Michael Rappa

Michael Rappa is the Goodnight Director of the Institute for Advanced Analytics and a Distinguished University Professor in the Department of Computer Science at NC State University. He joined NC State in 1998 after nine years at MIT Sloan School of Management and founded the nation's first Master of Science in Analytics program in 2007. His leadership has established the Institute as a national model for data science education.

Education includes:

• Ph.D. Business Administration, University of Minnesota (1987)
• B.A. Economics, Union College (1980)

Research focuses on interdisciplinary applications of analytics, particularly in:

• Data Sciences and Analytics: Developing novel methodologies for data-driven decision making
• Advanced Learning Technologies: Creating innovative educational frameworks for analytics training
• Information and Knowledge Management: Designing systems for organizational intelligence

Publications demonstrate applied research in public health surveillance, data visualization effectiveness, and computing business models, reflecting consistent focus on practical implementations of analytical techniques across diverse domains.

Awards and honors:

• IBM Faculty Award (2010)

Secured significant research funding including:

• $2.2M from NSA for Science of Security research (2013-2018)
• $8.3M from US Army Research Office for security analytics
• $534K NSF grant for privacy protection frameworks

Leads the Institute for Advanced Analytics where over 1,500 students have trained since 2007. The program emphasizes cohort-based learning, industry-sponsored practicums, and workforce readiness in data science.