MS in analytics students at American University's Kogod School of Business have unique access to datasets from Special Olympics International
Tanisha Thompson (pictured below, right) had been working in the nonprofit sector for over ten years when she realized the world around her was changing.She works in marketing and says she noticed that relying on data to make decisions was and is becoming more and more integral to the way she does her job.
Tanisha toyed with the idea of doing an MBA when she came across the online MS in analytics program at . It was more relevant, she explains, to her experience.
“I looked at a variety of online analytics programs and I was really impressed with the platform that Kogod was using,” she says. “The program really applied to what I was doing, and I thought it would help me move to the next level in my career.”
Tanisha started the online analytics program in 2016. This year she was in the first round of students to work on an innovative new project with the globally-recognized nonprofit group, Special Olympics International (SOI).
Special Olympics International (SOI) is an organization committed to providing sports training and athletic competition to children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The organization also holds sporting competitions globally, including an alternative Olympics World Games event every two years, for athletes with intellectual disabilities.
For the first time in SOI’s history, students in the MS in analytics program are being given access to datasets from the organization, using their capstone project to analyze SOI's datasets and provide predictive analytical models for the organization.
"I believe that you can use data not just for profit but for social change."
For Tanisha, the partnership has helped her and her colleagues in the program see the benefits of data analytics skills first-hand.
“Since I work in the nonprofit space, I really wanted to see how data would work in a real-life environment,” she notes. “I believe that you can use data not just for profit but for social change, and I thought it was very unique that Kogod would give us the opportunity to do that.”
Tanisha, who works for the Salvation Army, believes that increased connection between business students and the nonprofit world can be hugely beneficial for both parties.
“Usually, when you’re in a business program and you’re searching for what path your career is going to take, a lot of people don’t consider nonprofits,” she says. “Giving students exposure while in school to nonprofit data would open their eyes to different opportunities.”
Tanisha adds that managing her role with The Salvation Army alongside her degree has been challenging. But, she is now able to apply a lot of what she is learning on a daily basis.
“My analyzing of data—and how I see the data that I use daily—is different now, and that’s because of the program at Kogod School of Business,” she explains.
Derrick Cogburn, executive director of the America University’s Institute on Disability and Public Policy (IDPP), adds that the Healthy Athletes System—the database used by SOI—has become the largest dataset in the world on the health of persons with intellectual disabilities.
The partnership between and Special Olympics International also extends beyond the business school, into a “broader and deeper collaboration with SOI across campus,” Derrick says.
“This partnership gives our students an immersive, real-world experience, providing problem-solving recommendations and advice to Special Olympics International based on their team-based analysis of this data.”
Student Reviews
Kogod School of Business - American University
Clean and well maintained campus
I am completely enamored with this school. The entire student body is driven, inclusive, and highly intelligent. The decision to attend American University is not made haphazardly. Its close proximity to Washington DC, making it one of the most strategically located schools after Georgetown, means it's just a short train ride away. The campus is well-maintained, with mostly attractive buildings, although there are a few that are less appealing. Additionally, there are numerous excellent food options available. The wide range of clubs and organizations to join is remarkable. It is undeniably a school filled with immense passion.
City life
I’m having a wonderful time at American University. I love that I can get to a big city and still feel like a traditional campus. Sincerely, it is a school that may require some adjusting to, but in the end, it is a very good school with numerous opportunities for its students. The atmosphere in AU is so great that it pushes you in a positive way and offers every opportunity you could want.
Amazing helpful professors
American College is an incredible school with astounding teachers. Best professors I could have asked for at an amazing school. My opinion is that American University's professors are its greatest asset. They are extremely intelligent and always eager to assist their students. They go above and beyond in their classes to make sure that their students do their best.
AU Review
The workload is quite high and AU is definitely not an "easy" school. Students take their studies very seriously and can almost always find a group in the library, DAV, Starbucks or MGC. Courses can be quite ambitious if the right courses are offered and the admissions process can be confusing at times, but with the help of an advisor it is quite easy to navigate. The library can be crowded, and while it's not huge, there are plenty of other places to study on campus. The professors really want to help during office hours and interact with students. I've had good experiences with the professors and workload at AU, but it's an expensive city.
Majoring in Political and International Relations
The instructors are unique and the classes can be boring at times. Check-in is stressful (but it is everywhere). The workload is what I expected. The most popular majors are international relations and political science
I Love Being A Musical Theater Major
I love being a musical theater student, if you want to help behind the scenes, if you want to be an assistant director, if you want to be a director, if you want to write, you can do anything at this academy, very supportive, it's amazing, they are always there to help you. This is their working time. Even after the audition tells you what you did wrong, you can do better, or if you get picked, you know why they picked you, which is great
AU's Business Model
Overall, there were a lot of good opportunities at UA, both in terms of course range and faculty. However, I had a few complete misfires. People who shouldn't have taught at all. Like all universities, AU's business model is to hire hands-on assistants so they don't have to pay them extra or perform well. They are signed and if that does not work, they are not hired any more. The problem with this is that you end up with people who are unqualified and bring their own agendas, biases that may or may not be based on research. Most of the professors were absolutely fantastic.
AU - The Real Problem With Academics
Some teachers are amazing, some awful - typical of any school. But the real problem with AU is that many students don't care about academics as much as other things (eg, partying). The academics are really interrupted by the Greek life and the social life of the students. This makes it difficult for students interested in academics to get the most out of their school experience. Some students do not take classes seriously and do not respect teachers and other students. Courses and opportunities at UA are perfect for people who want to take advantage
American University - The Best Place to Study
They know their stuff - I chose American University because the campus is beautiful and the biology program is relatively small. But after the first semester, I realized that all the professors, especially the people in the science department, are experts in their field. They are enthusiastic and helpful in lecturing; even the TAs who teach the labs are amazing and engaging.
