As a running back for Bryant’s Division I football team, Kaedric Cobbs ’25MSBA needed to read formations, discover opportunities, and use that information to make decisions with success or failure hanging in the balance. Today, he is applying those skills as a Tableau Developer at Citi — a leading global bank — where he builds dashboards and data flows that help guide executive decision-making, with the help of his Bryant education.
“It’s rewarding to work with a global organization that values innovation, data, and client relationships, and I’m grateful to be in a position where I can grow, contribute, and make a real impact,” he says.
Balancing graduate-level coursework with life as a student-athlete, Cobbs thrived at Bryant University — earning a 4.0 GPA and recognition as the program’s Outstanding MSBA Student for 2025. More importantly, his time with the university has helped him to excel as a professional.
“Bryant’s MSBA program was instrumental in preparing me for my current role,” says Cobbs.
Choosing Bryant for the next step
After earning his MBA at the University of Texas at San Antonio, Cobbs wanted to strengthen his technical expertise, while continuing his athletic career. “For me, it was about committing to excellence both on the field and in the classroom,” he recalls.
“I was looking to pursue a second master’s degree that would deepen my understanding of data analytics and give me a strong foundation in programming,” Cobbs explains. “I knew that as businesses increasingly rely on data-driven decision-making, having that analytical skillset would be a major asset.”
“One of the most powerful aspects of Bryant is meeting like-minded people that are hungry for success.”
Around that same time, Bryant Head Football Coach Chris Merritt reached out to him about the opportunity to continue playing football at Bryant and told him about the university’s Master of Science in Business Analytics program, a STEM-designated program that prepares future business leaders to make the most of state-of-the-art analytics tools and techniques. “After researching the curriculum, the faculty, and the success of the program’s alumni, I knew the MSBA program was the right fit for me,” Cobbs says.
As an MSBA student, Cobbs learned about the entire data analytic life cycle from data gathering and preparation to model building and data visualization. He also developed fluency with SQL, Python, Power BI, and Tableau through applied coursework and real-world-focused projects. Through these experiences, he learned to use data to support organizational goals and strategies to tell compelling, analytics-driven stories that impact business decisions.
“The coursework gave me practical experience with real-world datasets and industry tools,” Cobbs notes. “Coupled with the opportunities to communicate data-driven insights clearly to knowledgeable parties, I was able to apply what I learned and receive feedback about where I could improve.”
A high-performing team
For Cobbs, the Bryant MSBA community made an important difference as well. “One of the most powerful aspects of Bryant is meeting like-minded people that are hungry for success,” he reflects. “Every day you are surrounded by amazing, driven people, which motivates you to be at your best. You also create lifelong friendships and partnerships with students, alumni, and faculty who are there to support you.”
“Iron sharpens iron,” he concludes.
“I’m grateful for Bryant’s MSBA program. It challenged me, prepared me, and connected me with people who have truly impacted my journey.”
The MSBA faculty helped Cobbs shape his learning and professional growth throughout his entire academic journey at Bryant — supporting him across a wide variety of important areas.
“Professor Geri Louise Dimas was a major part of my success,” he says. “She took time out of her evening during my first semester to meet with me and some of the other members of my cohort to teach us the fundamentals of programming so we wouldn’t fall behind.” She also taught a “Data Visualizations” course that helped him understand how to tell informative and insightful stories with data.
A “Leadership and Global Business” course taught by Professor of Management Eileen Kwesiga, Ph.D.’s helped Cobbs to broaden his perspective — an important asset in his current position: “Her course encouraged me to consider not just data, but also the human and cultural factors that influence business decisions,” he notes.
Executive in Residence Tom Dougherty, who brings 35 years as a data scientist in several different industries to the classroom, aided him in refining his professional and communication skills: “He would critique our presentations so that our communication was clear and effective to the point that non-expert decision makers could use our insights and suggestions,” says Cobbs.
When Citi first invited him to interview with them, Cobbs says, Doughtery was one of the first people he called — and Cobbs gave him key advice that helped him land the job.
Now, in his role at Citi, Cobbs is excited to keep growing, contributing to a global organization, and building on the foundation he developed at Bryant. “I’m grateful for Bryant’s MSBA program,” he says. “It challenged me, prepared me, and connected me with people who have truly impacted my journey.”