Global Head of Data Strategy & Solutions, Worldpay | FIS

Dennis is currently the Global Head of Data Strategy & Solutions for Worldpay from FIS. In his twelve years at FIS, he has established Data Science as a core competency enabling transformative capabilities such as advanced data visualization, predictive analytics, and ML/AI. Ultimately Dennis has played a key leadership role in activating data-driven decisions that have established competitive advantages in market for both FIS and Clients alike.

In his current role, Dennis is driving data and analytics strategy, governance strategy, as well as capital investment in data as a senior leader of Worldpay from FIS. He brings a wealth of experience supporting many of the world’s largest retailers, corporations, and payments brands for nearly 20 years.

Dennis and his team are focused on boldly innovating and maximizing FIS’s responsible use of data assets to ideate, architect, and build market-leading solutions for our colleagues and clients. They combine a multi-faceted approach with an intricate understanding of how best to harness data to deliver value through informed decisions and innovative outcomes. Through rapid development, centered in business value, they enable success for their stakeholders by accelerating time to market.

Dennis is also an inventor and has over twenty-five issued or allowed patents.

Data and Planning Analyst, Farmer School of Business, Miami University

Alan Clift earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Miami in 1983, majoring in Systems Analysis. He has 40 years of experience as an IT Programmer/Developer, including 13 years with Miami’s Business Intelligence team developing data warehouse solutions. He has spent the last 2 years in the Farmer School of Business working primarily with student and course data.

Regional Data Analyst, Enrollment Management, Miami University Regionals

Oliver Davis has served in the position of data analyst for Miami University Regionals for four years and has nine years of professional experience in data and analytics roles. What Oliver enjoys most about working for Miami University Regionals is the commitment to providing access to affordable education for the surrounding communities. As a Hamilton native, Oliver is glad to be in a role where he can use his skills to support an institution with such a vital mission. What Oliver enjoys most about working with data is that there is always opportunity to learn something new.

Oliver is also a Miami University Alumni (Class of 2014). Outside of work, Oliver enjoys gaming, spending quality time with his wife and son, and exploring the diverse world of whiskey as a collector and enthusiast.

Assistant Vice President of Research and Analytics, Enrollment Management and Student Success, Miami University

Steven Graunke is Assistant Vice President of Research and Analytics in the Division of Enrollment Management and Student Success at Miami University. In this role, Steven completes requests for student data and information, conducts studies of the effectiveness of EMSS programs and services, and supervises the work of a team of talented analysts fulfilling requests from decision makers.

Steven has conducted over 40 workshops and presentations at local and national conferences. He has served as a reviewer for the Journal of College Student Development Research in Brief, the National Symposium on Student Retention, and in several capacities for the Association for Institutional Research. Steven has also been extremely active in local professional organizations, including serving as President of the Indiana Association for Institutional Research and as Chair of 2013 Indiana Association for Institutional Research Annual Conference. Steven received an Ed.D. in Higher Education and Student Affairs with a minor in Inquiry Methodology from Indiana University. He received his Masters’ degree in Counseling from Ball State University and his Bachelor’s in Psychology with a minor in Chemistry from Butler University.

Information Security Analyst III, IT Services, Miami University

Jake is a certified computer examiner by the International Society of Forensic Computer Examiners, and he holds a degree from Miami in computer information and management. He has been with the ISO for a little under four years now, and has been an instrumental part of several cybersecurity awareness campaigns during his time.

Before coming to the ISO, he worked as a senior support analyst I with the Technology Support Services (TSS) group within IT. He coordinated work efforts for TSS, researched ways to improve client experience, and assisted partners with projects that included technical components.

Senior Information Security Analyst, IT Services, Miami University

Tony Kinne is a security analyst in IT Services' Information Security Office. Tony began working for IT Services in 1998 as a student handling phone support at the help desk before becoming a full-time employee in the Network Operations Center in 2001. He later worked as a Linux system administrator before joining the Security Office nine years ago.

Along the way, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education at Miami and married a current Miami doctoral student, with whom he has two children, aged seven and nine. When not preoccupied with protecting university data, Tony enjoys playing with his kids, listening to music, and building stuff.

Data and Planning Analyst, Office of Research and Innovation, Miami University

Tim Kuykendoll is a 2005 Miami graduate of the Systems Analysis program in the College of Engineering and Computing. After graduation, Tim worked for 12 years in the Miami Registrar's office, doing extensive reporting and data work with departments throughout the university. In 2017 Tim moved into his current role in the College of Arts & Science as Data & Planning Analyst, where he works with data on enrollment, course offerings, budgets, and more.

