#UARK: The Differentiation at University of Arkansas.....
Shannon Bedore
CEO, Sightline Retail | Blue Elephant Food Group, USA | Entrepreneurial Leader | Expertise in Retail, Supply Chain, & Merchandising | Proven Track Record at Walmart, Kohl's, & Founding Multimillion-Dollar Ventures
....And why other Universities should pay attention too:
Today I had the pleasure of wrapping up my week of guest lecturing on campus.?I spoke to students in the Data Sciences program, which is an inter-disciplinary program that combines the Walton College of Business #WaltonCollege, School of Engineering #UARKEngineering, and Fulbright College of Arts & Sciences.?
For those of you who only know a little about university systems, the very fact that I can say I participated in a joint effort on behalf of Business, Engineering, & Arts and Sciences, is a feat unto itself and why I think the University of Arkansas is head and shoulders above other data science degree programs.
Thanks to the hard work of each college Dean, and due to the tenacity of Dr. Karl Schubert (Professor of Practice And Associate Director for the Data Sciences Program), students for the first time see a combined approach to data that is practical, insightful, relevant, AND specific to their major and field of interest.?While it is still possible for students to obtain a traditional computer science/information systems degree—what is so different about Data Sciences is that for the very first time the teachings of Data & Analytics are inclusive and embedded into each field of study.?Unlike the traditional model which likens data management to a more siloed field of study regardless of industry application.
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We all know that Data is everywhere.?Kindergarten teachers, supply chain analysts, small business owners, credit card users, restaurant servers, etc., have access to endless amounts of data. The new challenge is to figure out WHAT to do with all this data. ?In one of the very first programs of its kind in the state and nation, students at University of Arkansas may now obtain a degree in any field of their choice and learn how to incorporate data in the day-to-day nuances of that field.
I realize I might be biased.?I have had the privilege to sit on the Data Sciences board from day 1 and have seen it grow beyond what anyone thought possible in the first five years.?I saw it move from an idea, to receiving state approval to proceed, and now there are hundreds of students in the program.?There is a new facility on campus, which just opened but is already to small—which in the world of problems is a great one to have.
I leave today with students who presented data analytics well beyond my abilities, and I’d hire all of them if my company allowed me to.?They surpassed expectations, and for a class of mostly freshman and sophomores, leave me feeling optimistic that the future for these Arkansas students is much more than just bright.
Senior Director of Development, Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, University of Arkansas
2 年Love to see this!
Senior Vice President, Wealth Management Advisor, Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor
2 年This is awesome Shannon Bedore and it is so great to see someone as busy as you are give your time and experitise to students for a week. I wish I had the same experience when I went to college.
William Dillard II Endowed Leadership Chair | Professor of Supply Chain Management | Board Membership | Private Equity
2 年Thank you, Shannon! I am writing to express my deep appreciation and gratitude for your hard work and tenacity in making the Data Sciences program a reality at University of Arkansas. You have been providing input from the beginning. Karl: Your commitment to creating a program that combines the best of Business, Engineering, and Arts and Sciences is truly remarkable. Your efforts have enabled students to gain a degree that lets them incorporate data into the day-to-day nuances of their chosen field. The success of the program is inspiring and I am so proud of the students who have already exceeded expectations with the projects they have presented. It is clear that the future is incredibly bright for these Arkansas students. Thank you again for all that you have done to make the Data Sciences program a success.
Project Controls Analyst at Keeley Construction
2 年Could you not have come and talked when I went to engineering school there?! What the heck!
Professor of Practice, Managing Director for the Data Science Program, University of Arkansas
2 年Thank you, Shannon, for your guest lecture and assignment and review of solutions with our DASC 1222 Role of Data Science in Today's World! University of Arkansas Data Science