Student News
Master's in Data Science student Erick Anangwe Stands Out as an Academic and Leader
April 01, 2025
Erick Anangwe’s journey to a master's in data science and analytics began when he landed a role at an IT company that specialized in AI model development. In this role, he worked as a human-in-the-loop, collecting and annotating data for training AI models.
His interactions with machine learning engineers during client meetings sparked his curiosity for machine learning and AI. “I wanted to know what they do and how they build these models,” he says. To feed his curiosity he started researching and his research led him to the discovery that a career in machine learning would require data science skills. Determined to break into the field, he decided to pursue a master's in data science.
When deciding where to study, Anangwe knew he wanted to be in the U.S. given its leadership in AI research and technology. He reached out to friends studying in different states and was particularly drawn to GVSU because of its well-rounded curriculum, which integrates statistics with information systems, and its emphasis on experiential learning.
Now that he has been a student in the data science and analytics program, Anangwe appreciates the hands-on learning approaches at GVSU, especially through group projects and collaborative assignments. “For my CIS 500 class I worked on a text based Wordle game from scratch and was able to play it on my computer. This project challenged me and forced me to learn and grow. Coming from a non-programming background, this project was a defining moment for me as it boosted my confidence in my skills and abilities to adapt,” he says.
Anangwe is actively involved in the College of Computing community. Currently, Anangwe is a research assistant in the Innovative AI and Data Science Lab, working on a project that predicts crime hotspots using spatiotemporal crime data. “Our goal is to create a model that helps criminologists and even potential homebuyers understand crime trends in different neighborhoods.”
He also is the President of International Friendships, Inc. (IFI) at GVSU, a student organization that connects international students with local volunteers and organizations. “We help students build community, offering support in academics, professional development, and social life. We also host fun events—skiing, game nights, and even workshops on taxes and resumes.”
Beyond his studies, Anangwe wears multiple hats. He is a Graduate Assistant for International Student Engagement in the College of Computing, where he develops programs to help international students integrate into campus life and professional networks. “Since this was a new initiative, we had to brainstorm and build engagement strategies from scratch. It’s been a rewarding experience.” Anangwe also works as a teaching assistant, supporting students through office hours, grading assignments, and learning firsthand how professors design courses to enhance student learning. “It has been interesting to see how students approach problems differently, even with the same instructions.”
On top of all that, Anangwe serves as a resident assistant overseeing a group of students in campus housing. “I organize community events; help resolve conflicts and refer students to campus resources. It has been a great way to support and guide fellow students.”
His advice to other students? “Talk to as many people as you can because your network truly is your net worth. Talking to fellow students, professors, and professionals opens doors to opportunities you wouldn’t even imagine.”
Written by Naomi Sang.