Program: MBA/MSM–Finance
Year: Third-year
Vaibhav Khurana knows firsthand how data visualization can be the key to effective decision-making. A third-year student in Weatherhead School of Management’s Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in Management–Finance dual degree program, he spent the fall semester applying his data visualization skills in the realm of local government.
Khurana—a Civic Engagement Scholar in the university’s Center for Civic Engagement and Learning—started volunteering in the office of Elyria Mayor Frank Whitfield this semester to help the city evaluate the impact of their ongoing recreational programs. Khurana examined years of data for parks department programs such as tennis and volleyball with the goal of helping the city determine how to help more residents benefit from them.
“Visualizing data makes it even more impactful in driving changes as it helps the stakeholders identify the trends and make more informed decisions,” Khurana said.
Volunteerism has been an important aspect of Khurana’s education at CWRU, as he enjoys applying his skills and knowledge for the benefit of others. Though the semester has ended, he hopes to continue digging deeper into the data for the City of Elyria.
Prior to coming to CWRU, Khurana earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Delhi, Hansraj College, and worked for an investment fund before moving into health care management. The Weatherhead Healthcare Scholars Program was the primary factor that inspired Khurana to come to CWRU.
In the time he’s been here, Khurana has not only volunteered but has applied his knowledge on campus as president of the Weatherhead Healthcare Club and is serving on the Academic Integrity Board/University Judicial Board.