Valentina Bulava

At the end of September, the team from the Paul College Center for Business Analytics had the unique privilege of being hosted in Washington, DC, courtesy of one of our long-term clients. Our stay was made very pleasant thanks to the exceptional hospitality extended to us by Mercury SGS LLC and the Army & Navy Club.

Mercury SGS, a generous sponsor of our trip, is renowned for guiding companies, whether burgeoning startups or established enterprises, through the intricate maze of US Government Contracting. Their seasoned professionals bring decades of expertise to the table, adeptly addressing many compliance challenges faced by US companies eager to set up operations in overseas territories, including those with challenging environments.

Our stay was at the prestigious Army & Navy Club. For those unfamiliar with this institution, the Army & Navy Club is a private, members-only club established in 1885. It's a hub for military officers and civilians to gather, network, and share stories. The rich history of the club, combined with its grandeur and traditions, made our stay special.

The primary purpose of our visit was to present the progress our talented student analysts have made on a project. Will Alfonsi (MS Economics), Joseph Roussos (BS Analytics and Data Science), Daniel Lavoie (BS Computer Science), Heather Linscott (BS Mathematics), and Justine Nwanakwere (PhD Economics) exemplified professionalism in their presentations and interactions, making us immensely proud of the dedication and expertise they bring to the Center. Their objective has been to enhance the efficiency of document processing for paralegals – an initiative that holds the promise of revolutionizing the workflow in many legal firms. Observing the growth of our team, both in terms of skills and confidence, was immensely rewarding. Their dedication and hard work have truly paid off, and the commendations from our client were a testament to that. 

Justine N presenting

Of course, no trip to Washington, DC, would be complete without indulging in a bit of sightseeing. From the historical magnificence of the National Archives and the Lincoln Memorial to the artistic brilliance of the National Gallery of Art, we were awestruck. For some of our students, it was their very first voyage to the capital, making the experience even more memorable.

Such trips and collaborations are paramount for the Center and Paul College, UNH. They not only bridge the gap between academia and industry but also reinforce our commitment to providing industry with academic excellence. Through these endeavors, we aim to be at the forefront, leading with innovation and expertise in the realm of business analytics.

We returned, not just with pleasant memories but also with renewed vigor and determination to continue making a difference through our projects at the Paul College Center for Business Analytics. A big shoutout to Chris Reid of Mercury SGS and Jeff Spears, Founder, for making this trip possible and to our students for making us proud!