Joshua R

• Tell us about your experience in the MVS MSBA program. My experience in the MVS MSBA program has been very positive and honestly feels like a full-circle moment for me. Coming back to CSU Channel Islands and being part of this program has been a great experience. During my undergraduate studies, I had conversations with professors about the growing role of data and how it was becoming “gold” for companies, and now I’m seeing that play out in real time. I’ve learned from experienced professors and industry professionals, and the program has provided a strong network of support.
• What motivated you to pursue a MSBA degree? -What motivated me to pursue an MSBA degree was my desire to expand my knowledge and skill set around data. I previously took a Google Data Analytics course, which sparked a deeper interest in how data . I became fascinated by how data can support better decision-making across industries. For me, the MSBA is also a strategic tool to grow within my current company or transition into a different role where analytics plays a larger role.
• Can you share a memorable project, case study, or other highlight from your time in the program? - Two projects really stand out to me. The first was our internship project with the SBDC, where we helped create a chatbot that reflected the expertise of a successful consultant and businessman, Bill Keating. Being hands-on in building a system that captured real-world expertise was incredibly memorable and opened my eyes to potential career paths in AI engineering, AI product management, or product ownership. The second highlight was my MSBA project, where we had the flexibility to design our own analysis using a dataset of our choice. I combined my interest in basketball with analytics by analyzing 10 years of NBA team data, focusing on performance metrics and team spending to see if patterns existed in making it to the NBA Finals. I conducted logistic regression modeling and took a deeper dive than was required simply out of interest. That project ended up preparing me well for more advanced topics like machine learning and applied AI.
• What surprised you most about the MSBA program once you started?- What surprised me most was the diversity and quality of the talent within the program. There are seasoned data professionals, experienced bankers who’ve worked through multiple eras of finance, individuals with military and government backgrounds, and people from many different industries. The wide range of perspectives created a strong learning community where different viewpoints helped everyone think about data and problem-solving in new ways.
• Anything else that you would like to share? Overall, the MSBA program has reinforced the idea that data analytics is not just about numbers, but about perspective, curiosity, and impact. I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn in an environment that values real-world application and diverse