Mary Margaret: Data, Discovery, and the Drive to Dream Bigger

At UNC Charlotte, Mary Margaret discovered not just knowledge, but a sense of purpose—where curiosity met confidence, and ambition reached for the stars.

From Davidson, NC, Mary Margaret completed both her bachelor’s in Data Science in May 2024 and her master’s in Data Science and Business Analytics in May 2025 at UNC Charlotte. She first discovered the field back in high school. 

“What first attracted me to data science was the description an admissions counselor from UNC Charlotte gave to my honor society in 10th grade. She said that it was a new program that combined spreadsheets and math and coding. My mom elbowed me and said, ‘That sounds like you.’ ”

Now looking back on her academic experience, she summarizes it in three powerful words: collaborative, exciting, and meaningful.

Throughout her time in the DSBA program, Mary Margaret worked as a teaching assistant, interned at multiple organizations, and completed a hybrid internship with NASA Glenn Research Center. The experience at NASA led her to a heightened interest in all things space and a desire to pursue education/work in that field. Obtaining a PhD in Aerospace Sciences and working at NASA as a civil servant is her current dream.

Two professors stand out in Mary Margaret’s academic journey. In her undergraduate studies, she was especially influenced by Professor Justin Grandinetti, whose ability to break down complex topics and invest in his students made a lasting impression on her and her peers. In graduate school, Professor Monica Johar had a significant impact. Mary Margaret describes her as an experienced and knowledgeable instructor who is always willing to support any student committed to learning.

Along the way, she discovered a new appreciation for collaboration. She likes being on a team, she feels that team members can help each other out and breathe together before big presentations.

But Mary Margaret’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. 

“I am deaf and use bilateral Cochlear Implants to process sound. It is particularly difficult for me to hear in loud rooms of any size. I had to be persistent in communicating my needs to Disability Services in order to obtain accommodations. It also forced me to have open communication with professors and project teams, which pushed me past my comfort zone in a good way.”

With a unique blend of talent, resilience, and ambition, Mary Margaret leaves UNC Charlotte not just with two degrees, but with a clear vision—to make her mark on the world, and perhaps