Case Study: University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Commerce achieves hands-on, employer-ready analytics training with SAS

Hands-on analytics training prepares students for real world

The University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College created the Marillyn A. Hewson Data Analytics Lab to bridge the gap between classroom theory and messy, collaborative real‑world analytics. MBA students on the analytical track must solve industry‑sourced problems and present findings in a highly interactive environment, preparing them to work with complex data and communicate insights to employers.

In partnership with SAS, the lab uses SAS Visual Analytics, SAS Enterprise Miner and Base SAS, plus curriculum materials, sample data sets and rapid support, to give students hands‑on experience. The immersive lab—featuring large interactive video walls and industry projects—has produced graduates who can build predictive models “day one,” impressing employers and strengthening the analytics talent pipeline.

University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Commerce

Jason Parton

Director of the Institute of Business Analytics