PC Business Welcomes Marianne Doran-Collins ’85 as Inaugural Director of Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence
Members of the Benjamin Family Social Media Fellowship had the wonderful opportunity to sit down with Marianne Doran-Collins ’85 and learn about her exciting new role as the inaugural director of data analytics and artificial intelligence at the Providence College School of Business. She shared valuable insight into her experience, perspective and plans for the upcoming school year.
When Doran-Collins attended a symposium on campus in 2024, she felt that it was her calling to be able to give back to the Providence College community. She believes that her time as a Providence student built an excellent foundation for her, teaching her how to be a well-rounded person who values curiosity and is concerned about society as a whole. She believes in the school and the unique essence of its community.
Doran-Collins previously held leadership positions at Johnson & Wales University, Sensata Technologies, and most recently Forrester. As director of data analytics and artificial intelligence, she will be responsible for driving and implementing an AI strategy for the business school. She will also be overseeing and teaching the Data Analytics in Business course for business majors, helping to ensure that PC Business students are equipped with the skills they need to survive in a world where artificial intelligence is becoming essential to business practices. Some of these skills she plans to emphasize include software such as Tableau and Microsoft Excel, as well as understanding artificial intelligence from a holistic and ethical perspective. She plans to help students apply these skills through projects, immersive learning experiences, and workshops with fun events such as the celebration of ChatGPT’s third birthday.
Doran-Collins understands the ways in which artificial intelligence is currently affecting the professional business world. She shared that she believes AI needs to be constructed based on business outcomes, zeroing in on the specific and individual needs of each business by leveraging the critical thinking skills of employees. She also believes that there needs to be consideration for ethical problems and a priority in driving value to business for it to be used effectively.
