CMU named 2025 Celonis Academic Center of Excellence for fifth consecutive year

For the fifth year in a row, Central Michigan University has been recognized as a Celonis Academic Center of Excellence in Process Mining—one of only 13 universities worldwide and just four in the United States to earn the distinction for 2025–26.

The recognition places CMU’s College of Business Administration among global leaders in the fast-growing field of process intelligence, reaffirming its reputation for innovation, applied learning, and industry partnership.

“This recognition means continued excellence,” said Vishal Shah, business information systems faculty member and director of CMU’s SAP University Program and Corporate Outreach. “We are doing something in this space that is of value to the community, to the industry, and to the company.”

Advancing process intelligence

Celonis, a global leader in process analytics, partners with more than 700 universities worldwide to support education and research in process mining—a technology often called the “X-ray for business.” By analyzing operational data, process mining helps organizations uncover inefficiencies, reduce waste, and drive better decisions.

“Companies are always looking to improve operations,” Shah said. “If you want to improve your chances of hiring, you have to have a mindset where you can help a company make their products and services more efficient.”

Growth and impact at CMU

Since its launch in 2021, CMU’s process mining initiative has evolved from offering basic certifications to embedding process intelligence concepts throughout the curriculum. Students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels engage in hands-on projects, case competitions, and research in collaboration with industry partners such as Dow.

These experiences have led students to publish papers at international conferences, earn certifications that boost hiring potential, and gain real-world consulting experience. CMU’s foundation in SAP enterprise systems continues to play a key role by providing the transactional data essential to process analysis.

The university also hosts the annual CMU x Celonis Process Mining Case Competition, now entering its fourth year, which draws student teams from across disciplines to solve business challenges using data-driven insights.

Shaping the future of business analytics

As process mining evolves through integration with artificial intelligence and large language models, CMU remains a recognized hub for innovation and applied learning.

“This program represents what CMU does best—combining technology, business, and problem-solving to prepare students for the world they’re entering,” Shah said.

The Celonis designation reinforces CMU’s mission as an opportunity university, equipping students with the data and decision-making skills that help them lead in a rapidly changing marketplace.