Creighton data science codes an inventory tracking tool for local nonprofit
Through the Data Science Senior Capstone course (DSC 599), students partnered with The Furniture Project, a local nonprofit that provides donated furniture to immigrant families, those transitioning into stable housing and other vulnerable populations. The collaboration was a perfect fit, merging together innovation, mentorship and insight to address operational challenges through applied technology.
The capstone project was led by Steven Fernandes, PhD, assistant professor of computer science, who integrated academic service learning into the course after being introduced to community partnership opportunities through Creighton’s network. He saw The Furniture Project as an ideal partner for applied data science with immediate, local impact.
Applying data science to serve the community
After learning about the opportunity in class, senior Danielle Carrol felt immediately drawn to The Furniture Project’s mission because it carried a personal meaning.
“As an immigrant myself, I know firsthand how impactful nonprofits can be,” Carrol says. “When my family first arrived in the U.S., another nonprofit helped us furnish our home, and I still remember how meaningful that was. I wanted to contribute in a way that would help The Furniture Project reach even more families.”
Carrol focused on developing a system to streamline logistics, including route scheduling and a dashboard to track deliveries and donor pickups. Translating real-world logistics into usable technical solutions became a central learning experience.
“It wasn’t just about writing code,” Carrol recalls. “It was about making sure the system worked in a way that truly supported the nonprofit’s day-to-day operations.”
Carrol felt the responsibility of this technology and how it could help make a tangible difference in people’s lives. “Knowing that our work could save time and allow The Furniture Project to serve more families motivated me to deliver something meaningful.”
For Fernandes, that was exactly the point of this project. “The technical choices students make have real social impact, and this project helps them recognize that responsibility,” he says. “It helps them learn to build applications with empathy."
Turning classroom learning into real-world solutions
The Furniture Project, a small and growing organization, welcomed the partnership as demand for its services continues to increase.
“As a relatively young nonprofit organization, we have developed many processes that require manual entry or tracking, which have started to take a toll as we see higher demand for our services,” Tinca Joyner, community relations coordinator for The Furniture Project, explains. “Danielle took the time to understand our current process and worked to create a system that automates many of those tasks.”
The dashboard Carrol developed allows staff to visualize daily operations, track key information and reduce the risk of human error.
“This system helps ensure that no one falls between the cracks,” Joyner says. “It allows our team to work more efficiently and spend more time where it really matters—providing services with even greater care for the families we serve.”
Strengthening nonprofit operations through partnership
Joyner said the partnership could have an impact on the organization’s ability to grow.
“This partnership with Creighton allows us to grow stronger as a small organization that does not have full departments to work on each of these tasks,” Joyner says. “We are able to create processes that allow us to continue to expand and Danielle’s work, with the support of Dr. Fernandes, directly impacts our ability to continue to serve our community.”
For Carrol, the experience affirmed her desire to continue using technology for social good.
“Applying what I’ve learned at Creighton to give back feels like coming full circle,” she says. “After graduation, I hope to continue working with nonprofits so I can keep using technology to make a difference.”
Creighton’s Bachelor of Science in Data Science blends rigorous coursework in mathematics, statistics and computing with hands-on learning—including collaborative, community-partner projects like this capstone—to prepare students to analyze insights from data across industries. The program offers opportunities to specialize in advanced computing or advanced mathematics and statistics and equips students with the technical, analytical and communication skills needed to pursue careers in data science, machine learning, analytics and more. Explore the program and how it prepares students to become ethical, impactful leaders in a data-driven world.
