Pamplin students leverage data analytics to improve the undergraduate experience
Four undergraduate alumni now studying in the Master of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in business analytics program dedicated their capstone project to improving the undergraduate experience for future Hokies.
When leaders of the Pamplin College of Business wanted to explore what students truly valued about their educational experience, they didn’t need to look far for assistance. They turned directly to the data-savvy graduate students in their classrooms.
A team from the Master of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in business analytics program recently completed a capstone project sponsored by Pamplin designed to provide insight into how the college can better serve students. Their research is helping shape Pamplin’s future curriculum, student engagement opportunities, and overall student experience.
"This project was special," said Sydney Fromm '24, a member of the capstone team. "We're all students in Pamplin, and this was our chance to directly improve the college experience for the next generation of Hokies. It felt personal."
The capstone team developed and distributed a survey that garnered more than 300 responses from current Pamplin students and recent alumni. The findings revealed strong interest in coursework on artificial intelligence, machine learning, coding, and personal finance. Survey respondents also affirmed Pamplin's existing strengths with 86 percent reporting that they feel career-ready as a result of their education.
Using the survey results, the team developed interactive dashboards and visualizations to enable Pamplin leadership to easily track key performance indicators (KPIs), such as internship participation, study-abroad experiences, and student satisfaction with course content. Team members also identified practical targets for improvement in areas including financial aid and co-curricular engagement.
“What these students accomplished is powerful, and already driving change," said Pamplin Associate Dean Reza Barkhi. “With these survey results and data visualizations, this team has provided a clear path forward that directly aligns with our strategic vision and commitment to our stakeholders and students.”
Pamplin plans to expand curricular offerings, strengthen alumni engagement, and mandate the student survey in future years to continue measuring student satisfaction and progress toward KPIs.
"Our motto at Virginia Tech is Ut Prosim (That I May Serve)," said Sally Steppling '24, another capstone team member. "This project embodied that spirit. It was our way to serve the students who come after us, ensuring they have the tools, knowledge, and opportunities to thrive."
