Launch of DAIS Department

We are excited to announce the launch of a new Data Analytics Information Systems (DAIS) Department in the Huntsman School. Formerly known as Management & Information Systems, the DAIS department is focused on preparing students for analytics-oriented careers, particularly in the tech industry.

The department offers an enhanced Information Systems major with emphases in data engineering, web development and cyber security. A new Data Analytics major is in the final stages of approval, expected to be official for the coming academic year. New critical programming, database management and analytical courses better prepare students to make immediate impact in today’s job market.

Many of Huntsman’s best and brightest analytical students participate in USU’s student chapter of the Association for Information Systems (AIS), which has been internationally recognized for excellence for the last three years. AIS members participate in tech workshops and competitions and garner knowledge from professional speakers.

The department is also developing a new Analytics Solutions Center, which is partnering with companies on data science projects that have real and immediate impact for the business. The center is providing significant opportunities for students to apply knowledge from the classroom to real-world data projects. Students are working alongside faculty mentors and professionals, and the experience is preparing them to seamlessly transition from education to industry. Faculty and students are currently completing pilot projects with Invista (a Koch Industries company), Grandeur Peak, the Jain Family Institute, Western Governors University and Monumetric.

In addition to new academic programming and experiential learning opportunities, the DAIS department is recruiting amazing new faculty like Andy Brim, whose background in computer science and finance brings a new level of rigor to both teaching and research. Leading the new DAIS department is Dr. Chris Corcoran, who serves as Department Head and the David B. Haight Endowed Professor of Analytics. Dr. Corcoran is a graduate of Utah State University and Harvard University. Prior to his current position as head of the DAIS department, Dr. Corcoran was the head of Utah State University’s Department of Math and Statistics.