Data Analytics Program Empowers Students and Drives Success for Women in In-Demand Careers

Sinclair Community College continues to raise the bar in data analytics education by empowering more students with critical skills for in demand, living wage careers. By leveraging grant funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF), Sinclair has expanded its data analytics programs and increased enrollment and completion for female students.

In 2021, Sinclair received more than $576,000 in NSF grant funding to better prepare students for data analytics careers through new programs, increased engagement with high school students, and enhanced efforts to attract and retain more female students. The grant, “Expanding the Data Analytics Technician Pipeline from High School into College and High Demand Jobs in Southwest Ohio,” resulted in multiple new programs and initiatives:

A new Data Literacy Foundations short-term certificate students can begin in high school to accelerate their completion of a Sinclair Data Analytics associate degree.
Three new data analytics college-level courses for both high school and college students.
- Intro to Data Literacy
- Intro to Data Science
- Advanced Python for Data Analytics
Career awareness and academic components for high school juniors and seniors with experiential learning activities to increase interest in data-related careers.
Data competitions for students to incite interest in data careers and to teach the life cycle of data using real-world data sets supplied by industry partners.
Annual high school teacher workshop to provide high school instructors information about Big Data careers and academic pathways.
College student participation in professional conferences offering opportunities to learn from and connect with professionals in the field.

"Sinclair’s data analytics program is a model for the future of education," said Paul Hansford, Associate Professor – Sinclair College Computer Science and Information Technology Department. "By creating pathways that meet the needs of a wide range of learners—from high school students to career-shifting professionals—we are not only building a skilled workforce but also fostering innovation that can drive our local and national economies forward."

Meeting Workforce Demands in the Digital Age

Data literacy is the ability to read, write, communicate, and reason with data. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of data scientists and analysts is projected to grow 35% through the year 2032, with approximately 17,700 openings projected each year.

Since the 2019-20 academic year, Sinclair has achieved a 308% increase in enrollment in its data analytics programs from 38 students to 155 for AY2023-24.

“Data literacy has become a vital skill across sectors, and Sinclair’s comprehensive program aims to meet that need head-on. Since the program’s inception, Sinclair has worked with local industries to build a pathway from high school into college, helping students and workers alike to thrive in data analytics careers. The stackable credentials offered through Sinclair enable quick upskilling, with pathways that prepare learners for immediate job opportunities while supporting long-term educational goals,” added Hansford.

Driving Inclusive Innovation Through Education

The 2022-2023 USA Diversity in Data Report found that women hold just 26% of data and analytics jobs in the United States.

Sinclair is making significant progress in its efforts to increase the number of female students in the data analytics program. A study, supported by the NSF funding, revealed that flexible schedules, affordable tuition, and the program’s welcoming, inclusive environment were key factors in its ability to attract and retain female students.

The efforts are paying off. During the 2019-20 academic year (AY), 19 female students were enrolled in Sinclair’s data analytics programs. That number grew 58% with 30 female students enrolled during AY2023-24. In addition, Sinclair’s data programs have reached a more equal balance of male and female students. Enrollment figures over the past five years show more female students were enrolled in Sinclair’s data analytics programs: 80 female students, 75 male students.

Empowering Data Students Through Innovative Competitions

In 2023 and 2024, Sinclair hosted American Statistical Association (ASA) DataFest Student Competitions at the Centerville campus.

During the competition, students divided into teams to analyze and find meaning in large and complex datasets. Sinclair Computer Information Systems (CIS), Information Technology (IT), Math, Marketing, Design, and Communication-related majors and certificate programs participated. The students also received guidance from faculty and industry partners.

“With data, if you don’t make the connections to what it means, it’s just a whole bunch of random information. Looking at it from a historical perspective, you’ve got to make sense out of it. I was proud of the work we did during the DataFest Competition. It’s also good experience for public speaking and doing presentations,” said April Littleton, Sinclair data analytics student and 2024 DataFest Competition “Best in Show” Award recipient.

Student Professional Development

The NSF grant also supported professional development opportunities for Sinclair students to attend data conferences and events. Data analytics program graduate Corrinne Torpey attended the Women in Analytics - DataConnect 2024 conference over the summer in Columbus, Ohio.

"I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to attend the DataConnect Conference this summer. The break-out sessions offered a wealth of information, on a wide variety of topics. I particularly enjoyed the session on data visualization; it was gratifying that nearly all the points covered in the presentation were ones I had learned in class. What a great reinforcement of what a strong data analytics program this is. The speakers were all women leading the way in the data industry. Their stories were so inspiring,” said Torpey.

Preparing for the Next Leap: AI Skills for 2025 and Beyond

Looking to the future, Sinclair is preparing to integrate advanced artificial intelligence (AI) skills into its curriculum, ensuring that students are well-prepared for the digital landscape of 2025 and beyond. AI is rapidly becoming a cornerstone of data analytics.

By developing AI-focused certificates and advanced analytics coursework in 2025, Sinclair aims to empower students and professionals with cutting-edge skills that will enable them to excel in AI-driven environments. This bold step ensures that Sinclair continues to meet the ever-evolving needs of the workforce while maintaining its reputation for delivering quality education.

Sinclair Computer Science and Information Technology

Sinclair Community College currently offers more than 20 computer science and information technology degrees and certificates. Over the past five years, nearly 2,400 Sinclair Community College students have earned computer science and information technology degrees and certifications.

To learn more about program offerings, visit Sinclair.edu/Computer-Information.

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