Center for Business Analytics and Community Research

About CBACR

The Center for Business Analytics and Community Research is a community resource and a “force for good” at the Johnson College of Business & Economics (JCBE) that contributes to the economic success and well-being of the community, region, and state. The Center focuses on knowledge dissemination, workforce training, community research, and data analytics to enhance decision-making at all levels for businesses, nonprofits, foundations, and government agencies.

The Center serves as an established multidisciplinary resource that delivers community solutions and high-impact student learning experiences.

The Center aligns with the five principles articulated by the Association for the Advancement of Colleges and Schools of Business, the prestigious accrediting body for business schools, to create positive societal impact.

  • Connect business, community, and government to deliver results
  • Solve problems based on knowledge-sharing and research
  • Develop purpose-driven leaders with the vision to tackle the toughest challenges
  • Create hubs for lifelong learning to promote prosperity and elevate economies
  • Inspire innovations with the power to change the world
The Center delivers distinctive services, a sample of which are listed below:
  • Business Analytics Solutions and Training:
    • Data-Driven Strategic Planning
    • Digital Strategy and Implementation
    • Data Collection, Cleaning, and Preparation
    • Data Analysis: Descriptive, Predictive, and Prescriptive
    • Data Visualization
    • Communicating Data Impact to Diverse Audiences
  • Applied Projects
    • Economic Impact Studies
    • Community Indicators Projects
    • Policy Whitepapers
    • Nonprofit Data Analysis
    • Survey and Focus Group Research

THE DIRECTOR

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Sam Cooper
Director of Strategic Initiatives and Special Projects for the JCBE; Director of the CAECR 
864-503-5854

Dr. Sam Cooper is a graduate of the University of South Carolina Upstate. He earned his Master of Arts and Ph.D. degrees in Economics from the University of South Carolina and has served in both faculty and administrative roles at other universities. Cooper has been published more than 40 times, including peer-reviewed articles, a book chapter, book reviews, and op/ed pieces. His research interests include public economics and the economics of education.

For questions about the center and to request services, please contact Sam Cooper at scooper7@uscupstate.edu.