By Harry Rothgerber ’69
Matt Mitchell ’08 MBA is a self-described data nerd who can quickly lapse into “geek speak” while discussing data-mining techniques as a programmer analyst on the Business Intelligence team at LG&E & KU.
So how does he address people whose eyes glaze over when the subject of analytics is raised?
“I like to give an example that most people can relate to, especially kids,” he said. “What would you say if I could give you a prediction of how much money you'll get for your next birthday based on how much you received in the previous five to 10 years and how many people you invited to your birthday party? Usually the response is, ‘That would be cool, but how could you do that?’ My response is, ‘With predictive analytics.’”
“I really enjoyed my time at Bellarmine, had a great cohort, and have a lot of great memories, especially the international trip to Madrid, Spain.”
Growing up in Louisville, Mitchell always enjoyed mathematics, particularly algebra. That led to a degree in Computer Science from Indiana University and a lifetime passion for analytics. He hadn’t planned to attend graduate school, but after a good friend raved about the MBA program at Bellarmine’s Rubel School of Business, he enrolled in 2007.
“I really enjoyed my time at Bellarmine, had a great cohort, and have a lot of great memories, especially the international trip to Madrid, Spain,” he said.
One of his favorite professors was Dr. Ida Kutschera. “Her passion for organizational behavior was contagious, but her love for her students really stood out,” he said. “Dr. Kutschera taught us to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in German for any members of my cohort whose birthday fell on a class day.”
His educational journey continued with an exceptional online experience at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, where he received a master’s degree in Business Intelligence and Analytics.
As Mitchell’s career progressed, analytics became more consequential to each position, and he truly enjoyed analyzing data. “What drew me to advanced business analysis was a combination of coding, digging into data, and finding the story that data was telling,” he said.
Mitchell’s goal is to become a leader in Louisville’s data science community, specifically in data visualization—a field that deals with the graphic representation of data.
“Firms are increasingly dependent upon collecting, storing and analyzing data in order to run their day-to-day operations,” said Dr. Frank Raymond, a professor of Economics and director of the Rubel School’s MBA program. “Perhaps even more importantly, firms use data to discover new opportunities to expand markets, develop more efficient supply chains and innovate. As such, applied business analytics have become as integral to an MBA as finance, management or marketing.”
As Mitchell continued his analytics career at LG&E, he remained involved at Bellarmine through the MBA Advisory Board. “I planted a seed that if they ever started an analytics program or classes, I would love to share my analytics experience by teaching,” he said. When a former dean asked him to give a presentation, he jumped at the chance. “My passion for analytics must have shined during that presentation,” he said. He has been an adjunct faculty member since May 2019.
In addition to teaching
Business Analytics, Mitchell has taught a course called Database Management Systems, Big Data, and Analytics. “I just love the learning environment at BU,” he said, adding that he was given latitude to develop curriculum and make the class his own.
“Matt is talented, hardworking, and very approachable,” Raymond said. “He is also very familiar with our student-centered approach.”
Teaching during COVID-19 has been challenging, Mitchell said, but the MBA program has adapted to the changing academic environment. “Not only did we quickly move to a virtual teaching/learning environment, but all the faculty were willing to help each other, to share what has worked and not worked, so we could all make adjustments in real time for the betterment of our students.”
Mitchell’s goal is to become a leader in Louisville’s data science community, specifically in data visualization—a field that deals with the graphic representation of data. “The key to data visualization is to be able to visualize complex analysis in an easy-to-understand way,” he said. “I want to become an expert so I can share that knowledge with others at Bellarmine, LG&E, and the Louisville community, to help raise the bar in that area.”
For Mitchell, leisure time means family time. “I've been married for 20 years to my college sweetheart [Autumn Mitchell ’05 MAT], and we love to travel with our two boys,” who are 15 and 11, he said. “Prior to the pandemic, we tried to take a family vacation every year. We love road-tripping throughout the U.S. and cruising the Caribbean.” Mitchell gives back to the community through his involvement in his church’s youth ministry and with Cornerstone Chrysalis, a weekend program that focuses on the spiritual growth of high school and college youth.
Mitchell said he’s grateful to Bellarmine for believing in him and providing the opportunity to share his passion for analytics. “I never imagined I'd teach, but it’s proven to be more rewarding than I could have envisioned!”