BSU Receives $15k PricewaterhouseCoopers Grant

Business Majors to Take Part in Data Analytics Pilot Study

MEDIA CONTACT: Cassandra Robinson, crobinson@bowiestate.edu, 301-860-4336

(BOWIE, Md.) – Bowie State University has received a grant from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to launch a pilot study in data analytics. Awarded through the PwC Digital Enablement Awards program, the 15k grant will enable College of Business faculty members to be trained on new tools, techniques, and thinking technologies to use in the classroom to engage students in digital experiences.

Initially, the grant will be used to conduct a pilot study within the newly developed data science and  analytics concentration that is preparing students for expanding job opportunities with the growing need to manage and analyze large amounts of data in business and industry. The goal of the PwC program, which will run through December 2021, is to develop a more robust digital experience for freshmen and sophomore students in data analytics courses to enhance their preparation for success in the field.

Students will use the PwC Digital Fitness App to determine their interest in data analytics and pre-assess their Digital Fitness Score. Faculty will use a Group Concept Map tool to assess students’ use of the app and its impact on their interest in pursuing study in digital analytics.

“One of the standards at Bowie State is to integrate new resources and external resources that can benefit our students,” said Dr. Rand Obeidat, coordinator of the BSU program and assistant professor of data analytics. “The partnership with PwC will give me the opportunity to use a new tool—the Group Concept Map tool—and allow students the opportunity to use a data analytics tool in their data analytics classes. It’s a new way to achieve academic excellence in teaching in this new digital world.”

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About Bowie State University
Bowie State University (BSU) is an important higher education access portal for qualified persons from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds, seeking a high-quality and affordable public comprehensive university. The university places special emphasis on the science, technology, cybersecurity, teacher education, business, and nursing disciplines within the context of a liberal arts education. For more information about BSU, visit bowiestate.edu.