Shannon McKeen Recognized as a 2023 Leading Academic Data Leader

Shannon McKeen has been recognized as one of the Leading Academic Data Leaders of 2023 by Chief Data Officer Magazine. The accolade honors exceptional individuals at the forefront of data leadership in higher education.

CDO Magazine honorees were selected for their efforts in guiding their institutions toward a future shaped by innovative data strategies. McKeen is currently the Executive Director for the Center for Analytics Impact in the Wake Forest University School of Business, where he also holds the position of Professor of the Practice.

“Shannon has spearheaded efforts in the School of Business to enhance faculty and staff members’ comprehension of the present capabilities and limitations of AI tools. This includes exploring how these tools can effectively be integrated into the classroom and the potential impact of AI on higher education,” said Jeff Camm, Senior Associate Dean for Faculty. “He has also been instrumental in moving the Center’s mission forward. His recognition by CDO Magazine is well-deserved and a testament to his leadership and expertise regarding data strategies and experiential learning.”

“I’m genuinely honored to be recognized among such distinguished leaders in the field,” McKeen said. “Our commitment to educating our faculty and staff about the intricacies of generative AI tools, like ChatGPT, is crucial for integrating technology effectively into our curriculum. It’s not merely about knowing how to operate these tools, but fully understanding their potential impact and limitations. This deeper insight enables a more sophisticated, ethical, and impactful use of AI in education.”

The Center provides educational learning opportunities to Wake Forest students and faculty, as well as to the broader community through research, and executive and continuing education opportunities. In April, the Center held its third Conference on Analytics Impact, which examined the role analytics plays in driving sustainable outcomes across an enterprise. The 2024 conference will explore the impact of marketing analytics.

“The Center for Analytics Impact plays a pivotal role. It’s not only a hub for advancing analytics education but also a platform where we emphasize the importance of accurately framing problems and effectively communicating analytics results,” McKeen said. “Through the Center, we aim to equip our students and corporate partners with the skills to translate insights into meaningful business outcomes, fostering an environment where analytics and AI are not just about data processing, but about driving real change and leadership in the industry.”

McKeen’s research interests include assurance of learning in project-based experiential learning and structured problem solving and team science. He earned an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth.