Georgia Southern University INFORMS Student Chapter

The Georgia Southern University INFORMS Student Chapter is an undergraduate student-led organization within the Department of Information Systems and Analytics in the Parker College of Business. For the 2024-2025 academic year, the chapter is advised by Dr. Kwabena Boakye and Dr. Xinfang Wang. The student executive team includes Cassie Ratner (President), Grant Pysczynski (Vice President), Christa Moore (Secretary), and Millstone (Treasurer). Our theme, “Connect, Grow, and Give Back,” reflects our commitment to building professional connections, fostering career and personal growth, and contributing to both the profession and the community.

Can you tell us a little bit more about the history of the Georgia Southern University INFORMS Student Chapter?

The Georgia Southern University INFORMS Student Chapter was established in 2020. The chapter was established following the introduction of a new Business Analytics major within the Parker College of Business BBA in Information Systems program. The chapter, which comprises undergraduate students, is housed in the Department of Information Systems and Analytics. Professors Janet Moss (now retired) and Steven Moss were instrumental in the establishment of the chapter. Since its inception, the chapter has consistently promoted events and activities that facilitate the development of professional connections among our students in the field of analytics and information systems. In addition, the chapter, aspart of its core responsibilities, promotes the act of community service through event participation at the community level, while fostering the academic and personal development of students. The chapter has seen a rapid growth in student membership on campus. We, as a chapter, have received multiple awards from INFORMS, including Magna Cum Laude INFORMS Student Chapter Annual Award in 2024 and a Cum Laude Award in 2023.

What are the goals of this Chapter and what motivates the members most?

The Georgia Southern University INFORMS Student Chapter acknowledges the significance of student education to society. The Chapter aims to establish a venue for students to collaborate, exchange ideas, foster connections, and enhance their confidence in devising creative solutions to analytical challenges via case competitions. As a result, the chapter aims to assist students in exploring many career trajectories by facilitating connections with industry professionals via our Speaker Series.

The numerous opportunities that our chapter offers serve as an incentive for our students. These include networking and employment opportunities, as well as participating in case competitions with an analytical focus. Additionally, our technology seminars serve as an incentive for our students to acquire programming language proficiency while equipping our students for career readiness in the analytics domain. Ultimately, our involvement in campus and community humanitarian initiatives fosters a sense of belonging and positively influences lives, serving as a compelling incentive for students to join our chapter.

What are the expectations of the members for the future of this Chapter?

Members expect the Georgia Southern University Student Chapter to help prepare them for the job market. Our members expect the chapter to provide essential analytical skills and resources, as well as networking opportunities through invited speaker presentations. Students also expect the chapter to offer professional development workshops, resume-writing sessions, guidance on effective social media use in job applications, and chances to explore internship opportunities, navigate career paths, and develop leadership skills.

What are the key activities that the Chapter conducts throughout the year?

Since the Chapter was established in 2020, we have hosted a series of monthly meetings focused on building professional connections and fostering academic and personal growth. During the 2024-25 academic year, these events featured five distinguished alumni from the Parker College of Business, Georgia Southern University, representing graduating classes from 2004 to 2024, as well as a career development expert and a data ethics specialist.

2024-25 Speaker Series Highlights

• Topic: The Road Ahead: Moving from Student Life to a Career in SAP and Analytics
  Speaker: Naomi Strass (Class of 2024), SAP Associate at NTT Data Business Solutions

• Topic: How Does My Analytics and Information Systems Degree Fit in at the Walt Disney Company and LexisNexis?
  Speakers:
  Hope Tadsen (Class of 2015), Lead Data Product Manager at The Walt Disney Company
  Michael Brodine (Class of 2015), Vertical Market Manager / Product Manager at LexisNexis Risk Solutions

• Topic: Professional Resume Writing, Networking, and Effective Use of LinkedIn
  Speaker: Rachael Barrett, Career & Internship Advisor, Office of Career and Professional Development, GSU

• Topic: Data Analytics and Data Ethics
  Speaker:   Vrushali Sawant, Data Scientist (Data Ethics Practice), SAS

• Topic:     Early Steps, Big Impact:           Exploring Internship Opportunities and Career Paths
  Speakers:
  Brittney Kindell (Class of 2024), Data Analyst I at Progressive Insurance
  Leslie Seufert (Class of 2004), Senior Solution Advisor at SAP America

In addition to our speaker series, the INFORMS Georgia Southern University Student Chapter recognizes the importance and value of serving our local community. As part of our annual hallmark community service event, we proudly donated 600 cans of food to the Statesboro Food Bank in December 2024.

How do you recruit new members and the leadership board? What key personality traits do you look for in students during the recruitment process?

The chapter was founded in 2020 by Professors Janet Moss and Steven Moss, starting with zero members. We have grown our membership through monthly meetings focused on building professional connections and fostering both academic and personal growth. We view the Chapter as a platform to share our passion for Business Analytics, ignite student interest in the field, and ultimately support the growth of our academic programs. Student engagement continues to rise, as reflected in the increase in active membership from 39 in 2023-24 to 84 in 2024-25. When selecting members for the leadership board, we seek students who demonstrate a strong commitment to service and a desire to learn.

Figure 2: Our chapter hosts a monthly speaker series. At our November 2024 meeting, proud Parker College alumni Hope Tadsen and Michael Brodine traveled all the way from Los Angeles to share their inspiring professional journeys from the Parker College of Business at Georgia Southern University to Walt Disney and LexisNexis, respectively.

What changes are you planning to make in the Chapter in the near future? What are you most excited about regarding the future of this Chapter?

The chapter was founded in 2020 by Professors Janet Moss and Steven Moss, starting with zero members. We have grown our membership through monthly meetings focused on building professional connections and fostering both academic and personal growth. We view the Chapter as a platform to share our passion for Business Analytics, ignite student interest in the field, and ultimately support the growth of our academic programs. Student engagement continues to rise, as reflected in the increase in active membership from 39 in 2023-24 to 84 in 2024-25. When selecting members for the leadership board, we seek students who demonstrate a strong commitment to service, a desire to learn, are interested in INFORMS, and will attract more students to our vibrant community.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us that has not been covered by the previous questions?

Our campus is located in rural southeast Georgia, where Business Analytics has not traditionally been a central focus of academic programs. We are grateful that the Chapter has provided a valuable platform for us to promote the field, engage students, and support the growth of our majors. We are humbled by the Chapter’s continued growth and remain fully committed to supporting and sustaining its success - impactful - on campus and beyond.

Figure 3: The INFORMS Georgia Southern University Student Chapter emphasizes community engagement alongside professional development. The chapter proudly donated 600 cans of food to the Statesboro Food Bank in December 2024, with student representatives Cassidy Ratner, Alexander Millstone-Powell, and Christian Davis assisting with the delivery.

Acknowledgements: We would like to thank Hasini Balasuriya for taking time to review this article. Photo credit goes to Earl Richardson for the header photo