The strong connection that Dr. Vikas Sinha, his wife Anuradha and their family have to the University of North Texas was forged in a passion for data science and commitment to student success. That connection was made just a handful of years ago, and in the short time since, the Sinhas have made major waves in the world of data science education in North Texas and beyond.

In the last year, the family has gifted over $5 million to support the UNT College of Information, including more than $3 million to establish The Anuradha and Vikas Sinha Department of Data Science and now an additional $2.15 million to create The Sinha Innovation Lab for Data Science.

And it all started with a phone call.

After years of contemplating going back to school and finally finishing the Ph.D. he had sought after all those years ago, Vikas Sinha decided he was ready. He reached out to one of his alma maters, Northwestern University, which told him he would need to attend courses in person. Living in Chicago at the time and in the process of relocating to Texas, that wasn’t an option.

Upon relocating to North Texas, Sinha began noticing billboards and signs about the University of North Texas and its academic programs and he decided to call and gather options.

“I called and somebody said, ‘No, we can do a Ph.D. program in information sciences, and you could focus on data science, but again, we don't have a program that is for working professionals,’” Sinha says. “So, the residency requirement for certain semesters is still there. And I said it was not going to work for me. And that was it.”

Until it wasn’t.

Fast forward several months to Sinha’s phone ringing, a jingle with the answer to his prayers on the other line.

“It was a reach out from the UNT College of Information saying, ‘Hey, we’re trying to start a program based out of Frisco for working professionals,’” Sinha says. “It was a full Ph.D. program, but then it was going to be accommodative to working professionals and geared towards people who have full time jobs.”

They asked if he was still interested, and Dr. Sinha jumped at the opportunity. Dr. Sinha says it was very meaningful to receive that call.

“Somebody actually took note of what my needs were, and I was very surprised with that,” Sinha says. “It was amazing. People don't do that.”

Dr. Sinha, who serves as the vice president of Mainframe Software Division at Broadcom, completed his Ph.D. in 2023.

In summer 2024, the family made their initial gift commitment that established the Department of Data Science, creating endowments to support student scholarships, professorships, research and special initiatives within the UNT College of Information, ensuring continued success and broader impact. The Department celebrated its official opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony in May 2025.

The Sinha Innovation Lab for Data Science will support the department through cutting edge research and innovative techniques.

“We have always believed in the gift of education,” Sinha says. “We firmly believe anything on the education front brings about a generational change, and when we saw at UNT there were so many first-generation college graduates and their families — that actually changes that family for generations to come and that is very fulfilling.”

UNT College of Information Dean Kinshuk says the Sinha family is making a transformational impact on the lives of UNT students and in the field of data science.

“The Sinhas have been transforming the future of our students, and their generous support to establish the Sinha Innovation Lab for Data Science will take that to new heights,” Kinshuk says. “The state-of-the-art lab will not only provide advanced skills and knowledge to the students but will also create tremendous opportunities for advancing the faculty research, as well as industry partnerships.”

Dr. Sinha has served on the UNT College of Information Leadership Board since 2023, and says he is interested in removing barriers and unlocking opportunities that ensure students are set up for success after graduation.

“I think the big thing about UNT always has been the inclusivity. This university is bringing people in and ensuring that they all have great education and are prepared for the job market,” he says. “And right now, data science is really at the heart of the job market, regardless of the domain you're working in.”

With this gift, the Sinha family further solidifies its legacy of generosity at UNT and continues to shape the future of data science education, providing North Texas students with even more opportunities to excel in their fields.