SMITHFIELD, RI – Provost and Chief Academic Officer Glenn Sulmasy announces the appointment of former Epsilon Chief Analytics Officer John Young as Executive in Residence for Bryant’s new Data Science program, effective January, 2018. Young will work with Information Systems and Analytics Professors Suhong Li (department chair), Richard Glass (Data Science program coordinator), and Alan Olinsky to develop and grow the data science program and build strategic corporate partnerships.
"John Young brings his impressive industry expertise and perspective to Bryant at the perfect time."
“Given the excitement surrounding our new Bachelor of Science in Data Science program and the surge in marketplace demand for skilled analysts, John Young brings his impressive industry expertise and perspective to Bryant at the perfect time,” says Sulmasy. “With the strength of our program that integrates business acumen with data science expertise, our dedicated faculty, world-class curriculum, and growing culture of innovation, we are well on the way to making Bryant’s Data Science program one of the most distinctive within higher education.”
Young comes to Bryant from Epsilon, a $2.3 billion global marketing services firm, where he worked for more than 22 years, most recently as Chief Analytics Officer in the firm’s Analytic Consulting Group. Young and his former team of 150 programmers, analysts, statisticians, and consultants helped Fortune 500 brands like Bank of America, Hilton, and FedEx to improve performance and customer experiences through measurement, analysis, and optimization.
Bryant's investment in Data Science and future growth
“Bryant’s investment in the Data Science program is reflective of the University’s continuing commitment to academic innovation and excellence,” says College of Business Dean Madan Annavarjula. “John Young brings critical industry insight and a forward-thinking approach that will contribute to the growth and success of the program. We look forward to welcoming him to our community of scholars.”
With Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Economics from Colorado State University, Young began his career as an economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, tracking and forecasting economic conditions. He served in other analytically-oriented roles at the American Institute of CPAs, Citizens Bank, and Digitas before moving to Epsilon in 1994. Young has published in prestigious industry publications including Applied Marketing Analytics where he authored “Building a Successful Marketing Analytics Organisation” in August 2017.
Training the next generation of data scientists
“I’m excited to move into this unique role at Bryant,” says Young. “Helping to train the next generation of data scientists is very appealing and a great way to continue to contribute to a field that is increasingly important to the global economy. There’s a huge gap in supply and demand for qualified analysts and data scientists, and Bryant is taking steps to help address this marketplace need.”
“While it’s important to teach students the technical side of data analysis, it’s equally important that they learn to effectively synthesize, translate, and communicate results to ensure they are well understood and ultimately acted upon,” he adds. “Bryant recognizes and emphasizes this, and I look forward to helping to take the program to the next level.”
Data management and leadership skills
Professor Li notes that success in the data science field will require deep technical knowledge and skill in managing data, but also an understanding of how to lead in business. “Bryant’s program brings together the best of those two worlds, and John Young has done that for 22 years. We are fortunate to have him on our team,” she says.
“Young’s experience and success delivering significant return on investment for major global organizations will be a valuable asset as the Data Science program continues to grow,” adds Professor Glass.
Young first came to Bryant more than four years ago as a guest lecturer at the invitation of Marketing Professor Jane McKay Nesbitt. From there he met and began collaborating with Professors Glass and Olinski and became a regular guest lecturer. He was impressed by what he saw in the program and its students, and this planted the seed for his eventual move to Bryant. Young resides in Foxboro, MA, with his family. His son is a junior at Bryant University.
Bryant University in Smithfield, R.I., is a leading private university offering an innovative and uniquely integrated business and liberal arts education. The University's 3,700 undergraduate and postgraduate students study in an innovative and immersive learning environment that fosters success and high achievement. Founded in 1863, Bryant is recognized as a leader in international education and regularly receives top rankings from U.S. News & World Report, College Factual/U.S.A. Today, Bloomberg Businessweek, Forbes, and Barron’s. Visit www.bryant.edu.
