WVU ’ s Business Data Analytics Program
By Shelby Hudnall
Data analytics is a team science , and here at West Virginia University ( WVU ), that is exactly what members of the John Chambers College of Business and Economics are instilling in the minds of its students , community members and state through its Business Data Analytics program .
What started as a technical master ’ s program around data science and analytics in the fall of 2016 has now grown into a project-based data science program to help students of all academic backgrounds .
A new minor and a couple certificates later , students outside of the college can now gain business data analytics knowledge .
The program expanded again when the idea to mimic the capstone experience for undergraduate students came about through a new concept called Data Driven WV .
“ In data analytics , you work together to solve problems . We are teaching students to solve business problems with data and technology ,” says Brad Price , assistant professor of business data analytics at the Chambers college . “ Data Driven WV was a product of our students , and it builds upon the experiential learning projects .”
Data Driven WV provides students with real-world data analytics and cybersecurity experience to enhance their education and build a more competitive resume . Now , in its third year of operations , it works to support faculty research , student experiential learning and the prosperity of West Virginia and the surrounding region .
“ The land-grant mission of the university is about how WVU supports the state , the students and the economy of the state ,” says Price . “ Data Driven WV is one of the places within the university that touches all three at the same time because we work with state entities , students and corporate partners to create innovation and talent pipelines .”
Some corporate partners of the program include WesBanco , Leidos , Noblis and Bravo Consulting .
“ Since many of our corporate partners are West Virginia companies , it helps connect our students who have in-demand skills with organizations throughout the state and beyond ,” says Price . “ We have undergraduate students in cybersecurity and business data analytics getting to do what I call mission critical projects — those unique , one-of-a-kind experiences that give them new skill sets . Moving forward it shows that we can and will continue to produce the talent in data science and cybersecurity that companies of all sizes need in order to consider West Virginia a place to call home .”
“ We tell students that if they have any quantitative ability or they want to work in technology , this is something they can do ,” he says . “ We have seen students from marketing , finance , management information systems , math , statistics , computer science and more , but we have also seen students from English and sociology majors go on to be outstanding students in our program .”
The work that the Chambers college and Data Driven WV are doing for business data analytics not only fits the West Virginia mindset , but it also fits the student that chooses West Virginia . •
The West Virginia Regional Technology Park . Photo by John Sibold .
Opportunity Move
By Jordan Ferrell
The West Virginia Regional Technology Park ( WVRTP ) is a multi-tenant park committed to research , innovation , technological advancement and education . The I-79 Technology Park has become the premier location for high-priority federal operations that require advanced electrical and telecommunications infrastructure .
In collaboration with the I-79 Technology Park , WVRTP created Opportunity Move in 2020 . Working directly with the West Virginia Department of Economic Development , this initiative is targeted to bring new federal agencies to West Virginia and retain and grow existing federal agencies in the state .
West Virginia High Technology Foundation ’ s I-79 Technology Park . Photo by Sherry Carr .
Marketing their parks to federal agencies , STEM and high-tech manufacturing industries , the two parks work harmoniously to achieve their goals . The attraction of additional federal assets , like the FBI , the National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration and other federal agencies has brought good-paying jobs with benefits to West Virginia communities . The parks are confident the Opportunity Move initiative will produce additional opportunities to advance and diversify job and workforce development offerings in the Mountain State .
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