SUU Analytics Teams Earn Top 3 Global Rankings in STR Forecaster Cup
Published: October 28, 2025 | Author: Southern Utah University | Read Time: 1 minutes
Southern Utah University's Hospitality and Business Analytics students have once again demonstrated their global competitiveness in the 2025 STR Hospitality Forecaster Cup, one of the premier international competitions in hotel performance forecasting. The students who participated are Kohner Wray, Jacy Lind, Kloe English, Chloe Han, Wyatt Esplin, and Jashelle Miller.
Out of 29 universities across 18 countries, representing 343 students and 90 teams, SUU achieved remarkable success -- ranking #1 university overall in the first round and securing an impressive 3rd place finish at the university level in the second round.
Two SUU teams placed among the top three worldwide in the first round, reflecting the students' exceptional analytical skills, teamwork, and industry insight.
"This recognition is a testament to our students' dedication and growing expertise in hospitality analytics," said Dr. Sijun Liu, Assistant Professor of Hospitality Management. "We are incredibly proud of their performance on the global stage and grateful for the continued support from our faculty, STR, and the Dixie L. Leavitt School of Business."
Dr. Sijun Liu, the hospitality professor co-advised the competing teams alongside Dr. Shankar Parajulee, the business analytics professor, guiding students through rigorous rounds of forecasting, market analysis, and data-driven decision-making -- all key components of modern hospitality management education.
Organized by STR (Smith Travel Research), the Forecaster Cup challenges students worldwide to apply real-world hotel data and forecasting models to evaluate market trends and predict future performance.
SUU's outstanding placement underscores the university's growing reputation in hospitality analytics education and its commitment to experiential learning and global engagement.
About Southern Utah University's Hospitality Programs
SUU's Hotel, Resort, and Hospitality Management programs integrate data-driven learning with hands-on industry experiences, preparing students for leadership roles in the evolving hospitality landscape.
Tags: Student CurStu FacStaff School of Business Business Analytics Academic
Contact Information:
Brooke Heath
435-586-5400
brookeheath1@suu.edu