Major in Data Analytics
Interpret data and make predictions • Help businesses make decisions • Graduate industry-ready
John Brown University
2000 W. University St.,
Siloam Springs, AR 72761
479-524-9500
jbuinfo@jbu.edu
What are you looking for?
Interpret data and make predictions • Help businesses make decisions • Graduate industry-ready
The top companies in the world use data to make decisions every day. In JBU’s data analytics program, you’ll learn the skills to research, analyze and present information to impact those decisions.
Start your applicationAt JBU, you acquire the technical skills you need to be an effective analyst. You'll learn business decision modeling, data visualization, and market analysis, among other top skills.
Employers look for graduates who not only have technical knowledge but have learned to collaborate with others, communicate effectively and discover innovative solutions for problems.
Graduate Management Admission Council research says that analytics students are the most in-demand of all business graduates, and 70% of employers surveyed plan to hire more analytics graduates over the next year.
The data analytics program features professors with corporate and industry experience, state-of-the-art data analysis software and simulations, and thought-provoking coursework to challenge each student.
The most valuable lesson that I have learned in data analytics is to be inquisitive. Data analytics has so many aspects to it, and the analytics faculty do a great job of giving a well-rounded education on all of those aspects. Since new studies and methods are coming out, there is always more to learn. The best part about this is how the faculty at JBU are always happy to answer questions and advance your learning whether that is in the classroom, during office hours, or over coffee.
Maddie Altman '22
Marketing & Data Analytics
You'll learn how to analyze data with R, the software used by companies to make decisions every day.
Major companies in Northwest Arkansas like Walmart, DaySpring, JB Hunt and Simmons Foods continue to add data analytics positions. JBU graduates are highly-respected and sought after by these companies.
Through our 4+1 Accelerated Master's Program, you can graduate with a bachelor's and a master’s in just five years.
Dr. Joe Walenciak holds a Ph.D. in Strategic Management from the University of Arkansas and has been a member of the business faculty at John Brown University since 1982. During that time, he has taught business classes in the undergraduate, online and graduate programs. He has also chaired the undergraduate, graduate and online business programs.
While at JBU, Dr. Walenciak has developed and led mission trips and studies programs in Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras, Jordan, China, Brazil, and several other countries. He has received recognitions as SIFE USA Sam Walton Fellow of the Year, SIFE USA Hall of Fame, CBFA Richard C. Chewing Award, Teacher of the Year, and Outstanding Alumnus. He has also been named Ambassador of the Peace of Guatemala by the Guatemalan Government on two separate occasions.
With interests in community development and business accreditation, Dr. Walenciak has held national leadership roles with the Christian Business Faculty Association and with the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.
Distinguished Professor of Business
Dr. Linda Vytlacil, former Vice President for Data Science/Global Data & Analytics Platforms for Walmart Labs, is a recognized people leader and commercial manager with extensive experience in building teams and creating analytics capabilities to harness profitably the power of big data analytics. With business development experience and P&L responsibilities in global consulting services, Dr. Vytlacil is a successful and award-winning team leader who is skilled at identifying and developing talent. She brings numerous skills to the classroom including technical credentials in advanced analytics across customer domains such as strategy, loyalty, digital marketing, pricing strategy, retail, product innovation, market research, econometrics, demand forecasting and performance measurement.
Professor of Data Analytics
Dr. Ryan Ladner moved to Northwest Arkansas in 2015 to teach at JBU and lead the undergraduate department in the College of Business. In 2017, he transitioned from the department head for undergraduate studies to the department head for the Graduate Business Programs. He has a B.S.B.A., in Personal Financial Planning from The University of Southern Mississippi, an M.B.A., from Mississippi College, an M.A., in Theological Studies from Liberty University, and a D.B.A., in Marketing from George Fox University.
Before his role at JBU, Dr. Ladner was a District Sales Leader in the Frito-Lay division of PepsiCo North America. After leaving PepsiCo, he served in various roles in higher education including Director of Enrollment and Assistant Professor of Business at Bryan College and Assistant Professor of Marketing at Palm Beach Atlantic University.
Dr. Ladner teaches courses in strategy and marketing at the undergraduate and graduate levels and he conducts research as well as presents in the areas of active learning, college choice theory, team-based learning, and digital marketing. He also earned the online marketing certified associate designation and serves as the Director of Marketing for the Christian Business Faculty Association.
Dr. Ladner enjoys working out, playing sports and competing in intramurals. He is married and has two children – one boy and one girl. He and his family reside in Siloam Springs.
Vice President for Enrollment Management, Professor of Marketing
Equip yourself for a successful career and a life of purpose.
John Brown University
2000 W. University St., Siloam Springs, AR 72761
479-524-9500 jbuinfo@jbu.edu
JBU does not unlawfully discriminate based on race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, military status, or age in the administration of its educational policies, admissions, financial aid, employment, educational programs, or activities.
John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top-ranked university (The Wall Street Journal) and top-ranked regional university (U.S. News), JBU enrolls more than 2,200 students from 37 states and 42 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers more than 50 undergraduate majors, with top programs including nursing, psychology, construction management, graphic design, family and human services, and engineering. Eighteen graduate degrees are available in business, counseling, cybersecurity, and education.