Mehar Virdi

“I joined the MS in Learning Analytics because I wanted to level up my K-12 career and open the door to all kinds of future opportunities. I was looking for programs at the intersection of K-12 education and data, and after doing some research, UW-Madison was the one that excited me the most. Through conversations, I could really get the sense that the people behind the program are connected to classroom realities, which was really important for me when making a decision.”

DATA-DRIVEN K-12 PROFESSIONAL

Mehar Virdi is a Content Analyst at Hanover Research, where he conducts quantitative analyses, develops data-driven reports, and provides actionable recommendations to K-12 education clients. He also trains new analysts and supports survey design and programming using Qualtrics, while conducting data analysis using tools such as Power BI, Excel, and R. He was recently recognized with Hanover’s Insight Illuminator award for translating data into actionable insights that inform strategy. Prior to this role, he served as a Data and Assessment Specialist at Success Academy Charter Schools, where he led assessment operations, trained staff in data literacy, and ranked in the top 10% of network assessment team KPIs. He began his career as an elementary teacher, earning a network-wide Growth award for instructional excellence, and holds a BA from the University of Virginia.

WHERE DATA MEETS THOUGHTFUL DECISION-MAKING

Mehar Virdi’s path into education began with a broader goal of making a positive societal impact, but his time in K-12 schools quickly became a lasting professional focus. Having worked as both a teacher and an analyst, he is especially interested in how data can help schools make thoughtful, equitable decisions. He is drawn to efficiency, optimization, and clear problem-solving, while also recognizing that data has limits and must be interpreted with care. This perspective shapes his approach to learning analytics: using evidence not as a shortcut to answers, but as a tool that, combined with human judgment, can support better outcomes for students and educators.