Jie Tao, DSc, Recognized as Fairfield’s Graduate Teacher of the Year by Alpha Sigma Nu

Dr. Tao has made his mark both inside and outside of the classroom, helping students find what it is they are most passionate about in the field of analytics.

The annual Fairfield University Alpha Sigma Nu chapter's Teacher of the Year awards celebrate two faculty members annually, one undergraduate and one graduate, for their dedication to the teaching profession and for their support for students. Nominations are made by students only and are based on scholarship, loyalty, and service: the three pillars of the Alpha Sigma Nu Jesuit honor society.

This year Fairfield Dolan’s associate professor of information systems and operations management Jie Tao, DSc, was named this year’s graduate teacher of the year. In one student’s nomination for Dr. Tao, they said, “Dr. Tao has shaped me to who I am in terms of how to think like a data analyst and how to code. From taking 'Intro to Python' to 'Deep Learning' he has been my biggest supporter.”

Dr. Tao, who was selected to be the grand marshall at this year’s graduate commencement celebration, began his career at Fairfield seven years ago.

“I now fully understand the impact of a Jesuit education because I believe I was voted more for what I do for my students outside of the classroom than inside the classroom,” said Dr. Tao. “The lessons are important, but it is the talks I have had with students about job interviews, or the advice I’ve given graduates who are now in PhD programs, that I think have made the most impact. I am thrilled to be recognized.”

Dr. Tao has been instrumental in developing the curriculum for Fairfield Dolan’s fully online, nationally ranked and globally recognized MS Business Analytics (MSBA) program. He has published papers in several journals and presented research at premier academic conferences and specializes in the areas of data analytics, data structure, process mining, and deep learning. Dr. Tao frequently collaborates with his graduate students on research projects and strives to create connections for his students based on their areas of interest.

“Many of the online classes I teach are asynchronous, but I am constantly talking with my students on Slack and set up Slack channels based on their interests so we are always in touch and can share ideas and insights outside of class.”

Dr. Tao has also been active in establishing the Dolan School’s Analytics Alumni Advisory Board (AAAB) for the MSBA program. Members of the AAAB are recent graduates with two to five years of work experience who contribute feedback and insights for developing new MSBA curriculum.

“Analytics is a broad subject from the business side to the technical side,” said Dr. Tao. “I try and help my students make the connections that help them best understand what it is they want to do in their careers.”

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