Student Ambassadors
M.S. in Business Analytics student ambassadors are an invaluable extension of our admissions team. They’re here to offer unique student perspectives and to answer any questions you may have about the culture and community of the MSBA Program.
Contact: pwz4sk@virginia.edu
What is your professional/academic background?
I am currently the Deputy Chief of Staff in the Office of Information and Technology at U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Previously, I’ve been a writer and editor inside and outside of government and was a Marine Corps Intelligence Specialist before attending Dartmouth College on the GI Bill.
What led you to UVA’s MSBA Program?
Marcy in the admissions office cold emailed me and encouraged me to apply. She was encouraging and quick to answer my questions. It didn’t take long for me to realize this was the program I was looking for. The reputation of McIntire and Darden was an added plus, and the quality of the professors has been more than impressive thus far.
What is your best piece of advice for prospective students?
Utilize the tools UVA provides after you are admitted. Take the MBA math course on statistics, and do it a few times until the concepts are drilled in your head. This will save you valuable time, especially in Mod 1. I’d also recommend having dual monitors for your online classes. It really helps following along during demonstrations.
Contact: amc9qx@virginia.edu | LinkedIn
What is your professional/academic background?
I am currently a Financial Management Specialist supporting the Stakeholder Engagement Division (SED) within the Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
What led you to UVA’s MSBA Program?
Before I had applied to UVA’s MSBA Program, I wanted to pursue some additional learning for my career and for my personal benefit. I had saw some advertisements for the UVA MSBA Program and followed up by attending an information session. After attending the information session and sitting in one of the classes for the prior year’s MSBA cohort, I made the decision to apply for the program.
What is your best piece of advice for prospective students?
The best piece of advice that I can give for prospective students is that they should attend an info session or two and to speak with current and prior students of the program to see if the MSBA Program is a fit for them and their careers.
Contact: wma4dk@virginia.edu | LinkedIn
What is your professional/academic background?
I am currently a Senior Associate on the Brand Insights team at Capital One, where I conduct brand measurement studies as an internal research partner to other marketing or product-focused teams. I studied Political Science and English during undergrad, and have previously worked in political polling and agency-side market research.
What led you to UVA’s MSBA Program?
To start, the UVA MSBA really aligned with my professional and academic interests. I loved the idea of using the Darden case method to learn about analytics and coding, since it added discussion, collaboration, and business context to tools that could otherwise be learned in a more isolated way. I was also excited about the ability to explore real data in many of the courses and the opportunity to work with actual companies as a part of the module projects. UVA also has a particular emphasis on building a strong class cohort, which was very important to me (especially given the working professional format). I could tell there would be a lot of opportunity to build relationships and community with classmates during classes, team projects, weekend residencies, and beyond.
What is your best piece of advice for prospective students?
I would encourage prospective students to stay open-minded to what you can achieve during the program, especially if you’re newer to business or analytics! As someone from a more ‘non-traditional’ business background, I have found it to be a rewarding experience to learn so much in just a few short months. There will definitely be some trial and error along the way, but the professors and cohort create a supportive learning environment where that’s okay (even encouraged!) and everyone is working through it together as a group. I’m excited to see what’s to come in the months ahead!
Contact: wsk3gm@virginia.edu | LinkedIn
What is your professional/academic background?
I currently am employed as a Dental Hygienist at Aaron Periodontics in Roanoke, VA. I attended Augusta University for my B.S. in Dental Hygiene, and graduated in 2018.
What led you to UVA’s MSBA Program?
First and foremost, my husband is a double Hoo! He has always spoken so highly of his experiences at the school and the connections that can be made through the school’s network. I was also very interested in being able to make data-driven decisions, as I have noticed a large shift in the business world, even in the dental field. With these two things in mind, choosing UVA was a no-brainer!
What is your best piece of advice for prospective students?
My best piece of advice is really brush up on your statistics foundation and make sure you are interested in that, as well as try out some basic Python and coding courses—just to ensure this field interests you.
Contact: haw9pj@virginia.edu | LinkedIn
What is your professional/academic background?
I have a B.A. in Philosophy from University of California – Los Angeles and was initially looking to pursue graduate school in law. My first post-undergraduate experience was as a Pricing Analyst for AEG Worldwide (Anschutz Entertainment Group), which is in the industry of sports and live entertainment. I specifically worked on projects with the Staples Center (at the time) and L.A. Live for concerts throughout the year. I was then hired as a Business Operations Specialist for a company called Fantasy Sports Pro Helpers, where I worked on customer relations and strategic planning of scaling our subscription pricing model. Finally, after being promoted within to Business Intelligence Practice Manager, I moved to my current role as Senior Project Manager for Newline Interactive, an edtech company that manufactures large-format displays and specializes in being device agnostic. I focus on full project lifecycle with massive school districts and providing leadership with dashboards focusing on KPIs, resource allocations, and burn rates.
