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I chose Eastern because I wanted a college experience with smaller class sizes where I could build connections with my professors while exploring my interests in business and technology. Being out of state while still being close to home in Rhode Island was also important to me. Eastern's Business Information Systems program stood out because it aligned with my interest in understanding how businesses use technology and information to solve problems. As I continued my education, I discovered how well BIS would be complemented by Data Science, which led me to pursue both majors and dual degrees. Eastern has given me the opportunity to explore these interests while getting involved in experiences that have helped me grow academically, professionally, and personally.
Two people who have been especially important to my experience at Eastern are Alex Citurs and Lexie Mastroianni. Dr. Citurs has been my faculty advisor and mentor in Business Information Systems, as well as the advisor for BIS-ITSA. Having BIS and BIS-ITSA Club connections have helped me engage more deeply with my major, professional BIS alumni, and explore opportunities related to business and technology. Through Dr. Citurs’ support, mentorship, and multiple opportunities he has given me, I have been able to explore multiple areas with BizTech in hands-on competitions. He has been nothing but supportive in all of my academic endeavors.
Lexie Mastroianni, coordinator for the Center for Community Engagement, has been one of the most meaningful mentors throughout my college career. She has consistently supported me and encouraged me to find ways to bring my professional interests and personal passions together, rather than feeling like I have to choose between the two. Through her example, I have learned what it means to lead with purpose and make a meaningful impact while continuing to grow professionally. She has been a role model, a constant source of encouragement, and someone I know I can always turn to for guidance or an honest conversation. I am incredibly grateful for the support she has given me throughout my time at Eastern and for the way she has helped me become more confident in the person and professional I hope to be.
Describe what your career goals/path are and how Eastern is helping your pursue that dream.My career goal is to work in the intersection between technology and business, solving organizational problems, and improving business processes. I enjoy looking at how an organization operates, identifying opportunities for improvement, and using data and technology to develop practical solutions. My degrees in Business Information Systems and Data Science, along with my minors in Business Analytics and Accounting, provide me with a combination of technical, analytical, and business knowledge that I can apply to these challenges with AI changing the business and tech world.
Eastern has given me opportunities to develop these skills both inside and outside the classroom. Through my coursework, I have gained experience working with data, databases, analytics, and business technology. Academic competitions have allowed me to apply those skills to real-world scenarios, like the Travelers Business Intelligence and Analytics Case Competition and the Midwest Collegiate Computing Competition. My internship with Amica Insurance has further connected my education to my career interests through hands-on work involving financial systems, business intelligence, and process improvement. These experiences have helped me better understand the type of work I want to pursue and given me confidence in the value I can bring to an organization.
My liberal arts education has taught me that solving problems requires more than technical knowledge. It also takes communication, critical thinking, adaptability, and the ability to understand different perspectives. Through my coursework, competitions, research, BIS club alumni/employer events, and internship, I have learned how important it is to consider both the data and the people affected by the decisions being made.
One of the things I value about my education at Eastern is the opportunity to develop skills beyond my specific majors. My experiences presenting, collaborating with peers, and participating in leadership opportunities have strengthened my ability to communicate ideas and approach challenges from different perspectives. I believe this combination of technical knowledge and broader professional skills will help me become a well-rounded analyst who can not only identify problems but also communicate solutions and make a meaningful contribution to an organization.
My CREATE research project focused on developing an Eastern Gym Dashboard, a centralized digital platform that would help students access information about gym hours, facility availability, occupancy, and scheduling. Our team explored a problem that many students can relate to: arriving at the gym without knowing how crowded it is, whether equipment or courts are available, or whether an event affects access to the facilities.
To better understand the problem, we developed an anonymous student survey focused on gym usage, experiences with crowding, and access to information. This project challenged me to think beyond simply proposing a solution. We had to consider what data would strengthen our case, how to communicate our findings, and what challenges could arise during implementation, including the limitations of real-time occupancy data and the possibility of making less-crowded times more popular.
The experience strengthened my ability to approach a problem systematically, use data to inform decisions, and consider potential risks before recommending a solution. It also demonstrated how Business Information Systems can address an everyday problem by combining data analysis, technology, and an understanding of user needs to develop better solutions.
Some of my most valuable learning experiences at Eastern have taken place outside the classroom. Within multiple competitions, I have been able to showcase my capabilities in time pressured case competition environments. At the Midwest Collegiate Computing Conference, I placed first alongside my teammate Edon Selimaj in the Microsoft Office Analytics competition against large universities like Texas State, Michigan State, and the University of Iowa. Three of my fellow Eastern peers and I also placed first in the Travelers Business Intelligence and Analytics Case Competition against five other teams that were predominately all graduate students at UCONN, Central Connecticut State, the University of Hartford, and Quinnipiac University. I have participated in academic competitions, including MWC3, USITCC, and the Travelers Business Intelligence and Analytics Case Competition. My internship with Amica Insurance has allowed me to apply my coursework to financial systems, business intelligence, and process improvement in a professional corporate environment. These experiences have challenged me to work collaboratively, analyze information, solve problems under pressure, and communicate data-driven recommendations.
Beyond my BIS major, my involvement with the Center for Community Engagement has been an important part of my experience at Eastern. Through student leadership and community partnerships, I have learned how to build relationships and create meaningful opportunities for students and community members. I have also attended the IMPACT Leadership Conference and returned as a presenter, sharing ideas about building mutually beneficial community partnerships. I had the opportunity to attend Campus Compact, which focuses on advancing civic missions by partnering with communities to address complex social issues. Through BIS-ITSA club, I have continued to connect with other students and alumni who share my interests in business-driven data as well as .
Together, these experiences have helped me grow beyond the classroom by giving me opportunities to apply what I learn, develop my confidence, and explore how I want to contribute professionally and personally. They have shown me that some of the most valuable learning happens when you take the knowledge gained in class and put it into real-world practice.