“By leveraging data analytics through bipartite network graph optimization, I built a system for the university’s InclusiveU program that instantly and optimally matches Peer2Peer partners,” says Reh Balsara ’23.

With a new semester on the horizon, Syracuse University’s Peer2Peer program is preparing to welcome and pair a new group of InclusiveU students with peer partners. 

Peer2Peer, a signature program within InclusiveU, pairs students with intellectual and developmental disabilities with SU peer partners to foster friendships and inclusion through shared activities such as sports, student clubs, game nights and art groups. 

“Our program is all about creating meaningful social experiences both on and off campus,” said Sarah Feldman, Peer2Peer program coordinator and master’s student in literacy education. 

Feldman helps match InclusiveU students with peer partners and organizes activities across campus. “I was initially tasked with manually pairing more than 100 students based on variables such as overlapping availability and common interests,” Feldman said. 

That is where Whitman School graduate Rehan Balsara (Reh) stepped in. Using data science and optimization, Balsara developed a program that streamlined the process. 

“Reh is the kind of student you remember having in class for the rest of your teaching career,” said one of his faculty mentors, Professor Candace Jens. “He is incredibly high ability and a very hard worker, which meant he constantly pushed beyond the class’s materials and expectations. Even now, he is doing work at a postdoctoral level.” 

The problem Balsara tackled for Peer2Peer was no simple coding task. 

“It is particularly challenging because there is a limited number of both students and available mentors, with many possible characteristics to consider for each match,” Professor Candace Jens said. “Reh’s program analyzes hundreds of data points to score each potential pair and then evaluates thousands of permutations to derive the best possible matches. What was once a tedious hand-matching process can now be done in the blink of an eye.” 

Thanks to Reh’s work, the Peer2Peer program is now able to focus more on building relationships and less on logistics. What once took hours of manual effort can now be accomplished in moments, freeing up time and energy for deeper student engagement. 

“Applying data analytics to make an impact… fostering inclusion and a sense of community at my alma mater is a dream come true,” Reh says. “It’s projects like this that I find most rewarding. These are the kinds of projects that bring a smile to my face and remind me of why I love what I do.” 

As Syracuse University continues its mission to promote inclusion and innovation, stories like Reh’s show what’s possible when purpose and technology intersect. 

 “I’m appreciative of Reh’s continued willingness to apply his professional skills to support the Whitman and SU community. Reh’s work reflects the Whitman spirit of being positive engaged citizens by leveraging his analytics expertise to overcome important challenges for a valued partner on campus,” says Interim Dean Alex McKelvie.