Data Science Instructor, Center for Analytics and Data Science (CADS), Miami University

Prior to assuming his current role as an Instructor at Miami University, Mayer was a Senior Executive at Accenture, where he worked for more than 32 years. In that capacity, he led and executed a broad array of projects in different industries leveraging data science theory, workflow, and tools. Some of these projects included:

• Customer segmentation analysis for a large chemical company.
• Supply chain optimization for a major polymers manufacturer.
• Production scheduling algorithm design and deployment for a tire manufacturer.
• Implementation of an enterprise-grade project planning and estimating tool that was initially created and then operationally refined based on data analytics.

Throughout his career, he has come to understand the importance of clear messaging through data visualization. Recently, he created the Data Visualization for Excel course for CADS. Today, he teaches the Business Computing (CSE 148) course for undergraduates and the Foundations of Data Science course offered by CADS Professional Education with an eye towards highlighting the importance of thoughtful data visualization.

In his free time, Mayer enjoys traveling, learning foreign languages, drinking good wine, eating good food, and exercising.

Director of Digital Marketing, University Communications and Marketing, Miami University

Courtney O'Banion currently serves as the director of digital marketing at Miami University. O'Banion is a digital storyteller and results-driven digital marketing leader with 10+ years experience transforming and centralizing digital marketing teams and strategies.

Prior to her time in higher ed, O'Banion led and served on digital teams at Publix Super Markets Inc., a FORTUNE 100 company; Bon Secours Mercy Health, one of the nation’s 20 largest health care systems; and Give Kids The World, a $100M international nonprofit that provides cost-free Orlando vacations to critically ill children and their families.

O'Banion received her bachelor's in public relations and communications from Ohio Northern University, and MBA from Miami University.

Advancement Data Analyst, University Advancement, Miami University

Jennifer Pollin works as an Advancement Data Analyst in University Advancement, where she has worked for the last eight years. Jennifer’s primary focus includes data analytics and visualization for the division. Additionally, she helps with reporting and auditing. Jennifer enjoys helping her colleagues digest data/information in a way that is effective for them, laying groundwork for data informed decision making.

She has also been a past speaker at CASE DRIVE/CAST and Anthology Together. Jennifer is an alumna of Miami, recently completing the MBA program.

Data and Planning Analyst, College of Creative Arts, Miami University

Gretchen Radler studied English, theatre, and math at Wittenberg University, earning a Bachelor of Arts and graduating summa cum laude in 1994. She went on to earn a Master of Arts in Theatre History from Indiana University in 1996 and a Master of Fine Arts in Directing from the University of Montana in 2001. After working in the accounting sector and earning her CPA-eligibility, she joined the Farmer School of Business as the Academic Program Coordinator in the Department of Accountancy in 2004. Over a decade later, she returned to her creative arts roots, being named the Assistant Dean and Lead Divisional Advisor for the College of Creative Arts (CCA) in 2015. She moved into her current role as Data & Planning Analyst for CCA in 2022, where she works with various types of data, including data related to student enrollment, budgets, accreditation reports, staffing, and course and program offerings and enrollment.

Director, Center for Analytics and Data Science (CADS), Miami University

Dave has a wealth of experience spanning over 33 years as an educator and technologist, having spent the last 24 years as a valued member of the Miami team. His journey began in the field of secondary education, where he taught physics and biology before moving on to become the district technology coordinator for a large school district. Throughout his career, Dave has held various positions at Miami, including Learning Systems coordinator, Course Evaluations coordinator, and full-time faculty with ISA and CSE, where he achieved the title of Associate Lecturer. He also served as the CSE148 Coordinator for four and a half years, making a significant impact in his role. Dave later transitioned to a new chapter in his career by joining CADS, where he continues to contribute his expertise and passion for technology and education.

Associate Director, Research and Analytics, Enrollment Management and Student Success, Miami University

Daryl joined the Research and Analysis group in Enrollment Management and Student Success in May of 2016. He works with admission, enrollment, degree, financial aid, and bursar data. He has experience with Tableau, SQL, Microsoft Access, and the Slate admission system. In his time at Miami, he has undertaken lots of projects blending data from disparate sources using Tableau Prep.

Before coming to Miami, he worked in institutional research at the University of Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky University, and the University of Toledo. Daryl started in higher education at the Ohio Board of Regents (now known as the Ohio Department of Higher Education).

Daryl received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and served in the United States Marine Corps (a very long time ago). He lives in Oxford with wife and two sons.