Chapman University, located in Orange, California, has appointed Dr. Charu Sinha, an Indian American associate professor, as the inaugural Academic Director for its new Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) program. Her leadership marks a significant milestone in the university’s commitment to advancing data and analytics education.
Before accepting this new role, Dr. Sinha held positions as the Director of Continuous Improvement and Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Programs at Chapman’s Argyros College of Business and Economics. In these capacities, she was responsible for guiding the academic journey of over 1,800 undergraduate students, developing curricula, and championing student success initiatives.
Dr. Sinha brings with her a unique blend of academic and industry expertise. Her 10 years of professional experience at AT&T, where she served as a Distinguished Member of Technical Staff, have given her deep insight into the application of technology in business. At AT&T, she worked on groundbreaking projects related to voice, data, and VoIP services, overseeing new service development, business operations, and deployment strategies.
The MSBA program is designed with a STEM focus, integrating cutting-edge AI applications to prepare students for careers in analytics across various industries. According to Sinha, this program is uniquely positioned as one of the first of its kind launched in the post-ChatGPT era, offering students the chance to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the field of analytics.
The curriculum emphasizes a fusion of technical expertise and strategic decision-making, equipping graduates to lead in a data-driven global economy. Under Sinha’s direction, the program will nurture a collaborative, research-oriented environment where students develop both practical skills and theoretical knowledge.
Dr. Sinha’s academic interests include business analytics, statistics, operations management, and she teaches at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Her research focuses on stochastic modeling, operations optimization, and pedagogical innovation. Prior to Chapman, she also taught at the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University.
