Willamette University School of Computing and Information Sciences

09/29/2026

Is a Master’s in Data Science right for you? One of the most common questions prospective data science students ask is: Am I technical enough?

The good news? You don’t need to arrive knowing every programming language, statistical method, or machine learning tool. That’s what you’re here to learn.

Willamette University’s Master’s in Data Science is designed for students with a wide range of experiences, including recent graduates, working professionals, and career changers.

Your background might be in math, business, healthcare, education, marketing, research, policy, operations, or something entirely different. Each of those experiences can bring a valuable perspective to the classroom, and to the way you approach data.

To be eligible for the program, you’ll need to complete at least one college-level statistics course before enrolling, and GMAT and GRE scores are optional.

So, if data science is where you want to go next, don’t assume your background has to fit into one particular box.

Curious how your experience could translate to a Master’s in Data Science? Learn more about admission requirements: https://willamette.edu/admissions/apply/grad/data-science

09/28/2026

What if AI’s future is more hopeful than the headlines suggest? The news is full of increasingly bleak stories about AI gone rogue and predictions about what artificial intelligence could mean for our future. But what about responsible AI usage that improves lives?

Join Willamette University’s School of Computing & Information Sciences for Envision 2026, our annual fall speaker and networking event bringing together students, alumni, faculty, and professionals from across the data science community for an evening of conversation, connection, food, and drinks.

This year, we’re exploring the optimistic side of AI with two industry experts:

Lucas Cordova, Associate Professor of Computer Science at Willamette, will share insights from the adaptive teaching platform he’s developing through a multi-institution, five-year, $2 million National Science Foundation grant.

Addie Olson, Founder of Cascadia Solutions and fractional Deputy Director of AI Services at CauseMic, will bring her industry perspective to the conversation around AI and its potential for positive impact.

Friday, October 16, 2026
6-8:30 p.m.
Willamette Graduate & Professional Center | Ecotrust Building, Portland
Registration deadline: Monday, October 12

Come for a glimpse into what responsible, thoughtful, and innovative AI usage can look like and stay for the opportunity to connect with fellow students, alumni, and professionals shaping the future of AI and data science.

Don’t miss Envision 2026! Learn more and register here: https://engage.willamette.edu/page/102836/event/1?utm_medium=email&utm_source=en&utm_campaign=SCIS%20Networking%20Event&utm_content=EN27ECISE2+-+SCIS+Envision+-+SCIS+Alumni+-+Email+1+5576426099

09/24/2026

Sometimes, one conversation can change the direction of your career. 📊👟

For Georgia Kirkpatrick MS’26, that conversation happened at a Willamette career event featuring Portland footwear company KEEN.

Georgia came to Willamette’s Master’s in Data Science program after working in the fashion industry, bringing with her an interest in mission-driven business—and a longtime love for KEEN. When she saw an opportunity to meet the company’s recruiters on campus, she made sure to introduce herself, share her background, and tell them that working with KEEN would be a dream opportunity.

A few weeks later, a recruiter reached out. A new data-focused internship had opened, and Georgia had been recommended for the role.

That internship ultimately led to something even bigger: a long-term position as a Sustainability Data Scientist at KEEN, where Georgia is now putting her Willamette education to work supporting environmental impact at a company she already loved.

“The KEEN internship information session gave me a huge advantage in my career search by bringing me face-to-face with senior recruiters from one of my favorite Portland brands.”

Georgia’s story is a great example of what can happen when technical education, career support, and meaningful professional connections come together.

Congratulations, Georgia! We can’t wait to see where your career in data takes you next.

Read more about Georgia’s story and Willamette’s approach to career development: https://news.willamette.edu/library/2026/09/career-symposium-series.html

09/22/2026

“Data scientist” is more than a job title. You don’t have to work at a tech company, or even have “data” in your job title, to build a career using data science.

Data shapes decisions across healthcare, business, government, education, research, sports, nonprofits, and nearly every other sector. With a background in data science, you’ll develop skills that can open doors to a wide range of careers, including: Data Analyst, Business Intelligence Specialist, Data Engineer, Machine Learning Specialist, and Policy Analyst.

What do these roles have in common? The ability to work with complex information, identify meaningful patterns, and turn those insights into real-world solutions.

