The University of Michigan School of Information held a poster fair and reception on April 30 to celebrate graduates of its fully online Master of Applied Data Science. 

Since launching in 2019, the rigorous but flexible degree program has attracted professionals from a range of industries, enabling them to pivot careers or apply data science in their current roles. For 2023 graduates who landed their first data science position after earning the MADS degree, $107,000 was the average starting salary.

“The program continues to flourish and evolve,” said Kevyn Collins-Thompson, program director and professor of information and computer science. “We continue to advance the MADS curriculum to keep pace with rapid changes in data science.”

MADS students represent the most diversity in age and geography of any UMSI degree program. Hailing from across the U.S. and abroad, many graduates made the trip to Ann Arbor to participate in the UMSI and U-M commencement ceremonies and celebrate this milestone with peers, families, faculty and staff. 

“It’s such a joy to be together in person to share this moment,” Collins-Thompson said in his remarks at the reception. “Each program here at UMSI has its own highlights. MADS is closest to my heart.”

2025 MADS Reception and Poster Fair

Many MADS graduates gathered on campus on April 30 for a celebratory reception. (Photos: Jeffrey M. Smith)

Lecturer Alex McLeod chats with students.

A MADS poster fair featured graduates' capstone projects.

Andreea Serban poses with MADS program director Kevyn Collins-Thompson. Her capstone project with Chris McAllister, "Analyzing Brands on Reddit," earned first prize.

Celia Banks poses with MADS program director Kevyn Collins-Thompson. Her capstone project earned second prize.

At the UMSI graduation reception on May 1, MADS graduates connect with each other.

A graduate celebrates a milestone.

Visit the School of Information’s 2025 graduation archive to view the full photo gallery 📸

Celia Banks, founder and CEO of big data and analytics company I-Meta, chose the MADS program because of its emphasis on the practical application of data science techniques to solve real-world problems.

Initially, she had enrolled in a data science program at another university. “The challenge I had with that program was that I was yearning to learn to apply things at a faster rate than they could deliver,” she said. 

Banks tends to seek out challenges. She holds a PhD in human and organization systems, as well as an MBA, and is the inventor of a patented technology system for acquiring big data and deriving analytics. 

But topics like Python and machine learning were intimidating to her when she first entered the MADS program. She said she felt supported by UMSI’s faculty and academic advisors throughout. 

“Now I can write code in my sleep,” she laughed. 

Banks’ capstone project, which earned second prize in its category at the UMSI Student Project Exposition, is a machine learning algorithm that detects and mitigates biases in social networks. Leveraging generative AI, it aims to reduce implicit biases in user interactions, minimizing harmful or offensive content while limiting the need for human oversight. 

“The capstone really showed me what I learned through this program, starting from the basics of understanding data science, to data science ethics, as well as the deep learning, machine learning and database architecture courses,” Banks said. “The professors, students and interactions along the way make it such an awesome and worthwhile program.”

Visit the School of Information’s 2025 graduation archive to watch the graduation ceremony, view the full photo gallery, print a souvenir program and order UMSI merchandise. 

Learn more about UMSI’s online Master of Applied Data Science program. 

Read the stories of some of the students who decided to further their careers with UMSI’s Master of Applied Data Science degree program.