Developing a Student Community of Learning

Recognizing this reality, four of the authors [two graduate students and two undergraduate students at State University of New York College at Old Westbury (SUNY Old Westbury)], searched for additional opportunities to strengthen their analytical skills. With support from the chair of the accounting department, the School of Business graduate program director, the assistant dean, and the assistant to the dean for impact and instructional design, the authors received competitive scholarships sponsored by the provost and the dean of the School of Business. Modeling the Business Analytics Learning Community after NYSSCPA Technical Committees The students laid the foundation for their learning community by establishing a vision that would emphasize obtaining and transferring knowledge without the pressure of grades. Because classmates might consider joining the community solely to enhance their resumés, the students tried to organize the community differently in appearance and functionality from traditional college clubs. Championing a Topic Each student chose a topic to lead, leveraging the society's operations manual and adapting the following practices to prepare future meetings of the learning community: * Scheduling and conducting a series of organizational meetings throughout the summer so that the community can welcome new members when the fall semester begins * Developing an action plan statement * Designating a member to serve as a champion for subtopics/center of excellence activities * Considering the development of a periodic newsletter to communicate activities and foster interest on campus * Considering the needs of new members and how to develop a welcoming learning environment * Keeping minutes for follow-up actions (this continues to be a challenge) * Considering how the community can conduct miniature training events or boot camps to further student competency * Assessing the practicalities of preparing an annual report so that the collective community can celebrate its accomplishments.