Nearly 100 students from universities across Southern California, including Chapman University, Cal State Long Beach, University of Southern California, Loyola Marymount University, and our own Business Titans gathered at the Cal State Fullerton campus on Oct. 18 for the first-ever SoCal Datathon.

Powered by Alteryx and presented by the College of Business and Economics and the CSUF School of Accountancy, the event gave students the opportunity to innovate through data-driven problem-solving on behalf of the Orange County Transportation Authority, which presented a real-world challenge that could only be solved by using platforms that can handle Big Data, such as Alteryx (the event sponsor) and Tableau. A total of $20,000 in prizes gave participants incentive to work this problem as well as valuable practical experience as they continue their academic journeys.

“The first-ever SoCal Datathon exemplifies our commitment to providing students with real-world, data-driven problem-solving experiences,” said Sri Sundaram, dean of the College of Business and Economics. “By partnering with the Orange County Transportation Authority and leveraging tools like Alteryx, our students gained invaluable insights into the power of Big Data and AI. This event, along with an executive roundtable where business leaders discussed preparing the next generation for 21st-century data-driven careers, ensures our students are developing the skills and knowledge needed to excel at the forefront of innovation and data analytics.”

Before the final presentations, Cal State Fullerton hosted an executive roundtable in which Dean Sundaram and business leaders engaged in discussions about the integration of Big Data and artificial intelligence (AI) in the education and workforce. Also, they explored the challenges and opportunities that students and employers will face in the future with these new technologies.

“At Cal State Fullerton, we’ve been leaders in integrating data analytics into our accounting program for over half a decade, shaping the future of education in this field,” said Vivek Mande, director of the School of Accountancy. “The SoCal Datathon gave our students an incredible opportunity to apply advanced data tools to real-world challenges, equipping them with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in an industry that increasingly integrates on AI and Big Data.”

The winning team included students from Chapman University, Loyola Marymount University, and Cal State University Fullerton. The students from CSUF were Jesse Martinez ’26, a GAP4+1, who is studying to get his business administration with a concentration in accounting, and Sarita Joshi ’25, a graduate student pursuing her Master’s in computer science. Also, included in the team was Miteb Aloqab from Loyola Marymount University and Sarah Martell of Chapman University.

The students found an innovative, tech-forward solution analyzing datasets with Alteryx and Tableau programs for the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA). The winning team analyzed which areas show the greatest potential for active transportation, such as walking or biking, based on proximity to central locations, and how current trip-origin patterns indicate the need for more active transportation infrastructure.

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