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Who We Are
the CIA Program

We bring together students, faculty, and industry partners who share a passion for analytics, strategy, and real‑world impact.

Who We Are &
Why We Do This

We are a cohort‑driven community of students, faculty, and industry partners who believe that analytics is more than numbers — it’s a way to understand people, solve problems, and shape smarter business decisions. The CIA program brings together curious, motivated students who learn side‑by‑side through hands‑on projects, competitions, and real client work. Our culture is built on collaboration, mentorship, and a shared commitment to turning data into meaningful insight.

We believe students learn best when they’re challenged, supported, and given opportunities that mirror the real world. That’s why the CIA program emphasizes experiential learning: working with companies, presenting to executives, competing in analytics challenges, and building the technical and strategic skills employers look for. Our goal is simple — to prepare students to enter the workforce as confident, capable analysts who can transform data into impact from day one.

Team photo

Meet Some of Our Members

The students who learn, collaborate, and grow together.

Jordan Carlson
Jordan Carlson
Senior

“The CIA program has been an incredible opportunity for the community and mentorship from Professor Sharkey, exposure to the tools, and internship requirement.”

Cohort 14 Started Fall 2024
Keegan Marek
Keegan Marek
Senior

“I had the opportunity to participate in several data-focused challenges that pushed me outside of my comfort zone and helped me grow both technically and personally.”

Cohort 14 Started Fall 2024
Kyle Schmitz
Kyle Schmitz
Senior

“It is amazing how much this program has done to set us apart from other college graduates. The unique experiences, learning of tools, and the visibility to potential employers is what sets this program apart from others.”

Cohort 14 Started Fall 2024
Alex Rueckert
Alex Rueckert
Junior

“It not only provides you with hands-on experience but you also get to work with other like-minded students.”

Cohort 15 Started Fall 2025
Caroline Girard
Caroline Girard
Junior

“This program will help me learn what it's like to work with real-life data and collaborate with others just like in a career setting.”

Cohort 15 Started Fall 2025
Lynette Pearson
Lynette Pearson
Junior

“I am particularly excited for the hands-on part; getting two years of experience before graduating is a huge asset.”

Cohort 15 Started Fall 2025

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