Through the innovative X + Data Science (X + DS) program, Grainger Engineering's Wade Fagen-Ulmschneider and affiliate Karle Flanagan are preparing thousands of Illinois students to shape the future of technology, business and society through the power of data.
The X + DS program at Illinois is transforming how students across disciplines engage with data by pairing traditional majors with foundational data science coursework. Launched in 2019 with 18 students, the X + DS program now serves thousands of students each year, with record enrollments in the flagship CS/STAT 107: Data Science Discovery course. Co-taught by Karle Flanagan (Statistics) and Wade Fagen-Ulmschneider (Computer Science), the program combines real-world, project-driven learning with interdisciplinary applications, preparing students from over 90 majors to thrive in a data-driven world.