Mays Impacts

Analytics professionals and industry leaders gathered at Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School at Houston CityCentre to present real-world uses of analytics to strengthen organizations’ operations. This year featured a diverse group of organizations such as organ procurement/transplantation, federal government, and oil & gas.

“Organizations accumulate data by the second. In the age of digital transformation, companies need the power of analytics to improve their competitive advantage and operations. They need to consistently utilize data to drive better business decisions.” said Myra Gonzalez, MS Analytics Program Director. This annual event provides a venue for people in the Houston business community, faculty, staff, and students to gather to discuss analytics and share best practices.

The need for data scientists and analysts was further remarked by Jenna Whitmire, Vice President, Data, Tools & Advanced Analytics at AT&T and a Texas A&M Class of 2005 graduate. During her keynote address, she shared that as a leader of 500+ data engineers, analysts, modelers and developers, the need for people with data analytics skills has never been greater than today, and there’s never been more investment in data and AI. In addition to a strong statistics foundation and coding, Whitmire emphasized that expertise in communications and partnering with business leaders is critical to success. “If you are a student in this program, then you will have the opportunity to make scaled impact with your skills. You will influence outcomes for customers and businesses, but it takes ingenuity, courage, and tenacity in addition to great analytics skills.”

Presentations were made by current and former students of the Master of Science in Analytics program. Bilal Zuberi currently serves as the Head of Business Systems for SLB where he is tasked with accelerating digital transformation and enterprise software solutions for the Production Systems division. His presentation was on how to accelerate tendering capacity and improve the “engineer-to-order” quotation process using neural network models. Other industries also saw the need to improve operations through analytics. Master of Science in Analytics Class of 2023 student, Jonathan Hewlett, felt his organization would benefit from process improvements and knew the data they collected was the answer. He built Machine Learning prediction models to study geographically based organ donation. This helped his organization to increase potential transplants and increase the number of lifesaving organs available for transplant.

Our final presentation was conducted by Master of Science in Analytics Class of 2023 student Victor Frausto, who serves as a Program Analyst for the Drug Enforcement Administration. He wants to help the agency with data-driven decisions to assist investigations and operations along the southwest border. His approach analyzes National Seizure System data to identify trends or patterns to disrupt the flow of dangerous drugs.  Better decision-making also helps his organization improve the allocation of resources and workforce.

“We enjoy providing a forum to foster discussion about data and analytics challenges that companies face and share ideas for Houston-area businesses to stay ahead of the game,” said Gonzalez. “We can’t wait for next year’s event!”

Presentation slides and more information can be found at https://mays.tamu.edu/ms-analytics/analytics_day/

The free event was hosted by Texas A&M University’s MS (Master of Science) Analytics Program, which offers a business analytics master’s degree available in Houston and across North America via live video stream to teach working professionals the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly data-driven world. For program information, please contact Javier Aldape, Associate Director: jaldape@mays.tamu.edu or 979-845-2149

The Master of Science in Analytics (MSA) program was created in 2013 and has created an undeniable impact on the students that it enrolled. “Yes, we were about professional development and impact; but seeing how students literally generate millions for companies, create analytics divisions, and open their own businesses, amongst other things, is something I didn’t expect to happen so soon!” said Myra Gonzalez, Director of the MSA program as she kicked off her 10th fall MSA Orientation.

With a competitive admission process, the program carefully selects those candidates that demonstrate the ability to work in teams, have strong academic backgrounds and have a passion for data.

The fall 2022 cohort is diverse:

• 49% female enrollment
• Over 18 industries represented
• 31% of the entire cohort holding advanced degrees already
• Working professionals that average between 10.5 – 13 years of full-time experience

As a nationally-ranked hybrid delivery program measured on inclusion, technology, and quality, the MSA program makes sure students joining remotely are properly engaged. “We go to great lengths to replicate the classroom environment for our distance students,” said Associate Program Director Javier Aldape. With an equal split of face-to-face and distance students, the program makes sure ALL receive quality instruction, dedication, and attention. In ten years of offering live video stream delivery, satisfaction is high. Investments in the audio/video technology of the classroom have ensured this. This track record earned MSA a #1 ranking in online business analytics program according to Fortune.com

And the investment does not just occur in the MSA classrooms. For ten years, the program has invested in nonprofit organizations. Every year, the program reviews admitted students employed in this sector for scholarship consideration. “It’s our way to give back and also propel nonprofits into data-driven strategies,” Aldape noted. Over the years, students from education, government, military, law enforcement, and others have created models that have provided significant contributions to their employers and likely many of us. From combating drug trafficking to improving educational intervention programs, our students are at the forefront of analytics. “It is getting harder every year with the quality of students we are evaluating. Everybody brings something big and impactful,” said Gonzalez. Dao Henry is the 2022 scholarship recipient and is a Senior Management Analyst for the City and County of Denver, Department of Aviation/Denver International Airport. She engages in department-wide program and data analytics, reporting, and special projects. She aspires to lead an initial assessment of issues or problem areas by researching best practices, trends, and historical and current data, along with related laws, policies, procedures, and methods, to develop a methodology for the selection of relevant data. Then she hopes to assemble data into a meaningful format for data-driven decisions. She believes that data can be applied to good and wishes to advance her city to the forefront of data-driven city management.

