Grad Student Profile: Monse Hernandez

Starting Strong: First-Year Graduate Students Share Their Semester Highlights

December 8, 2025 Gregory Hedgepeth 3-min. read

Monse Hernandez came back to NC State to turn research into real-world insight. As an undergraduate, she worked with Dr. John Begeny at the HELPS Education Fund, collaborating with Ph.D. students and watching their work grow from ideas into impact. Those hands-on experiences — paired with candid conversations with NC State graduate alumni — showed her what advanced study can unlock. Now a first-year master’s student at the Institute for Advanced Analytics, Monse is building on that foundation to translate data into decisions that serve schools, communities and the broader Wolfpack.

Tell us about your journey to graduate school and what led you to NC State.
As an NC State undergraduate, my experience as a research assistant for Dr. John Begeny at the HELPS Education Fund was pivotal. Collaborating with PhD students and seeing their academic growth gave me firsthand exposure to the opportunities in higher education. This, combined with conversations with past NC State graduate students, solidified my decision to return to NC State to pursue my advanced degree at the Institute for Advanced Analytics here at NC State.

Hear first-year master’s student Monse Hernandez talk about her first semester experience at NC State University.

How has your semester been thus far and is graduate school what you expected?
I’m the first in my family to attend graduate school, so my only experience with graduate school comes from social media. Where I doom scrolled into a panic! However, my experience at NC State, specifically within the Institute of Advanced Analytics, has been the total opposite of those expectations. While the coursework is rigorous, the unwavering support from faculty and my peers has been a foundation for success. Making great friends, connecting deeply with faculty, and meeting many IAA alumni have truly made this semester an amazing experience.

Tell us about your research
My research experience is unique to the Institute for Advanced Analytics (IAA) curriculum, where we participate in a hands-on Practicum experience working with companies across the U.S. Currently, my team is utilizing geospatial data analysis on our sponsor’s data to uncover new business opportunities and needs. This real-world application is key to my development. In the Spring Semester, we will forecast our findings and present them to the company’s stakeholders.

What does being an NC State graduate student mean to you?
Being an NC State graduate to me is the embodiment of the village behind me. I am here from all my hard work and perseverance, but not only my own – the people behind me that pushed me in ways they could. My parents were unable to attend school after elementary school, and although they have not been able to pursue higher education, their work ethic has shown me that education will open doors for me. This journey as a graduate student at NC State honors all the sacrifices of my community that believes in me.

How has the Graduate School and/or NC State helped you with your professional development?
At the Institute for Advanced Analytics, career services are integrated into the curriculum, a feature not commonly found in other schools. April Wilson and Kate Bagley have been instrumental in developing my professional development, from resume building and mock interviews to the resources made available to me; it has all been pivotal in my professional development. Additionally, the faculty members have all embedded practical applications in our coursework that can be applied in many different fields.

What advice do you have for new or current graduate students?
I would emphasize to new and current graduate students to ask questions. School at any level can be challenging; seeking clarification is pivotal to success. I have quickly learned that faculty and peers are there to support you, take advantage of this experience, and learn as much as you can.

Tell us something interesting about you.
I recently had the incredible opportunity to visit Michoacán, Mexico, the region that inspired the Disney movie Coco. While there, I learned a good amount of the Purépecha dialect, and I plan on visiting again next year!