Operations Professional Building Data-Driven Teams and Systems at UIC
About
I’m Grant Hauskins — a data-driven professional and Information & Decision Sciences student at the University of Illinois Chicago (B.S. expected December 2026, GPA 3.8). I build operational excellence through analytics, structured leadership, and real-world execution.
Before UIC, I managed enterprise VMI programs at TestEquity, grew a key account from $900K to $1.2M, and helped launch a Costco warehouse from the ground up. At the YMCA, I lead a grant-funded workforce development program that has guided 60+ young adults to a 95% Red Cross certification rate. Every role has reinforced the same instinct: find the system, measure it, and make it better.
Academically, three semesters at UIC have sharpened that foundation. Business Programming (Java) and Database Technology (SQL) gave me the ability to build and query the systems behind real business decisions. Spreadsheet Analysis (Excel/VBA) and Operations Management strengthened my approach to process design and quantitative problem-solving. Global Marketing expanded my strategic thinking beyond domestic operations, and Entrepreneurship with AI deepened my understanding of how applied intelligence tools create business value. Each course has added a concrete layer to the operational and analytical toolkit I bring to every project and leadership role.
I graduated from Harold Washington College with High Honors in December 2024 (Associate in Arts, Business and Economics, GPA 3.65, Presidential Scholar). I also earned the Samuel Weingarten Excellence in English Writing Award — a recognition that reflects how seriously I take clear communication as a leadership skill.
Leading IDSSO
I co-founded and lead the Information and Decision Sciences Student Organization (IDSSO) because students deserve more than coursework — they deserve a clear path to becoming analytical leaders through real practice, honest feedback, and objective standards.
I built IDSSO from the ground up: no predecessor template, no inherited membership, no playbook. Today the organization has 45+ members, a seven-officer executive team, structured committees, and a consistent programming cadence of at least two meetings per month. I recruit, develop, and hold accountable every officer through weekly task tracking, direct coaching, and structured delegation.
This semester’s highlights include a sold-out Career Signals Certification Panel (45 attendees, three faculty/industry panelists), the IDSSO Daily Brief (a fully automated newsletter powered by Google Apps Script, Claude API integration, and RSS/Atom parsing), and IDS inFocus — our flagship cross-disciplinary AI-enabled competition launching April 25 with collaboration from AAIIB, BAO, and IEEE.
IDSSO operates on six core virtues: open-mindedness, informed perspective, constructive collaboration, continuous development, accountability, and social responsibility. Those principles guide everything from how we onboard members to how we plan events and allocate resources. The goal is a cross-disciplinary community where students collaborate on high-value experiences that advance them personally and professionally.
Experience Highlights
My resume tells the full story. Here are the outcomes that define my professional track record:
- YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago — Led four workforce development cohorts (60+ young adults) to a 95% certification rate; designed a data-driven marketing campaign that exceeded registration goals by 25%.
- TestEquity LLC — Managed VMI programs for six enterprise clients through COVID-era supply chain disruptions; grew key account revenue from $900K to $1.2M and expanded market penetration 15% through demand forecasting.
- Costco Wholesale — Executed go-to-market sales during a new warehouse launch, ranking as a top seller of membership and credit card sign-ups; improved inventory accuracy through systematic monitoring.
Interests & Personal Insight
Outside of work and school, I swim, ride my e-bike around Chicago, and spend more time reading than most people would expect. I study because I enjoy it, not just for the credential, but because every book and every course changes the way I see a problem. When I need to unwind, I’m usually playing strategy games like the Sid Meier’s Civilization series, Squad, or Deadlock. I appreciate the effort and attention to detail of artisans, whether in entertainment, food, or craftsmanship.
Let’s Connect
I’m actively pursuing internship and full-time opportunities in operations, analytics, and strategy for Summer and Fall 2026. I’m also open to collaboration on student initiatives, speaking, and cross-org partnerships.
Email: grant@hauskins.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/granthauskins
Resume: Download PDF