School Of Data Science And Analytics, Industry Partnership A Cornerstone To Innovative Solutions

Press release from Kennesaw State University:

Mar 26, 2021

School of Data Science and Analytics, Industry Partnership a Cornerstone to Innovative Solutions

KENNESAW, Ga.
(Mar 26, 2021) — Before finishing his degree at Kennesaw State, Trevor Sands never thought his analytical
skills would make him a fit at one of the world’s largest flooring manufacturers.

However, he quickly learned that not only were his skills needed in the flooring industry,
but they were also needed in virtually any industry. Following a research presentation
at KSU’s annual R-Day, he was aggressively recruited by Georgia-based Shaw Industries
for an internship opportunity and was hired full time before graduating from KSU.

“I often joke that this was the job I didn’t want because I thought it would be boring,
but I couldn’t have been more wrong,” said Sands, now a data scientist at Shaw Industries.
“Once I began working with the company and seeing how I could be utilized, I started
to realize exactly how much opportunity I have to grow in my career at Shaw and why
data scientists are so sought after. We can suit every industry.”

Like Sands, more than 4,200 students in KSU’s School of Data Science and Analytics are applying their skills to help industry partners solve their most pressing problems.
The students, in return, gain exposure to a variety of potential career pathways.
Officially launched in January, the School is unique in that it is composed of students
across a variety of degree programs, including the country’s first Ph.D. in Analytics and Data Science, a master’s degree and a minor in applied statistics and data analysis. “We have taken a very interdisciplinary orientation with regard to data science,”
said Jennifer Priestley, director of the Ph.D. program. “Our students are taught this
as its own discipline; they are truly exploring the science of data. So at its core,
you will find that it is similar across all industries, and I think that has been
a factor in why we’ve been so successful in partnering with so many companies across
the region.”

Through the Center for Statistics and Analytical Research (CSAR), the School of Data Science and Analytics has received more than $3 million
in research funding across partnerships with 20 different organizations representing
government, financial technology, manufacturing and healthcare industries. It’s also
home to various labs sponsored by industry leaders such as Equifax, Home Depot and
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee, which have generated three patents and hundreds
of peer-reviewed research publications and proceedings. The School also houses the
Human Studies Lab, funded by the Gerber Foundation and Wellstar, and the Diplomacy
Lab, a university-wide partnership supporting the U.S. State Department. Generally speaking, companies partner with the School for several reasons, including
building a talent pipeline, said Priestley, who recently co-authored a book titled
Closing the Analytics Talent Gap: The Analytics Professional's Guide to Working with
Universities. As was the case with Sands, this often takes the form of an internship but also
happens when industry partners sponsor capstone and research projects.

The second reason companies partner with universities is that it allows companies
to temporarily extend their resources to tackle short-term projects. Sometimes, this
takes place in the Applied Analytics Course, with student teams solving real-world
problems under the guidance of a corporate sponsor. Over the years, sponsors of the
course have included Georgia Pacific, SPANX, Cox Communications, Shaw Industries,
Equifax, and Coke One North America.

The third reason is that companies are seeking research collaboration, which complements
the Ph.D. research environment cultivated within the School. Bill Franks, director
of CSAR, said that while many leading companies have their own research and development
departments, Kennesaw State has the ability to augment their research by connecting
them with faculty experts and students eager to gain experience.

“By working with us, they have access to resources who have relevant expertise and
can dedicate their time to getting the research done and tested, while the sponsor
can focus on their business operations,” he said. “In that sense, we help accelerate
the discovery process.”

The final reason to partner with a university is tied to altruism, Priestley said.
Organizations are looking to positively impact their communities and turn to the data
scientists at KSU for help. Previously, faculty and students have helped chart COVID-19
vaccine distributions, helped a local fire department improve call response time and
even crunched numbers to help develop an optimal travel route for the Bert’s Big Adventure
charity fundraiser with Jersey Mike’s Subs. “Our default position with every organization that reaches out to us is, ‘Yes, we
will work with you…we have a way to help you,’” she said. “We never turn anyone away.
If we don’t have the expertise in our School then we are certain that someone within
the greater university does. This is foundational to being in a community.”

– Travis Highfield

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A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers more than 150 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 41,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia and the second-largest university in the state. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the region and from 126 countries across the globe. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.

This press release was produced by Kennesaw State University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.