CMU project management team earns recognition at THEProject

Central Michigan University graduate students Shivangi Vasudeva, Naina Rajan and Dheeraj Inuganti were recognized for their strong performance in THEProject – Collegiate Compeition, a project management competition held April 14 at the Grand Rapids Chamber in Grand Rapids, Mich. The challenge, presented by the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES), tasked teams with developing a plan for a statewide law enforcement training facility. 

The students combined knowledge from logistics, business analytics and information systems to create a solution grounded in project management best practices. Their proposal emphasized stakeholder alignment, scalability, and long-term feasibility. 

"Our goal was to create something meaningful that reflected both the challenge and its real-world impact," Vasudeva said. 

Collaboration across disciplines 

Vasudeva, an MBA student in logistics management, led the team's implementation strategy and facility planning. Rajan, pursuing an MBA with a focus on business analytics, guided the team's alignment with PMI standards. Inuganti, a student in the Master of Science in Information Systems program, contributed to the technology integration and data security planning. 

The team divided tasks based on strengths and worked together to refine their solution through weekly collaboration and mentor feedback. 

"We constantly reflected on stakeholder needs and feasibility," Rajan said. "It wasn't just about technical planning. We wanted our solution to be sustainable and relevant." 

Mentorship and reflection shaped the process 

The students received support from mentors Mike Callahan, senior partner at Callahan and Rose Consulting, and Nicole Vanbiesbrouck, certified Scrum Master, along with faculty advisor Kevin McCarron. Their guidance helped the team translate classroom theory into practical action. 

"Mike and Nicole reminded us to think like professionals solving a real problem, not just students completing an assignment," Rajan said. 

One defining moment came in the final round, when the team had to quickly incorporate last-minute feedback into their presentation. 

"That experience taught me how to stay steady under pressure and trust the process," Vasudeva said. 

Prepared for what's next 

The experience helped the students strengthen their skills in project leadership, communication and strategic thinking. It also reinforced their desire to pursue careers that create meaningful impact. 

"This reminded me of the value of structure and empathy working together," Rajan said. "It shaped how I see my future in strategy and service." 

Their second-place performance at THEProject reflected not only technical ability, but also a commitment to learning, teamwork and real-world problem solving.