North Carolina (NC) State INFORMS Student Chapter Board

Yuhan Hu	Jingwei Qian
North Carolina State University	North Carolina State University

The NC State INFORMS Student Chapter is a student-led organization at NC State University that promotes academic and professional engagement in operations research, analytics, and management science. In the 2024–2025 academic year, the chapter is guided by faculty advisor Dr. Osman Ozaltin and led by a board of six members: Yuhan Hu (President), Devin Li (Vice President), Vikrant Ravindra Dete (Secretary), Jingwei Qian (Treasurer), and Pavana Anand (Social Media Coordinator). The chapter seeks to bridge connections among students, faculty, and professionals through academic events, networking opportunities, and industry engagement. It actively supports INFORMS’ broader mission of advancing decision science to solve critical societal and organizational challenges.

Can you tell us a little bit about the history of the NC State INFORMS Student Chapter?

The NC State INFORMS Student Chapter has been an active and impactful part of the NC State University community, housed within the Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. Founded to promote student engagement in operations research, analytics, and management sciences, the chapter has grown into a network that connects students with professionals from both academia and industry. Over the years, the chapter has consistently been recognized by INFORMS, receiving multiple national Student Chapter Awards—including the Cum Laude designation in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2022, which highlights its excellence in student engagement and program development. The chapter organizes a range of activities such as research seminars, industry panels, presentation workshops, and collaborative events with other student chapters, etc.

During the past years, the chapter hosted a variety of events throughout the academic year, including technical seminars, research presentation workshops, alumni career panels, and collaborative sessions with other student chapters. These activities not only strengthen students’ technical knowledge but also enhance their communication, leadership, and networking skills. The chapter is also involved in mentoring initiatives, where advanced students support those newer to the field, helping build a strong, supportive academic community. Open to both undergraduate and graduate students, the chapter plays a key role in preparing students for careers in academia and industry by encouraging hands-on learning, interdisciplinary dialogue, and active participation in the broader decision science community.

What are the goals of this Chapter and what motivates the members most?

The NC State INFORMS Student Chapter aims to cultivate a vibrant, inclusive community of students passionate about operations research, analytics, and data-driven decision-making. The chapter serves as a platform to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world applications by organizing activities such as technical workshops, speaker seminars, industry panels, etc. One of its key objectives is to expose students to the interdisciplinary nature of OR and analytics by fostering collaborations across engineering, statistics, computer science, and business. By connecting students with researchers and professionals, the chapter not only broadens their understanding of emerging methodologies and trends but also helps them explore various career paths. Additionally, the chapter supports student-led initiatives, encourages participation in national conferences such as INFORMS and IISE, and provides mentorship and leadership opportunities for members at all levels of study.

What motivates members most is the opportunity to be part of a proactive community that values intellectual curiosity, professional growth, and meaningful collaboration. Many members join the chapter seeking more than academic enrichment; specifically, they are looking for mentorship, networking opportunities, and a space to engage with like-minded peers. The chance to learn from alumni working at top companies, participate in case competitions, and present research in a low-pressure environment is incredibly empowering. Students are also drawn to the chapter’s emphasis on practical impact, specifically on how OR and analytics can be applied to solve complex problems in healthcare, supply chains, sustainability, and beyond. For many, being part of the chapter provides not only technical development but also a sense of identity and purpose within a field that is constantly evolving and expanding.

What are the expectations of the members for the future of this Chapter?

Members hope the Chapter will become a catalyst for personal and professional growth, offering students meaningful opportunities to discover their interests, build confidence, and develop leadership skills. There is a strong expectation that the Chapter will serve as a platform where students can take initiative, so they can gain real-world experience in a supportive environment. Members also envision the Chapter taking a more active role in helping students navigate their career paths. This includes hosting mock interviews, resume reviews, and technical challenges that simulate real job scenarios. By focusing on career readiness and leadership development, members believe the Chapter can become a launchpad for students to make a tangible impact both within the university and in their future careers.

What are the key activities that the Chapter conducts throughout the year?

The NC State INFORMS Student Chapter hosts a variety of activities throughout the academic year that are designed to foster academic excellence, professional development, and community building among students interested in operations research, analytics, and related fields. These events not only enhance technical skills and industry awareness but also encourage collaboration and communication across different disciplines.

• Ph.D. Student Seminar Series: This provides a dedicated platform for Ph.D. students to present their research in progress to a broad audience of peers and faculty. It allows students to practice academic communication, receive constructive feedback, and spark interdisciplinary discussions. The series also helps early-stage researchers build confidence and refine their ideas before conference presentations or dissertation defenses.
• Seminar Series from Other Universities: The chapter regularly invites Ph.D. students and postdocs from peer institutions to present their cutting-edge research. This initiative not only enriches the intellectual atmosphere at NC State but also broadens members’ exposure to different research methodologies, problem domains, and academic cultures. It encourages cross-institution collaboration and helps students see how their work fits into the national and international research landscape.
• Industry Panels: These panels feature professionals from a variety of sectors, such as supply chain, data science, consulting, healthcare, and manufacturing, who share their career journeys, current roles, and insights into applying operations research in practice. Students gain valuable exposure to industry trends, learn about internships and job opportunities, and develop a deeper understanding of how their academic training can be translated into impactful real-world solutions.
• Networking Events: Held both formally (such as alumni mixers or speaker receptions) and informally (like coffee chats or game nights), these events strengthen connections among students, faculty, and industry professionals. They create a sense of community within the department, offer mentorship opportunities, and often lead to collaborative projects, internships, or future employment.
• Creative Engagement: The chapter also explores innovative ways to promote operations research and analytics beyond the traditional academic setting. These efforts aim to enhance science communication, spark curiosity, and make complex topics more accessible to broader audiences. For example, the chapter organizes a video contest where students are challenged to explain research ideas or real-world applications of operations research through short, engaging videos. Activities like this not only encourage creativity and teamwork but also help participants develop storytelling and visualization skills, which are valuable tools for both academic presentations and professional communication.

Figure 1: INFORMS Industry Panel Session

How do you recruit new members and the leadership board? What key personality traits do you look for in students during the recruitment process?

The NC State INFORMS Student Chapter embraces an open and inclusive philosophy. We welcome all undergraduate, master’s, and Ph.D. students who are interested in industrial engineering, operations research, data science, or related fields to join our community. When recruiting new executive board members, we place particular emphasis on the following core qualities:

• Responsibility and Engagement: Candidates should demonstrate a strong commitment to the Chapter’s mission, actively participate in events, and exhibit a spirit of collaboration.
• Execution and Attention to Detail: Members are expected to manage complex tasks efficiently—ranging from event planning and social media management to logistics and communications—while maintaining a balance with their academic workload.
• Passion and Vision: We value candidates who are genuinely passionate about our goals: building a robust platform for academic exchange, fostering connections between students and professionals, and promoting collaboration between students and faculty.

As a growing and dynamic organization, our Chapter requires a wide array of tasks to be accomplished—from organizing speaker sessions and maintaining our website to handling promotional content and audiovisual production. We especially value team members who are proactive, detail-oriented, and grounded in practicality. Even senior Ph.D. students are expected to take part in essential but modest responsibilities, such as preparing venues, running presentations, or photographing participants during our INFORMS Conference Practice Event. This hands-on approach ensures that all activities run smoothly. Through a structured and comprehensive selection process, we aim to build a cohesive, efficient executive team that can lead the Chapter forward while enriching the academic and professional journeys of all its members.

Figure 2: INFORMS Ph.D. Student Seminar

What changes are you planning to make in the Chapter in the near future? What are you most excited about regarding the future of this Chapter? Looking ahead, we hope to strengthen our collaborations with INFORMS Student Chapters at other universities. By co-hosting both online and in-person events, we can leverage each institution’s strengths, expand our outreach, and create broader platforms for academic exchange and visibility—both for NC State and our Chapter members.

At the same time, we plan to expand our scope beyond academic discussions to foster deeper engagement with industry. Organizing site visits, facilitating conversations with professionals, and even helping students secure internships will bridge the gap between research and real-world applications, and help prepare our members for the job market.

We also recognize the growing importance of social media and digital communication. In the future, we plan to make better use of emerging global platforms such as TikTok and Xiaohongshu to promote our Chapter, share our events, and reach a wider and more diverse audience. This will help spark interest in INFORMS and attract more students to our vibrant community.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us that has not been covered by the previous questions?

One additional point we’d like to share is the importance of fostering a sense of belonging and community within the INFORMS Student Chapter. While technical growth and career preparation are key pillars of our mission, we also recognize that students thrive when they feel supported by their peers.   As part of our future vision,  we are exploring ways to strengthen internal engagement—whether through informal socials, wellness activities, or collaborative student-led initiatives that create a more inclusive and motivating environment. We believe that community-building is just as essential as professional development, especially in a demanding academic setting. Moreover, we see a unique opportunity for the chapter to serve as a platform for innovation and leadership. Our members are not only preparing for careers, they are simultaneously shaping the future of data-driven decision-making in areas such as sustainability, equity, and intelligent systems. By supporting student-led research, encouraging interdisciplinary partnerships, and amplifying student voices, we hope to position the chapter as a place where bold ideas are welcomed and new leaders are cultivated. These broader ambitions align with our goal of not just maintaining a successful chapter but creating one that is truly impactful, on campus and beyond.

Acknowledgments: We would like to thank Hasini Balasuriya for taking the time to review this article. Photo credit goes to John for the header photo and to Meredith Spencer for the footer photo.