Michael Grantham
Michael Grantham is a data professional with three years of experience in analytics and research, specializing in statistical methodologies and data-driven decision making. He joined NSWERS on November 10, 2025, bringing a strong academic foundation and a commitment to advancing education and workforce insights across Nebraska.
In his role as Data Scientist, Grantham works closely with the Assistant Director of Research and Evaluation and NSWERS’ partner organizations to plan, organize, and execute research and evaluation functions. This includes both conducting and providing oversight for the technical quality of data analysis.
A Lincoln native, Michael holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, a master’s degree in Statistics, and a Ph.D. in Statistics—all from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. His academic and professional work reflects a deep interest in leveraging complex data to inform policy, improve systems, and support organizational strategy.
Get to Know Michael
What author, researcher, or scientist is most influential to you in your work at NSWERS?
I most admire thinkers like Gauss, Newton, and Einstein for their ability to combine rigorous theory with creative intuition when tackling deep problems.
What behavior or personality trait do you most attribute your success to, and why?
Intellectual curiosity and genuine enjoyment of the work keep me engaged and push me to explore beyond the obvious.
If I wasn’t in my field of work, I would probably be:
Working on quantitative finance problems—improving models, defining rigorous evaluation criteria, and solving challenges that span economics, math, and physics.
What’s the biggest misconception people have about your position?
Many think data science is just coding, but the real work is asking the right questions and validating assumptions.
What is a fun or interesting fact about your hometown?
Lincoln, NE was home to the Frank H. Woods Telephone Museum, featured in the Jim Carrey movie Yes Man.
Coffee or tea? Anything in it?
Coffee for me—always with a little cream and sugar.