Eller MSBA Launches Program with Immersive All-Day Orientation in Chandler
This past August, the Eller College of Management welcomed its first cohort of Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) students in Chandler, Arizona. The program, ranked as the nation's No. 14 public graduate online business analytics program by U.S. News & World Report, kicked off with an immersive orientation day on Thursday, August 22.
The diverse cohort brings a wealth of experience and education to the program. Students hold undergraduate degrees in various fields, including Business Administration, Engineering, Computer Applications and Science, Journalism and Mass Communications, Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, Information Technology, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Applied Psychology, Finance, Economics, and Pharmacology. Several students also hold graduate degrees in Business, Economics, and Communications. The cohort's professional experience ranges from zero to 10 years, creating a rich learning environment.
"We are thrilled to welcome our inaugural cohort of MSBA students to the Chandler campus. This milestone represents the culmination of an unbelievable amount effort from our team involving meticulous program development, comprehensive course and workshop design, and dedicated support for students during their transition and upon their arrival in Chandler,” says Academic Director of the Eller MSBA, Gray Hunter. “The establishment of this new campus is a testament to the unwavering commitment of our faculty, staff, and administration within the Eller College of Management and the HSLopez School of Business Analytics.”
The orientation day was filled with activities as they welcomed the first cohort which included students from the U.S., India, and China. The day began with a welcome from the HSLopez School of Business Analytics team including Director and HSLopez Endowed Chair Yong Liu, Business Analytics Program Manager Michelle Piontek, and Hunter. The full-day orientation included:
- An overview of the City of Chandler by Economic Development officials
- A tour of the Chandler Public Library
- Welcomes from university leadership, including Interim Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Ron Marx, and Dean and Halle Chair in Leadership of the Eller College, Karthik Kannan
- Student introductions and icebreakers
- A panel discussion with current second-year MSBA students
- Career management essentials and networking practice with Tara Burke, the program’s new Director of Professional Development
- Presentations on university resources, including library services and international student support
The students then visited the University of Arizona main campus in Tucson, Arizona on Friday, August 23, where they were able to interact with the main campus cohort of MSBA students and other Eller specialty masters programs.
The STEM-designated MSBA program offers a cutting-edge curriculum covering topics such as machine learning, data visualization, generative AI, and business optimization. To prepare for the program, all students successfully completed at least six online units in Statistics, Python, and SQL.
As the leading research university in the American Southwest, the University of Arizona Eller MSBA program is poised to meet the growing demand for business analytics skills in the job market. With its interdisciplinary approach and world-renowned faculty from various domains, including Management Information Systems, Marketing, Economics, Accounting, and Finance, the program aims to equip students with the skills most sought after by companies today.
“The Chandler campus holds immense potential, and we are eager for our current and future students to leverage the opportunities it presents,” says Hunter. “This expansion enhances our educational offerings and strengthens our presence in the vibrant Chandler community. As we mark this significant achievement, we are reminded of the transformative power of education and the boundless possibilities that lie ahead.”