Julien Sagnol turned challenges into success, earning a perfect academic record and recognition as the Walker College of Business’s outstanding graduate in Applied Data Analytics. He was also inducted into the Cratis D. Williams Society, an honor reserved for the top 2% of App State graduate students.
Related: Business graduate students selected as Cratis D. Williams Society inductees
Julien balanced graduate coursework, an assistantship, and leadership roles, all while adapting to life in a new country. The international student from France believes students should “try as many things as you can, don’t ever be afraid to fail.”
His experience as a student-athlete in collegiate and regional soccer shaped his ability to lead and collaborate. “Working, taking graduate courses, and completing an assistantship were hard to balance, but they taught me that a lot of things are possible with discipline,” he said.
Julien credits Dr. Lori Medder and Dr. Jason Xiong for mentorship that made a lasting impact on his Appalachian Experience. After graduation, he will join ARCHETYPE Investments in Charlotte as a financial data analytics associate.
Julien’s journey reminds us that curiosity and discipline can turn obstacles into opportunities. Julien is one of 399 December 2025 graduates of the Walker College of Business. Read more student stories: business.appstate.edu/news/students.
About App State's Master of Science in Applied Data Analytics Program
Organizations increasingly rely upon structured and unstructured large-scale data for operational and strategic decision-making. App State's Master of Science in Applied Data Analytics degree provides students with not only the technical skills to work with data but also to do so within the business context. The program develops business professionals who understand and apply data analytics concepts, techniques, and tools to promote effective organizational problem-solving. Learn more at business.appstate.edu/analytics.
