Master of Science in Business Analytics

Graduates of the program will be able to:

• Understand how analytics can improve managerial decision-making at all levels of an organization.
• Understand the three areas of data analytics: descriptive (data mining and data visualization), prescriptive (optimization and simulation), and predictive (forecasting and regression analysis).
• Gain practical experience using the popular analytics software tools and languages used in industry such as SAS Enterprise Miner, SAP, Tableau, R, Python, SQL and other technologies.
• Design creative data analytics solutions to complex business problems and effectively communicate the analysis and findings to leadership.

In addition to completing your USC Upstate Application, you'll need:

• Official transcripts showing all post-secondary course work attempted and the award of the baccalaureate or higher degree by an accredited college or university.
• Your official test scores of either the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or the GMAT or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) to USC Upstate Admissions.
• A personal statement of 1-2 pages regarding your academic background, career interests, and reason for pursuing this degree program.

• Admissions and Financial Aid for International Students
• I20 Form
• Declaration of Finances

Jerry Duan, CFA, FRM, CGA,CPA - Chair United Community Bank

Jerry Duan serves as vice president and director of treasury analytics with United Community Bank, one of the largest full-service financial institutions in the Southeast. Jerry has more than 12 years of experience in the banking industry. He is currently responsible for asset liability management, interest rate risk management, liquidity stress testing, capital stress testing, and fund transfer pricing for the company. Jerry's most recent degree is a Master of Science in Analytics from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Jerry also holds a master's degree in business administration, a master's degree in economics, and a bachelor's degree in economics. Jerry is Chartered Financial Analyst, Financial Risk Manager, Certified Professional Accountant, and Certified General Accountant (Canada). Jerry, his wife, and two kids live in the most beautiful Greenville. He likes skiing in the Canadian Rocky Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains. He likes cooking meals for his family. He likes trying new recipes. Sometimes he succeeds and sometimes he does not.

Stan Simmons American Credit Acceptance

Stan Simmons serves as the Vice President of Strategy and Analysis with American Credit Acceptance. His leadership skills include Six Sigma, Statistical Tools, Executive Management, Public Safety, Portfolio Management, Financial Modeling, Data Analysis, Forecasting, Financial Risk, Business Analysis, Vendor Management, Traffic Control, Finance, Process Improvement, Strategic Planning, Strategy, Financial Services, Management Consulting, Business Planning, Risk Analysis, Budgeting, Project Portfolio Management, Program Management, and Risk Management. Stan holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from University of South Carolina and an MBA in Marketing from the University of Cincinnati.

Kimberly Wilson Micheline North America

Kimberly Wilson serves as the O2C Quality and Progress Leader with Michelin North America headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina. She is a detail-oriented project manager with 25 years of experience in multi-million public, private, and non-profit organizations. Her background encompasses data analysis as it relates to profit and loss in operations to business process reengineering in customer service, accounting, human resources, IT, and other general business functions. Proven success as a project manager in manufacturing and transactional environments, utilizing Six Sigma Black Belt methodology to solve cross-functional business process issues. Kimberly holds a Master's Degree in Business Administration from Wake Forest University along with a Bachelor's degree in Language & International Trade, a Master's in Project Management from George Washington University and Six Sigma Black Belt certification from Breakthrough Management Group, Longmont, CO. She and her husband Rand have a son, Clay who is a rising junior at The Citadel and a daughter, Cathryn who is a rising sophomore at JL Mann High School. They enjoy attending Clemson sporting events, watching their son play baseball, and their daughter dance. Kimberly has participated in fundraising for the Greenville HS Booster Club; fundraising for ALS Association of South Carolina since 2011 and she was the Chapter Advisor for Alpha Chi Omega sorority (2003-2013) and currently serves as the Alumnae Relations Advisor.

Ashley Langley PricewaterhouseCoopers

Ashley Langley is the Audit Director at PwC & Digital Accelerator in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Experienced Director with a demonstrated history of working in the accounting industry. Skilled in External Audit, Accounting, Sarbanes-Oxley Act, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and Internal Controls. Strong professional with an Executive Education focused in Kellogg PwC Family Enterprise Advanced Education Program from Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management. Skilled in emerging technologies including data wrangling, data visualizations, robotic process automation, and agile product development.

Art Crider SCMEP

Art Crider serves as the Regional VP at SCMEP, Spartanburg, South Carolina with more than 30+ years of experience in engineering, plant, executive, and supply chain leadership plus 7 years of B2B sales, I bring a unique perspective to helping my clients find the best solutions for moving their companies forward. Coupling my experience with the resources of the South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (SCMEP), lets me help our clients by rapidly analyzing a business, and then collaborating with them, to produce executable strategic and tactical recommendations that will ultimately provide the improvements and advancement the client wants and needs. Specialties: | P&L Operations Leadership | Strategic Deployment and Planning | Operational Streamlining through Lean Deployment and Continuous Improvement | Supply Chain Development and Surveillance | Executive B2B Sales | Inventory Management and Control | Repositioning Leadership - Green and Brown Field Project Management both domestically and internationally | Manufacturing Operations Analysis | ISO Leadership and Lead Assessor - 9001 & 14001 | Six Sigma and Statistical Quality Leadership Direct Industry & Manufacturing Experience: Aerospace, Automotive, Precision Industrial Products and Machining, Powered Lawn & Garden, Builder's Hardware, Clean-Room Filtration and Equipment, Stamping, Precision Machining, Fabrication, Injection Molding, Complex Assembly, Painting, and Plating.

Elizabeth Feather Upstate Alliance

Elizabeth Feather serves as Director of Research & Strategic Initiatives for the Upstate SC Alliance. She is responsible for directing and executing the research efforts for the Upstate SC Alliance team and positioning the organization as the go-to resource for information, which includes compiling data and reports for prospects and investors, as well as working with industry partners to provide the most up to date information about the Upstate. Feather is also an integral part of the Upstate's participation with the Global Cities Exchange, a joint partnership of the Brookings Institution and JPMorgan Chase. Feather joined the Upstate SC Alliance in 2011 after 11 years with GSA Business Report. Feather graduated from the Honors College at the College of Charleston with a BA in English, a BA in French, and a minor in Arts Administration.

Dana Wood Upstate Workforce

Ms. Dana Wood has been employed with the Upstate Workforce (Upstate WB) for the past 13 years. Her original position was Business Services Coordinator for a Regional Partnership office funded by both Greenville Workforce Board and the Upstate Workforce Board. After successfully establishing the Greer office, Ms. Wood transitioned to the Spartanburg office of the Upstate WB. She worked closely with the OneStop System as Process Improvement Manager. During that time, she managed the RFP process for OneStop Services and assisted with the transition from an in house program to a private provider. Ms. Wood now serves as the Associate Director. She works very closely with the Executive Director to support the mission of the board, Advancing the Future of Business and Community. Prior to working with the Upstate WB, Ms. Wood was employed by the Spartanburg Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission. Ms. Wood holds an Associate Degree in Public Service and is a current student at Converse College working to complete her degree in Business Administration.