The Institute is delighted to announce the sponsors of the Master of Science in Analytics (MSA) Class of 2016 practicum team projects. This year 23 student teams will be tasked with projects from 20 sponsoring organizations spanning many industry sectors as well as government agencies and non-profit organizations. Notable projects this year include the Institute’s first team project with a consortium of seven major art museums from across the U.S. and Canada led by the North Carolina Museum of Art. The Institute’s students also for the first time will venture into the highly competitive world of motorsports with a project sponsored by the legendary Richard Childress racing team.
“Once again the Institute is honored to have its students working on challenging projects with such a wide-ranging group of sponsors,” said the Institute’s director Dr. Michael Rappa. “I am grateful to all of the sponsoring organizations for giving our students an amazing opportunity to deepen their understanding of analytics, apply their skills, and explore their passion for wrangling insights from data.”
The Institute received nearly 60 practicum proposals for consideration for the Class of 2016. The 23 projects were selected by a panel of faculty and staff members who weighed the scope, challenge and learning value of each proposal. Seven of the twenty organizations previously had sponsored a project. There is no fee for sponsors to participate.
Since 2007 the Institute’s students have been engaged in 110 team projects with over 85 sponsors. Interested organizations should feel welcome to contact the Institute to learn more about practicum sponsorship.
MSA Class of 2016 Practicum Sponsors
AAA Carolinas (Charlotte, NC) – AAA Carolinas is a civic, not-for-profit corporation providing specialized services to members—such as emergency road service, travel and touring service, and other direct benefits—and working for the improvement of motoring and travel conditions generally, particularly in the field of legislation, highways and taxation, and street and highway safety.
Cargill (Minneapolis, MN) – Cargill provides food, agriculture, financial and industrial products and services to the world. Together with farmers, customers, governments and communities, it helps people thrive by applying its insights and 150 years of experience. The company has 153,000 employees in 67 countries who are committed to feeding the world in a responsible way, reducing environmental impact and improving the communities where they live and work.
Central Intelligence Agency (McLean, VA) – The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is an independent government agency responsible for providing national security intelligence to senior U.S. policymakers.
Crete Carrier (Lincoln, NE) – Founded in 1966, Crete Carrier Corporation, along with operating division Shaffer Trucking and wholly-owned subsidiary Hunt Transportation, Inc., ranks as one of the largest privately owned trucking companies in the U.S., offering a full range of transportation services to its customers.
Deloitte (Hartford, CT) – Deloitte has more than 210,000 professionals at member firms delivering services in audit, consulting, financial advisory, risk management, tax, and related services in more than 150 countries and territories. Revenues for fiscal year 2014 were US$34.2 billion.
Disney (Orlando, FL) – The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise with five business segments: media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment, consumer products and interactive media. Revenues in FY2014 topped US$48 billion.
Federal Communications Commission (Washington, DC) – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories. An independent U.S. government agency overseen by Congress, the commission is the United States’ primary authority for communications law, regulation and technological innovation.
Hamilton Beach Brands (Glen Allen, VA) – Hamilton Beach Brands is a leading designer, marketer and distributor of small electric household and specialty housewares appliances, as well as commercial products for restaurants, bars and hotels. As one of the industry’s leaders, Hamilton Beach has US$560 million in sales and sells over 35 million appliances every year. Founded in 1910, the company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NACCO Industries.
Jacksonville Jaguars (Jacksonville, FL) – The Jacksonville Jaguars are an American professional football franchise based in Jacksonville, Florida. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference (AFC) of the National Football League (NFL). Their home stadium is EverBank Field.
Liberty Mutual Insurance (Boston, MA) – In business since 1912, and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, today Liberty Mutual is a diversified insurer with operations in 30 countries around the world. The company is the third largest property and casualty insurer in the U.S. and is ranked 76th on the Fortune 100 list of largest corporations in the U.S. based on 2013 revenue. Liberty employs more than 50,000 people in approximately 900 offices throughout the world, and offers a wide range of insurance products and services.
M&T Bank (Buffalo, NY) – Established in 1856 as Manufacturers and Traders Bank, and today known as the M&T Bank Corporation, it is one of the 20 largest U.S. headquartered commercial bank holding companies, with current assets of $78 billion and nearly 13,000 employees.
