word out to students and faculty about any events (academic or social) the Student Council and/or School of Data Science is hosting. Apart from this, I pride myself in capturing all the fun moments that occur around the year and documenting them on social media. #SDS #UVADataScience
Why did you choose to study data science?
I chose to study Data Science, because I wanted to get a deeper knowledge of how we can use the massive amount of data that is available to us at our fingertips and come up with insights that can improve access to health around the world. Since joining the program, I have learned that there are numerous other fields that also gain so much value from the work of a data scientist. I hope in the near future that I can help to continue this trend by making my mark as a valuable data scientist.
What has been your favorite Student Council event so far this year? Any events you are looking forward to in particular?
My favorite event that the Student Council has planned was the Halloween Party. This event was open to students and faculty and consisted of Data Science inspired costumes. It was a fun way to interact with peers and faculty outside of the classroom setting and show your creative side. I really liked how we incorporated prizes for students who made an effort to come up with unique costumes. And did I mention there was food? You can't beat that.
One event that I am really looking forward to is the admitted students day coming up in March. With the inception of the School of Data Science, for me, it is extra exciting to see the future students that will hold the torch after we leave. Many of the students and faculty, such as Patti, have worked very diligently to put the School of Data Science on the map and I feel this event will really show how much their dedication has paid off. I am very excited to meet all the new incoming students and share my experiences with them as a member of the first graduating cohort from the School of Data Science.
Treasurer: Arti Patel
Where are you from?
Lowell, MA
Why did you choose to study data science?
As Student Council Treasurer, I keep track of finances to ensure we are managing our budget appropriately. As a general member of student council, I strategize with the team on organizing events and resources to better serve the student body. I also help SDS admissions by acting as student ambassador and meeting prospective students to help them learn about the program.
Why did you choose to study data science?
Having a background in mathematics I've always had an affinity for applying statistics and building predictive models. What started as a curiosity of applying statistics to financial markets turned into a genuine interest in learning more about machine learning and data science and how we can apply it to make an impact for larger issues.
What has been your favorite Student Council event so far this year? Any events you are looking forward to in particular?
My favorite Student Council event was the Friendsgiving. Seeing everyone come together made SDS feel like a home away from home for me. Though we have a number of events like our St. Patrick's Day, Admitted Students Day, and some outdoor activities coming up, I'm just looking forward to our usual hangouts and spending more time with the cohort before we graduate!