Dao Henry, 2022 scholarship recipient

The uniqueness of MSA begins with the coordination of curriculum and faculty members. “From standard, easy-to-navigate learning management course templates to collaboration using real datasets, our faculty understand the importance of a cohesive curriculum,” said Myra Gonzalez. Prior to starting semesters, program staff and faculty meet to discuss expectations and objectives. The goal is to share the feedback and to build strategies for how classes can collaborate through projects and topics. This elevates the class discussion and the applicability of the material to the real world. Serena Antone, a member of the class of 2024, stated that this was a component that drew her into the program. “I attended a class, I saw how the professors taught and the discussions it generated, and the examples covered. It was an overall unique experience because it was easily relatable. This is what graduate school should focus on, rather than reading textbooks and learning theory.” Indeed, faculty bring with them relevant real-world experience and problems that students must solve as part of the class. “They formulate a problem, they prep the data, they delegate amongst themselves, they build a model, they validate, they present. It is something that is learned through doing rather than books,” said Aldape. Serena Antone is one of fifty-three students that make the class of 2024 cohort. She said as orientation was starting, “I’m looking forward to the journey with the rest of my classmates. I can’t wait to get started.”

“As a program administrator, nothing brings me more joy than to see a student go from no experience with statistics, data, programming to a Data Scientist leading divisions, running their own business, and even using data for social impacts. They go from asking what is a P value to solving problems using data,” said Gonzalez. The program calls on people who want to level up their careers. “This is our 10th year. We are excited about this upcoming recruiting cycle,” said Jerry Strawser, Associate Dean for Graduate Programs. Interested applicants are encouraged to research program admission criteria on their website. “We have sixty-five seats each semester. Applying early is key,” recommended Strawser.

The Master of Science in Analytics is offered in a hybrid format that offers both in-person and live video stream class delivery. Face-to-face classes are offered at the Mays Business School at Houston CityCentre.

To request information, please contact Javier Aldape, Associate Program Director, at 797-845-2149 or email at: analytics@tamu.edu

According to Fortune magazine, Mays Business School at Texas A&M University has the top online business analytics program in the country. Factors highlighting the success of the MS Analytics program include selectivity, demand, and brand, per Fortune’s methodology.

One component to the ranking outcome emphasizes the MS Analytics program enrolling its most recent class with an average of over 12 years of full-time work experience and an average incoming undergraduate GPA of 3.42. With a mix of computer science, business acumen, business math, and statistics, this online/face-to-face, flexible format degree allows students to select from many diverse paths in data science while incorporating business and leadership skills.

“We are so pleased to see our program recognized at the national level,” said Jerry Strawser, associate dean for graduate programs. “This ranking reflects the outstanding efforts of our program leadership – Myra Gonzales and Javier Aldape – as well as the faculty and staff who create a valuable learning experience for our students.”

MS Analytics program director Myra Gonzalez shared, “As a young, quickly-growing industry, we are committed to the mission of Mays Business School: to be a vibrant learning organization that creates impactful knowledge and develops transformational leaders. We designed our program to be an inclusive learning environment, while also focusing on an excellent customer experience (CX) through our cohort model. Those efforts, in addition to our quality faculty and curriculum, have enabled a strong graduation rate launching excellent data leaders into the marketplace.”

With over 300+ data science/analytics programs in the nation, students have many options. Texas A&M’s MS Analytics offers a formal education led by prestigious faculty with terminal degrees or strong ties to industry. Each year, the program enrolls 65 students from all backgrounds. Faculty and students create synergy in the program. “Our faculty members’ capability, paired with our students’ persistence and thirst for excellence, enable the quality and the success of the MS Analytics program,” added Gonzalez.

“In today’s challenging and rapidly changing global markets, firms gain significant benefits by using sophisticated tools and techniques to analyze, interpret, and use data in competitively relevant ways,” shared interim dean, R. Duane Ireland. “Our MS Analytics program presents learners with opportunities to develop skills through which they can help their firms succeed by working with data effectively. We are thrilled for our MS Analytics program to receive Fortune’s number 1 ranking! Congratulations to our outstanding students and to our faculty and staff who collaborate with them.”

Texas A&M’s MS Analytics program is currently accepting applications for the fall 2022 cohort. Visit the MS Analytics site for an overview. To request more information, contact Javier Aldape, Program Manager at 979-845-2149 or jaldape@mays.tamu.edu.