Master of Science in Information (MSI) students

The Master of Science in Information is a professional, interdisciplinary degree that prepares students for a range of information-related careers. Students representing a huge range of personal and educational backgrounds are pursuing their graduate education through this program, focusing on areas like data science and analytics, digital archives and library science, UX research and design, and human computer interaction, among others.

Hailing from across the US and the globe, students in the MSI program are in many different stages of their academic and professional careers. They have chosen to continue their education at UMSI in order to learn at the forefront of the information science field, and their individual plans for their enhanced skill sets and foundations of knowledge post-graduation range from the entrepreneurial to the academic. These Faces of UMSI profiles will give you an introduction to some of the exceptional personalities in our MSI program. Read about their areas of interest and educational histories, what brought them to U-M (or what kept them here), their most valuable experiences and opportunities, and what they envision doing with their degrees down the line.

Master of Science in Information (MSI) students

Uche Eke has mastered the art of balance at UMSI, graduating with a 4.0 GPA and a Margaret Mann Award while training with Michigan Gymnastics to represent Nigeria in the Olympics.

Thais Gonzalez is swinging for the fences at UMSI after COVID-19 changed her vision for the future.

Trisha Gupta’s drive to apply her passion for social media and her UX design skills to real world prospects drew her across the Great Lakes from Toronto to UMSI.

Allison Thorsen is bringing new life to pieces of the ancient world with her new exhibit, Literature in Fragments: Lost Greek Works at Michigan.

Hope Tambala is telling stories through data in order to change health care in the Dominican Republic.

Jaklyn Nunga, a Peace Corps volunteer, has returned after spending more than two years growing a community in Ecuador.

JoAnna Lincoln is a first responder when it comes to heavily damaged archival materials -- fire, smoke, water, mold, mildew, pests.

Joe Soonthornsawad is utilizing his time at UMSI to study how people understand tracking and data mining on social platforms, and designing tools that encourage people to take action to protect their privacy.

Kangning Chen is embarking on grad school and motherhood while working at the intersection of policy research and data analytics.

Madel Leal is a self-described social justice engineer working at home and abroad to support the human center of the information field.

Matthew Cloutier is teaching students about music, marching and data-oriented programming as a graduate student instructor -- while pursuing his own studies in human computer interaction.

Matt Garvin is working from his home to turn unforeseen hurdles of 2020 into learning opportunities.

Novia Wong is implementing UX solutions in special education classrooms in order to help children thrive.

Rachel McCoucha is here to help people find exactly what they're looking for.

Rohit Mogalayapalli is harnessing the power of analytics to improve Michigan Athletics as the founder of the Michigan Sports Analytics Society.

Salma Siddiqui is combining data science with organizational development to become a recruiter with employees' best interests at heart.

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