Lisa Powers proves it’s possible to do it all.
Lisa Powers has always been curious. She liked psychology at a young age because she wanted to know why people think the way they do. She studied neuroscience at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, sparking an interest in understanding the data behind brain functions. Her degree led her to full-time roles in research throughout Tennessee and Colorado, using her curiosity to impact the medical field.
Today, she works for a clinical research organization, testing new drugs for safety and regulations before they go to market. She interacts with data regularly and found a way to grow: a Master of Science in Data Analytics (MSDA). Her fond undergraduate experience led her to explore programs within the UT System. She decided to take on the MSDA program at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
She’s set to graduate in December, and the program has already impacted her career.
She used skills from her MSDA classes — data cleaning, big data analysis, coding — to streamline a process within her organization. The improvement resulted in an 83%-time reduction in the process, a presentation to 1,500 people and a job promotion.
But her career isn’t her only commitment.
Lisa is a wife and mom of two. She enjoys spending time with her family at music festivals, farmers markets, standup comedy shows and trying new food. She has a lot going on, and she’s proof that the MSDA prioritizes flexibility.
Lisa started the program when her youngest was around two years old. Taking one class at a time, she said she’s like The Little Engine that Could. “The MSDA program is so flexible and so geared towards working professionals,” said Lisa. “I can choose between in-person and online classes based on where I am in a season of life.”
“The MSDA program is so flexible and so geared towards working professionals. I can choose between in-person and online classes based on where I am in a season of life.”
She credits her advisor and professors for supporting her and encouraging her throughout the program. “It’s really been a team effort,” she said. “And I feel really supported fitting it into my life in a way that works for everyone.”
She combined her passions of motherhood and medical research to focus on maternal health in Tennessee as her capstone project. She collaborated with the Journey Health Foundation Research Center, housed within the Gary W. Rollins College of Business, to collect data about social determinants of health. They looked at access to obstetricians, emergency health services, mental health professionals and more. Her research identified four counties with the highest risk of vulnerability for maternal health, with a goal of making a difference for the mothers in those areas.
“Having the opportunity and support through the MSDA program to analyze data that addressed issues that matter to me personally as both a mother and Tennessean was deeply meaningful,” said Lisa. “Applying advanced data skills to highlight challenges in postpartum maternal health allowed me to advocate for women’s health in a truly tangible, data-driven way.”
Lisa is wrapping up her final semester of the MSDA program. She encourages everyone to not let hesitation or a busy schedule hold them back from pursuing a master’s. “I did it without overrunning my life,” she said. “I did it one class at a time, without feeling pressure from the staff at UTC to do it differently.”
“I’m very thankful for the skills I’ve learned in this program,” said Lisa. “I can’t wait for my daughters to see me walk across that stage in December so they grow up knowing there’s no limit to what they can achieve.”
Take your next step to invest in yourself, while prioritizing things that matter to you. Learn more about the Master of Science in Data Analytics at UTC.
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