The University of Arkansas' Data Science program has named Manuel D. Rossetti to be the program's inaugural director.

He brings more than two decades of teaching and research experience to the role.

The undergraduate data science program is the first of its kind at the University of Arkansas, providing students the chance to take courses from faculty in three colleges as they complete the curriculum.

Students will have the opportunity to take courses from the College of Engineering, the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences and the Sam M. Walton College of Business. Students will take a common set of introductory courses to build the foundations of a data science education and will choose one of 10 specialty concentrations during their junior year. More details are available at datascience.uark.edu.

Rossetti is a university professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering. As director, he will provide senior leadership to the data science program, working with the Deans of the College of Engineering, Sam M. Walton College of Business, and the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences to maintain the program's unique interdisciplinary nature and high-quality educational experience.

He said the role was an exciting opportunity to provide a one-of-a-kind experience for students, faculty and industry partners across Arkansas.

"I look forward to serving the talented data science faculty on campus as they develop a cutting edge and unique undergraduate experience for data science students," he said. "Our collaboration between three colleges, driven by strong interaction with state-wide leaders in industry and government, who see data science as an integral part of Arkansas' future, is truly exciting."

Karl D. Schubert has been named associate director for the program. Schubert is a professor of practice, having joined the University of Arkansas after a corporate career including c-suite leadership roles at global organizations.

He will work alongside Rossetti to provide leadership to the data science program, working with students, faculty, industry and government to ensure the program's outcomes are met. Schubert will also work to ensure the curriculum evolves to meet the changing needs of industry while also providing a high-quality educational experience for the student to prepare them to be knowledgeable, experienced and to have rewarding and productive careers.

Schubert said the program will fill a need in Arkansas' economy.

"I look forward to working with our students in this exciting, new and needed data science program and collaborating with our faculty, staff, and industry to provide real-world, real-data experiences in class, in internships, and in collaborations with industry for our students, for Northwest Arkansas, for the state of Arkansas, and beyond," he said. "We have a uniquely qualified, multi-college and interdisciplinary team with industry and government partners collaborating to make this happen. I am excited and thrilled to be a part of this Data Science program."

Prior to his appointment at the university, Schubert held senior-level corporate roles that include CIO, CTO, Global SVP of Engineering and Development, and general manager. He has strong experience in interdisciplinary innovation and technology, data science and lifecycle management, operations and global business, through working in companies that include IBM, Dell, Lifetouch, midrange companies and start-ups, and his own company, TechNova Consulting LLC.