What led you to UVA’s MSBA Program?
The University of Virginia program really stands out from other schools that I applied to. One feature to really emphasize is you get the benefit of being in two schools at once, in both Darden School of Business and McIntire School of Commerce. Faculty from both have provided different perspectives, and having access to resources from both schools has been a huge advantage. Another point I want to emphasize is the admissions and support staff to this program has been essential to my experience so far and even when I was in the decision process. The quick turnaround in answering questions about anything and everything really made this program my first choice. The effort shown by the UVA MSBA Program staff for such small details turns out to be a huge plus in your graduate student experience.
What is your best piece of advice for prospective students?
My best advice is to embrace the imposter syndrome and believe you belong! A lot of our cohort come from various professional and academic backgrounds. Most of the curriculum may not be in your wheelhouse or subject expertise, but your classmates and especially your professors are great resources to help you along your journey to become a truly effective data translator. Lean in, and embrace the material because even during the program, I am able to apply a lot of what I have learned in class to my current job.
Contact: tra6tz@virginia.edu | LinkedIn
What is your professional/academic background?
I am currently a Senior Strategy Analyst with Boeing BDS, leading project teams to develop and execute strategic initiatives for the company’s Defense, Space, and Security business units and functions. I have over 17 years of experience in strategy, operations, and human capital consulting, working with C-level and senior leadership clients across various industry verticals, including Fortune 500 manufacturing firms, governmental agencies, and nonprofit entities.
What led you to UVA’s MSBA Program?
UVA’s academic reputation, the one-year length, and level of technical depth balanced with promoting a solid understanding of the business context for which analysis is conducted were all attractive aspects of the MSBA Program.
What is your best piece of advice for prospective students?
Just do it, you will learn more than you can anticipate, and trust the process.
Contact: xqc3af@virginia.edu | LinkedIn
What is your professional/academic background?
I currently serve as a Senior Acquisition Program Manager and Subject Matter Expert for the Secretary of the Air Force. In this role, I’m responsible for overseeing large-scale acquisition programs, focusing on the delivery of advanced weapon systems to support our warfighters. My career, spanning over a decade, has been deeply rooted in the U.S. Air Force and the intelligence community. During this time, I’ve accumulated more than 10,000 hours of combat and training missions, which have been instrumental in shaping my expertise in strategic program management and operational intelligence.
What led you to UVA’s MSBA Program?
The rigorous curriculum of UVA’s MSBA Program, combined with the Darden School of Business’ global reputation for academic excellence, sets it apart in the world of business education. The MSBA Program’s blend of technical skills and strategic insight, delivered by world-renowned faculty who emphasize experiential, case-based learning, prepares students to tackle real-world challenges with finesse. Additionally, the diverse student body offers an invaluable peer-to-peer learning experience, while the vast alumni network opens up unparalleled professional opportunities.
What is your best piece of advice for prospective students?
My best piece of advice for prospective students is to believe in yourself. While feelings of imposter syndrome might emerge, it’s crucial to remember that you are capable and deserving of this opportunity. Embrace the journey and the challenges it brings, as it can be a transformative experience. It has already significantly changed my life for the better, and I firmly believe it can do the same for you. So, go into it with confidence and a willingness to grow—it’s an incredible journey that’s well worth it!
Contact: fhk4wj@virginia.edu
What is your professional/academic background?
I earned my B.A. in Political Science and obtained a commission as a Naval Officer from Texas A&M University. Over the past seven years, I have dedicated myself to active duty service. Currently, I hold the position of Assistant Professor of Naval Science at the NROTC Unit at the University of Virginia.
What led you to UVA’s MSBA Program?
The rich history and reputation of the University of Virginia, coupled with the distinctive opportunity to tap into the extensive networks affiliated with both the Darden School of Business and the McIntire School of Commerce, played an important role in my decision to join the MSBA Program. As I gained more exposure to the program through events, I became increasingly drawn to the unique advantages that UVA offers.
What is your best piece of advice for prospective students?
My best advice for incoming students is to take full advantage of the extensive resources offered by UVA and the MSBA Program. The program and professors consistently go the extra mile to help students with the tools for success, irrespective of their prior experience. As long as you buy in and commit, success is attainable.