Data Science Initiative

The rapid increase in large, complex data sets has resulted in a great demand for professionals who are trained to manage and analyze them. According to Forbes, “Data Scientist” is third on the list of in-demand tech jobs that employers are struggling to fill. TechCrunch says that “We have a global talent shortage, and the demand for data scientists continues to grow rapidly, far outpacing the anemic growth in supply.”

Eastern Kentucky University has launched an interdisciplinary initiative to produce data scientists at the undergraduate level in central Kentucky and enhance data science skills in general. Faculty from a variety of departments at EKU collaborated to create a new Certificate in Applied Data Science and continue to work together to promote data science through guest speakers, computing groups, and events such as DataFest.