This post was originally shared on the Walton College of Business LinkedIn.
Meet Poornima Malviya, a Walton College Master of Information Systems alumna with a concentration in Digital Innovation and now, a Program Manager at Walmart. Originally from Hyderabad, India, Poornima returned to academia after five years of professional experience to deepen her expertise in AI, data, and emerging technologies through Walton College’s one-year MIS program.
During her time at the University of Arkansas, Poornima served as Director of Technology for the Association for Information Systems (AIS), leading the organization’s digital strategy and technical initiatives. She was also a Core Leader for the International Culture Team, helping lead multicultural programming and cultural presentations across campus.
Q&A with Poornima:
What experiences inside the classroom have shaped your academic or career path so far?
Beyond building strong foundational knowledge in the classroom, the hands-on projects truly shaped my academic and career journey. Applying concepts to real-world scenarios helped me move from simply understanding ideas to confidently implementing them. Those practical experiences made the learning more meaningful. Working on team-based projects with classmates from diverse backgrounds also played a significant role in my growth. It taught me how to collaborate effectively, communicate ideas clearly, navigate different perspectives, and stay aligned toward a common goal. These classroom experiences not only strengthened my technical skills but also prepared me for the collaborative, fast-paced environment I now work in as a Program Manager.
What was your favorite class at Walton and why?
My favorite class has to be Digital Innovation, taught by Mary Lacity and Zach Steelman. What made this course especially meaningful was the balance between understanding the foundational concepts of AI—its evolution, impact, and real-world applications—and getting hands-on experience with emerging tools. We had the opportunity to experiment with AI platforms, build prototypes from simple ideas and sketches, and explore different coding and automation tools. The freedom to create and test our own concepts made the learning experience both engaging and empowering. More than anything, the class helped me appreciate how rapidly AI is evolving and how important it is to stay curious and adaptable in today’s technology-driven world.
