Charlize Villanueva '26 loves using data to solve problems, but there's one question she doesn't have the security clearance to answer.
Villanueva's dad knew years ago that his oldest daughter has the brains and intellectual curiosity to thrive in applied data science. He works in a similar field. Well, Villanueva thinks that he does, but she's not entirely sure. And even if she was sure, she couldn't say.
"I know he works for the government. I get hints about his job through hypothetical examples, but any time I try to really connect the dots, he just says, 'I cannot confirm or deny.'"
It's hard to walk in someone's footsteps when you can't quite see them – but Villanueva has been walking (actually, sprinting) toward a career in data science, and perhaps government intelligence, since her freshman year of high school.
"I've always liked puzzles. Data science is all about finding patterns and finding the connections to create a picture. It applies everywhere, so there's a lot of range to it."
Villanueva is especially interested in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), which connects data to a map and integrates location data with all types of descriptive information. She breezed through high school in Waldorf, Maryland with enough college credits to earn her associate's degree at a local community college in a single semester. Next, she looked to transfer into a four-year school as a 19-year-old junior with a focus on GIS.
"The specific program I wanted was very niche. Not a lot of colleges offer it. When I did my research, I discovered that Siena – which I had never heard of – makes it really easy to customize your major. It came down to Siena and a big research university. I chose Siena because everyone was just so nice and accommodating during my visit."
Villanueva has worked closely with Matt Bellis, Ph.D., professor of physics, to design her own applied data science major with a specialization in GIS. In fact, she's partnered with Bellis this summer on a CURCA project that will visualize and interpret admissions data, using GIS, for Siena's Enrollment Management leadership team.
"I'm so happy that Charlize found her way to Siena," said Bellis. "I'm sure we are not on the radar of every college-bound student from the Mid-Atlantic... but we should be! Charlize is a perfect example of what a strong, prepared, and motivated student can do when they arrive on campus. She has taken advantage of every opportunity she has had at Siena and excelled. I can't wait to see what her senior year brings!"
Villanueva is on track to graduate next May, two months shy of her 21st birthday. Her path may lead her to work as an independent contractor or maybe straight to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, a sub-agency of the Department of Defense supporting national security through GIS. Would that in any way intersect with her dad's work? Who knows... but Villanueva just wants to solve puzzles.
"How can I use this information I have to benefit people? That's what I want to do. I just love learning and connecting the dots. Everything happens somewhere. I get lazy if I don't have a big workload. Give me the data, and let me figure it out."
