Experiential Learning in Action – MSIS Industry Capstone
This session will offer reflections on the trials and successes of the MSIS Industry Capstone Program at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business. Among other accomplishments, the Capstone Program has successfully implemented a practice of experiential learning through close mentorship and client collaboration, providing students with the opportunity to master the art of consulting in real-world settings. The session will explore the program’s structure, impact, and strategies for improving collaboration between academia and industry, and will provide participants with a clear understanding of the challenges and rewards associated with implementing similar capstone programs.
Presenters
Minoo Modaresnezhad is an Associate Clinical Professor in Smith’s DOIT department. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2017 and previously served as a tenured Associate Professor at UNC Wilmington’s Cameron School of Business. Her research explores the impact of IT-enabled systems on communication, interaction, and business, emphasizing individual behavior and cognition. Key topics include AI ethics, crowdsourcing, social media analytics, and privacy/security. Her work is published in leading journals like Information & Management and Computers in Biology & Medicine. She has designed and taught courses such as Generative AI for Business and Text Data Analytics.
Paul T Shapiro is an Associate Clinical Professor at the Smith School, where he teaches courses in managing information systems, systems analysis and design, and project management. Previously, he served as an Assistant Professor at the National Defense University and as Science and Technology Advisor at the National Maritime Intelligence-Integration Office. His career spans roles such as Chief of Program Controls at the NGA, Director of Business Operations at CPB, and Senior Manager at PBS. With a Ph.D. in Systems Engineering from GWU, his research includes modeling workforce behavior. He has extensive experience in strategic planning, data management, and federal service.