In October 2024, we celebrated the grand opening of the HAVI Center for Analytics and Technology (HCAT) at the Northern Illinois University (NIU) College of Business. Situated on the third floor of Barsema Hall, this state-of-the-art lab is more than just a space for learning—it’s a bridge between education and real-world application. This partnership, highlighted by a ribbon-cutting ceremony, reflects our shared vision for nurturing future talent and advancing the fields of data analytics and technology.
HAVI is committed to supporting experiential learning that equips students with the skills necessary to excel in tomorrow’s workforce. Through this partnership, students will engage in hands-on projects exploring emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain, big data, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Rodney Brown, Senior VP & Chief Supply Chain Officer at HAVI, emphasized the strategic importance of the center, stating, “We are excited to partner with the NIU College of Business to launch the HAVI Center for Analytics and Technology. This initiative will be a game changer for HAVI and our partners, not to mention NIU students and data analytics leaders of the future. Our success as an organization depends on attracting and retaining top talent, and HCAT will be an important part of our strategy to attract top Huskie talent to HAVI. Access to outstanding faculty researchers will also enable HAVI to stay at the forefront of solving difficult challenges in the areas of analytics and supply chain and provides access to the latest technology in this space.”
Our commitment to innovation and nurturing tomorrow’s talent
HAVI’s substantial financial and engagement contributions to this project underscore our recognition of the growing need for intellectual expertise in data analytics. By partnering with NIU, we align ourselves with an institution that shares our values of innovation and leadership. Rodney noted, “NIU’s commitment to innovation in the space of data analytics made them the ideal partner in this initiative.”
Recognizing that the future of our industry depends on a workforce skilled in advanced analytics, the HAVI Center for Analytics and Technology is designed to be much more than a traditional classroom. Equipped with eight collaborative pods, each featuring shared 32-inch monitors, and an 86-inch interactive “BenQ” display, the space promotes teamwork and innovation. Students will benefit from practical exposure to technology that drives real-world business decisions, preparing them for future leadership roles.
A partnership for future growth
This collaboration with NIU is not only an investment in the next generation of data analytics professionals, but also a reflection of HAVI’s broader mission to foster growth and innovation in all areas of our business. We’re excited to watch the development of the HCAT and to welcome future graduates to our team, where they can contribute to solving complex challenges in supply chain analytics and beyond.
As Dean Joan Phillips-Hernandez of NIU College of Business shared, “We are so thankful to our partner, HAVI, for their incredibly generous investment in our students. We expect the lab to be a hub for collaboration, and we are happy to share these state-of-the-art resources with all our Huskie students.”
At HAVI, we believe that the key to sustained success lies in strong partnerships and a commitment to innovation. The HAVI Center for Analytics and Technology exemplifies how we’re fostering talent and technology that will drive the future of our industry. We are excited to see the positive impact this initiative will have on the students, faculty, and broader community at NIU and look forward to deepening our collaboration in the years to come.
