Josh Koelker knows data! At George’s Inc. – one of the top ten vertically integrated chicken producers in the United States – Josh serves as a business intelligence architect at its headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas. This means he assists company leaders to understand the trends and patterns within a myriad of operational data.
Josh Koelker Master of Information Systems ‘25 Business Intelligence Architect George's Inc. |
All along the supply chain progression, data gives insights on business decisions. Josh is there to mine the data and present findings that give leaders valuable information.
To up his game, Josh decided to pursue a Master of Information Systems degree at the Graduate School of Business at the University of Arkansas in the fall of 2023. This part-time program was created for working professionals like Josh who want to advance their career and learn new skills.
Throughout the two-year program, Josh was able to continue working while going to school in face-to-face classes one Saturday a month combined with online classes during the week. The flexible format allows students to build their information systems toolkit with enterprise resource planning (ERP), business analytics, emerging technology, cybersecurity and enterprise systems, and utilize those tools in their current jobs.
"The MIS program at Walton UARK has been incredibly impactful for my career,” Koelker said. “In this field, what you know often matters more than just having qualifications, and this program is packed with industry-relevant knowledge. From mastering advanced analytics techniques, cloud computing, and data warehousing to exploring cutting-edge technologies like AI development, the metaverse and blockchain, the program provides a comprehensive and future-focused education.”
At George’s, Josh designs data models and creates dashboards to communicate insights to various leaders. He analyzes data to identify business trends and develops and documents business intelligence solutions. In short, he dives into the data and translates that information to leadership.
“A strong emphasis on IT management has also been a game-changer. During my first year as a professional student, I gained skills that helped me excel in my current role. By my second year, I was learning tools and strategies to elevate my career to the next level,” Josh added. “For example, I introduced AI to my company by developing its first AI solution: a chatbot for salespeople that provides detailed information about the products we offer. Thanks to this program, I not only gained the technical skills to design and implement the chatbot but also learned how to create a plan, present it to leadership, secure funding, and build a team to bring the project to life.”
A strong focus of the MIS program is its emphasis on networking with corporate partners and classmates.
“Beyond the classroom, this program has provided invaluable networking opportunities,” he said. “I've built great friendships and connected with professionals in the industry, which has opened doors to new opportunities. One of the highlights of my experience was traveling to Ireland as part of the ERP class, where I gained firsthand insights into how ERPs operate by learning directly from SAP Ireland, a leader in the field.”
“This program has truly been transformative, equipping me with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to make a real impact in my career."
