CMU students excel in process mining challenge

Central Michigan University’s College of Business Administration hosted its third annual CMU x Celonis Process Mining Case Competition on Nov. 15. The event showcased the problem-solving skills of 24 students from various disciplines, competing to analyze and optimize real-world business processes using advanced tools and techniques.

Real-world problems, real-world solutions

Students leveraged Celonis' tools, such as Process AI and Process Overview, to identify inefficiencies and propose actionable solutions in IT service management operations datasets. Participants worked in teams, guided by industry mentors and faculty, to deliver data-driven recommendations, including automation strategies to enhance efficiency.

“The event provided a valuable platform for students across disciplines to address complex challenges and gain practical experience in process optimization,” said CMU faculty member and event co-organizer Vishal Shah. “With guidance from faculty and support from industry partners and mentors, participants developed thoughtful and impactful solutions to extract insights from real-world datasets and improve business processes.”

Celebrating excellence and innovation

The winning team—made up of Brett Pero, Joseph Sager, Leo Liu, Ayushi Tripathi, and Ashley McClain—was awarded a total of $2,500 in scholarships, adding an extra layer of excitement to the event.

“This competition is an incredible opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of process mining,” said MSIS student Leo Liu. “This kind of hands-on experience not only reinforces the principles of data mining but also equips students with practical expertise in process optimization—valuable skills for any career in information systems or business. It’s a challenge, but with curiosity and effort, it’s an exciting learning opportunity.”

Student success through teamwork

For many students, the experience was both challenging and rewarding.

“Celonis is a powerful platform that you can do a lot with. However, such modularity comes with a significant learning curve,” said information systems student Brett Pero. “My main advice to anyone who wants to learn Celonis is to understand the ‘big picture’ of what it's used for. If you know why you're doing something, it’s easier to understand the technicalities.”

“The motivation behind joining this competition was to challenge myself and acquire new skills,” said information systems student Joseph Sager. “The best part was collaborating with a team of intelligent, driven individuals. Together, we leveraged our strengths to analyze the dataset, identify inefficiencies and propose solutions using automation.”

Sager emphasized the importance of industry collaboration and hands-on learning. “Our mentor, Deloitte Process Bionics Consultant Corey Arnouts, played a pivotal role in our success. His expertise and guidance were very helpful and we are incredibly grateful for his support throughout the process.”

Bridging academics and industry

The event not only celebrated academic excellence but also highlighted CMU’s role as a leader in process mining education. Recognized as a Celonis Process Mining Center of Academic Excellence for four consecutive years, CMU is one of only two U.S. institutions to earn this distinction in 2024.

The competition also highlighted CMU’s commitment to fostering industry connections. Nine mentors—from Celonis, Deloitte, Dow, Infosys, PwC and Tech Mahindra—supported the student teams by sharing career insights and helping students refine their approaches.

“Dedicated mentors, judges and industry partners provided invaluable guidance and support throughout the competition,” said Shah. “Their involvement and expertise make this initiative possible and help equip our students with the skills they need for future success.”

Fostering the future of process mining

Over CMU 1,000 students have been trained in process mining, earning industry-recognized certifications. Events like this competition further cement CMU’s position as a global leader in this fast-growing field.

“We look forward to seeing how these talented individuals will continue to drive innovation and transformation in the world of process mining,” said Shah.

For more information on the competition and process mining, contact Vishal Shah at shah3v@cmich.edu or process mining faculty member and event co-organizer Santiago Aguirre at aguir2s@cmich.edu.