Oldest person to receive a computer science master's from ASU graduates

In May, Michael Sneberger became the oldest person at 60 years old to earn a computer science master's degree from Arizona State University's Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering’s School of  Computing and Augmented Intelligence.

As a successful data privacy lawyer, Sneberger wanted technical knowledge to add to his legal skillset, according to a press release. Beginning his pursuit of knowledge in 2016 at Scottsdale Community College, he eventually transferred to ASU.

Sneberger took advantage of ASU’s“deficiency pathway,” which allows students who already have a degree to take the core classes required, to gain a bachelor’s degree in computer science and later a master’s in computer science.

In the summer of 2019, he began the master’s program, tackling tasks like a 7,500-word paper on the intersection of science and the law that Sneberger had to continuously update especially after two Supreme Court decisions impacted his analysis.

“Ultimately, what was a class paper in ASU LAW 703 turned into a 10,000-word very significant article titled ‘Reconciling Competing Data Security Standards Applicable to Retail Banks Operating in California in light of Van Buren and TransUnion’ published in a global privacy law review in October 2021,” the release stated.

Sneberger’s classes continued, and in May, after 13 undergraduate and 10 graduate classes, he received his master’s degree.

Today, armed with newfound technology chops – including a deep understanding of artificial intelligence concepts – Sneberger aims to open up new opportunities for a data privacy attorney, as data privacy and protection – like everything else – becomes more technologically sophisticated with the advent of AI in every aspect of the law, according to the release.

Aside from his academic pursuit, Sneberger was a rock-n-roll photographer in his younger days, and his work was featured on American Idol.

He is a certified helicopter pilot, and while continuing to practice law in the area of data privacy and protection, is currently working on a facial recognition system for the fashion industry that will appear on social media, the release aded.