Our Team
Digital Operations—part of the Student Success division—comprises four purpose‑built departments, each headed by a manager who reports to Senior Manager Ricky and, ultimately, to the area director.
D365 and Automation: Designs and maintains Dynamics 365 environments, Power Automate workflows, and Power Pages portals that streamline processes for internal and external stakeholders.
Companion and Special Projects: Develops and supports the Companion ecosystem—Native App, PWA, and key features such as Jobs, Planning & Registration, Companion Assistant, and Service Requests—while delivering key ad‑hoc initiatives (e.g., Missionary Referral, Employer Portal, Official Transcript Evaluation).
AI: Builds data‑driven AI/ML solutions- Course Assistant, AI Grading, etc.- that aim to enhance and scale the experience and productivity of both students and employees across BYU‑Pathway.
Data: Converts operational data into interactive Power BI reports focused on Student Success, enabling leaders in Support, Mentoring, and other units to identify trends and act on insights.
Together, this ~30-member, multicultural team drives technology, insight, and automation that underpin BYU-Pathway’s global learner success.
Digital Ops Service Landscape
D365 & Automations Team: Service Overview
The Digital Operations D365 & Automations team enables the organization by delivering tailored business solutions, streamlined processes, and data-driven insights. We specialize in leveraging Microsoft Dynamics 365, the Power Platform, and automation technologies to help internal stakeholders work more efficiently and external partners engage seamlessly.
Our Core Service Offerings
Dynamics 365 Solutions: We design, build, and customize Dynamics 365 applications to meet the operational needs of our teams. From workflow management to stakeholder tracking, we ensure our solutions are aligned with business processes and optimized for usability.
Process Automation: We create and maintain Power Automate flows that reduce manual effort and improve reliability across core processes. These automations support a wide range of teams, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations and freeing staff to focus on higher-value work.
Analytics & Reporting: We develop targeted Power BI dashboards and reports for select teams, providing visibility into performance, trends, and operational insights when and where they’re needed.
External Collaboration Portals: We design and customize Power Pages for our external partners, creating secure and user-friendly portals that support collaboration and information sharing.
Core Competencies & Technologies
Platforms: Microsoft Dynamics 365, Power Platform (Power Automate, Power BI, Power Pages), Azure (for automation and integrations).
Languages & Frameworks: Power Fx, SQL, low-code/no-code development.
Processes: End-to-end project support including requirements gathering, stakeholder engagement, and iterative solution delivery.
Companion & Misc. Projects Team: Service Overview
The Companion & Misc. Projects team drives digital engagement and student success through innovative application development and tailored technology solutions. We are responsible for building and maintaining the Companion ecosystem, a suite of applications and tools that help students stay connected, informed, and empowered throughout their educational journey. Our work spans from mobile and web application development to custom-coded departmental projects that enhance operational efficiency and user experience.
Our Core Service Offerings
Companion Application Development (PWA & Native App): We design, build, and maintain both the Companion Progressive Web App (PWA) and the Companion native mobile applications (for iOS and Android built with Expo). These platforms enable students to access essential resources, receive timely notifications, and complete critical academic and administrative tasks with ease and reliability.
Missionary Referrals & Student Support Systems: We manage and enhance the Missionary Referrals system—ensuring missionaries can connect with students and their friends effectively. Our solutions streamline referral tracking, outreach coordination, and reporting, helping teams provide timely and personalized support to students.
Jobs in Companion: We maintain and evolve the Jobs feature within the Companion application, enabling students to discover, apply for, and manage employment opportunities that align with their goals. Our development efforts focus on usability, scalability, and integration with internal systems.
Custom Application Development: Beyond Companion, our team develops and supports a variety of custom-coded projects for the department—delivering purpose-built tools that meet unique business needs and extend the organization’s digital capabilities.
Core Competencies & Technologies
Platforms: Power Platform (Power Automate, Dataverse, Dynamics 365, Power Pages), Azure (Functions, Key Vault)
Languages & Frameworks: React Native with Expo, JavaScript, Python, HTML, CSS
Processes: Full-stack development with integrated DevOps practices, continuous integration and delivery, and collaborative stakeholder engagement to ensure reliable, scalable, and user-centered solutions.
AI Team: Service Overview
The Digital Operations AI & Data team empowers the organization by transforming data into actionable insights and intelligent applications. We provide end-to-end services, from foundational data engineering to the development of sophisticated AI and machine learning solutions.
Our Core Service Offerings
AI Application Development: We design, build, and deploy custom AI-powered applications to automate processes, enhance user experiences, and solve complex business challenges. We specialize in creating scalable solutions using Azure AI Foundry, Copilot Studios, and serverless architectures with Azure Functions.
Data Analytics & Business Intelligence (BI): Our team provides comprehensive BI solutions, creating and maintaining insightful Power BI reports and dashboards. We specialize in visualizing data from our custom AI tools and the native Companion application, providing clear visibility into operational performance and model outcomes.
Predictive Modeling & Machine Learning (ML): We develop and maintain predictive models to forecast trends, identify opportunities, and mitigate risks. Our expertise includes building and deploying robust ML solutions using modern platforms like Microsoft Fabric, Databricks, and Azure Machine Learning Studio.
Data Platform & Engineering: At the core of our services is a robust data platform engineered for both analytical and transactional workloads. We manage the entire data lifecycle, building and maintaining scalable data pipelines to ensure our AI and analytics solutions are fueled by high-quality, timely data.
Core Competencies & Technologies
Platforms: Azure (AI Foundry, Machine Learning, Data Resources), Microsoft Fabric, Databricks, Power Platform (Power BI, Copilot Studio)
Languages & Frameworks: Python
Processes: Full-service project support including stakeholder management and integrated DevOps for reliable and scalable deployments.
Data Team: Service Overview
The Digital Operations Data Analytics Team empowers the organization by transforming data into clear, actionable insights that drive informed decision-making. We ensure data accuracy, consistency, and accessibility across systems while helping teams interpret complex information through intuitive visualizations and reports. Our goal is to make data a trusted asset for everyone—from operational staff to leadership—especially in supporting Student Success initiatives.
Our Core Service Offerings
Data Quality & Management: We maintain and validate datasets across multiple systems to ensure that information is complete, accurate, and reliable. Our team proactively identifies and resolves data inconsistencies, ensuring a single source of truth for key metrics and reports.
Reporting & Visualization: We design and build Power BI dashboards that clearly communicate performance trends and insights. By using strong visual storytelling and data modeling practices, we make complex data easy to understand and actionable.
Data Modeling & Analysis: Using SQL, DAX, and occasionally Python, we develop analytical models that uncover patterns and relationships within the data. These models help teams evaluate performance, forecast outcomes, and identify opportunities for improvement.
Collaborative Support: We partner with departments across the organization to deliver custom analyses and reports tailored to their needs—especially in Student Success reporting, where timely and accurate data drives meaningful impact.
Core Competencies & Technologies
Platforms: Microsoft Power BI, SQL Server, Databricks, Dynamics 365 (data sources)
Languages & Tools: SQL, DAX, Power Query (M), Python
Processes: Data validation, modeling, visualization, and collaborative reporting for cross-functional initiatives
System & Operations Team: Service Overview
Our Core Service Offerings
Core Competencies & Technologies