North Carolina Museum of Art (Raleigh, NC) – The North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA, which opened to the public in 1956, houses the first major museum collection in the country to be formed by State legislation and funding. Since the initial 1947 appropriation that established its collection, the Museum has continued to be a model of the benefit of enlightened public policy. Today, it encompasses a collection that spans more than 5,000 years of history, a variety of celebrated exhibitions and public programs, an amphitheater for outdoor performances, and the nation’s largest museum park—164 acres of public trails and parkland containing major works of art. One of the leading art museums in the American South, the NCMA in 2010 completed a major, three-year expansion that places it in the front ranks of museums nationwide. The NCMA is the lead project sponsor for a consortium of seven participating museums that includes: The Minneapolis Institute of Art; The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (Kansas City, MO); The Art Gallery of Ontario (Canada); The Cleveland Museum of Art; The Philadelphia Museum of Art; and The High Museum of Art (Atlanta, GA).
Northrop Grumman Health IT (McLean, VA) – Northrop Grumman is a leading provider of health IT solutions and services, supporting the continuum of health and human services for federal civilian, military, state, local and international customers. Through the integration of health expertise and information technology, the company supports national health goals to enhance benefits systems solutions, increase the quality and efficiency of healthcare and improve the health of the population.
Richard Childress Racing (Welcome, NC) – Richard Childress bought his first race car for $20 and working out of his home garage has gone on to build what is widely considered one of the most legendary organizations in motorsports history. Over its 45-year history Richard Childress Racing (RCR) has become synonymous with success and championships. RCR has earned 15 total championships and was the first organization to win titles in NASCAR’s three national series.
Safeco Insurance (Seattle, WA) – In business since 1923 and based in Boston, Mass., Safeco Insurance sells personal automobile, homeowners and specialty products through a network of more than 10,000 independent insurance agencies throughout the United States. Safeco is a Liberty Mutual Insurance company.
Sealed Air (Duncan, SC) – Sealed Air Corporation creates a world that feels, tastes and works better. In 2014, the Company generated revenue of approximately $7.8 billion by helping our customers achieve their sustainability goals in the face of today’s biggest social and environmental challenges. Our portfolio of widely recognized brands, including Cryovac® brand food packaging solutions, Bubble Wrap® brand cushioning and Diversey® cleaning and hygiene solutions, enables a safer and less wasteful food supply chain, protects valuable goods shipped around the world, and improves health through clean environments. Sealed Air has approximately 24,000 employees who serve customers in 175 countries.
UNC Health Care (Chapel Hill, NC) – UNC Health Care is a not-for-profit integrated health care system owned by the state of North Carolina and based in Chapel Hill. UNC Health Care currently comprises UNC Hospitals and its provider network, the clinical programs of the UNC School of Medicine, and seven affiliate hospitals and hospital systems across the state.
Verisk Health (South Jordan, UT) – Verisk Health is transforming the business of healthcare by providing data services, analytics, and advanced technologies that answer the industry’s most complex challenges. With a focus on reducing risk across all domains of healthcare, Verisk Health’s broad solution suite is designed to help health plans, employers, providers, and other risk-bearing entities improve the quality of healthcare delivery, reduce costs, ensure appropriate revenue, pay claims accurately, and support compliance. Verisk Health is a subsidiary of Verisk Analytics.
VF Corporation (Greensboro, NC) – VF Corporation is a global leader in the design, manufacture, marketing and distribution of branded lifestyle apparel, footwear and accessories. The company’s highly diversified portfolio of 30 powerful brands spans numerous geographies, product categories, consumer demographics and sales channels, giving VF a unique industry position and the ability to create sustainable, long-term growth for our customers and shareholders. The company’s largest brands are The North Face®, Vans®, Timberland®, Wrangler®, Lee® and Nautica®.
Walgreens (Deerfield, IL) – Walgreens, the nation’s largest drugstore chain, is included in the Retail Pharmacy USA Division of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., the first global pharmacy-led, health and wellbeing enterprise. More than 8 million customers interact with Walgreens each day in communities across America, using the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice. Walgreens operates 8,240 drugstores with a presence in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Walgreens also manages more than 400 Healthcare Clinic and provider practice locations around the country.