That’s the value of studying data science: it doesn’t lock you into one career path. It gives you a stronger set of tools to choose your own.

https://willamette.edu/academics/computing/data-science/

09/16/2026

Collaborative research with Willamette faculty can be a great opportunity for students to gain valuable experience applying their coursework and expanding knowledge into new fields.

When Julia Martin BS/MS’28 and Lucy Dobson BS’29 heard about the chance to gain research experience as part of the Computing Research Association’s UR2PHD program, they were encouraged by Assistant Professor of Computer Science Calvin Deutschbein to apply. Designed to encourage students to pursue research careers in computer science, the UR2PHD initiative provided funding and a pre-research class, helping the students feel ready to take on the challenge.

The students’ research took on an important problem: how accidental data leakage can create security vulnerabilities in hardware components. To tackle the problem, the students had to dive deep into the literature on these systems and cybersecurity issues. They then developed code to help simplify and visualize large datasets.

The project will eventually result in a tool that will help future hardware developers make more secure systems.

“Our goal is to provide a free open-source tool to evaluate the security of data flow within a hardware system so testing can be performed before production,” Martin and Dobson say.

With faculty mentorship and the support of peers, research experiences at Willamette provide fruitful opportunities for students to take on new challenges and test their limits — while making breakthroughs that will help the next generation of students and shape the future of technology.

09/15/2026

At Willamette University, academic excellence is fueled by close-knit mentorship and a shared passion for discovery. For the 2026–2027 academic year, a new cohort of faculty joins our Salem and Portland campuses — scholars, artists, researchers, and leaders who bring dynamic expertise and fresh energy to our classrooms.

From cutting-edge research to creative innovation, our incoming professors bring broad expertise to Salem and Portland.

09/14/2026

From floating candles in the Mill Stream to jump starting careers, Willamette’s newest students kicked off the academic year with a week of tradition and community.

From floating candles in the Mill Stream to jump starting careers, Willamette’s newest students kicked off the academic year with a week of tradition and community.

09/09/2026

Thinking about graduate school? Let’s talk about your next step over coffee. ☕🎓

Willamette University is hitting the road this fall! Join us for a Graduate Programs Coffee Chat in your city to learn more about graduate study at Willamette and find the program that aligns with your goals.

Come chat with us about:

💻 Master of Data Science through the School of Computing & Information Sciences
📈 Early Career & Career Change MBA
📊 Master’s in Accounting & Finance

Whether you’re finishing your undergraduate degree, looking to build specialized skills, or thinking about where you want your career to go next, this is a casual opportunity to ask questions and learn about program curriculum, career opportunities, the application process, and the Willamette graduate experience.

We’re visiting Salem, Portland, Corvallis, Newberg, Monmouth, and Eugene, and we can’t wait to meet you! ☕

Even better? Each attendee will receive a complimentary drink and Willamette-branded swag.

Can’t make one of the locations or times? Let us know, and we can find a time to connect virtually.

Find a Coffee Chat near you via the link below. We look forward to meeting you and enjoying a local cup of coffee together! ☕

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe-y7FUOpqLtpfG6Q1BYkx_aPaoyDG9K54YaxvHgmVegjj1xA/viewform

09/09/2026

Willamette University will lead a multi-institution, five-year, $2 million National Science Foundation grant to transform how software engineering is taught.

Lucas Cordova, Associate Professor of Computer Science at Willamette University’s School of Computing and Information Sciences will partner with Jeffrey Carver of the University of Alabama and Gursimran Walia of Augusta University to develop a tool called Software Engineering Tutor (SE Tutor), an AI-infused customizable teaching and learning platform that helps translate dense code into actionable feedback.

A team led by Willamette’s Lucas Cordova will develop an industry-leading tutoring platform to help train the next generation of software engineers.

09/02/2026

Every organization has data. The challenge is knowing what to do with it. 💻📊

Which numbers matter? What patterns are real? What might the data miss? And how do you turn an analysis into a decision someone can actually use?

Willamette’s MS in Data Science is built around those questions.

You’ll develop practical skills in programming, statistics, machine learning, data engineering, and visualization while also learning to think carefully about where data comes from, what it represents, and how it should be used.

The 36-credit, in-person program includes opportunities to work with real data and complete a capstone project that demonstrates how you solve problems and implement solutions.

Build data skills. Learn what to do with them.

Gain some of today’s most in-demand skills and elevate your career. Find out how Willamette’s MS in Data Science can help you achieve your goals: https://willamette.edu/academics/computing/data-science/