Lisa Powers Proves It’s Possible to Do It All
Lisa Powers has always been driven by curiosity. Growing up with an interest in psychology, she was fascinated by understanding why people think the way they do. This passion led her to study neuroscience at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, guiding her into full-time research roles across Tennessee and Colorado. Today, she works for a clinical research organization focused on testing new drugs for safety and regulations before they enter the market.
Realizing the importance of data in her field, Lisa pursued a Master of Science in Data Analytics (MSDA) at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. The program’s flexibility has been crucial, enabling her to balance her studies with her responsibilities as a wife and mother of two.
Lisa is set to graduate in December, and she has already made significant professional advancements due to her coursework. For instance, utilizing skills from her MSDA classes—such as data cleaning and big data analysis—she streamlined a process at work, resulting in an impressive 83% reduction in time needed for the task. This achievement led to a presentation to 1,500 people and a job promotion.
But it’s not just her career that thrives; Lisa’s family life flourishes as well. Alongside her studies, she enjoys spending time with her family at music festivals, farmers markets, and comedy shows. She started her MSDA program when her youngest daughter was just two years old, illustrating her remarkable ability to juggle various facets 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,” Lisa shared.
Lisa credits her supportive advisors and professors for making her educational journey smoother. As her capstone project, she combined her interests in motherhood and medical research, focusing on maternal health in Tennessee. Collaborating with the Journey Health Foundation Research Center, she researched social determinants of health, identifying counties that need more support for maternal health.
“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,” she explained. “Applying advanced data skills allowed me to advocate for women’s health in a tangible, data-driven way.”
As she approaches her final semester, Lisa encourages others not to let doubts or busy schedules deter them from pursuing a master’s degree. “I did it one class at a time, without feeling pressure from the staff at UTC to do it differently,” she noted.
Feeling grateful for the knowledge and skills she’s gained, Lisa looks forward to earning her degree—a milestone she hopes will inspire her daughters to believe in their own limitless potential.
Take your next step to invest in yourself while prioritizing what matters to you. Learn more about the Master of Science in Data Analytics at UTC.
