Professor CJ Wu, Ph.D. Spotlight
At Kent State, we like to highlight the work of our faculty, so we often put together spotlight articles. In this post, we interviewed Associate Professor CJ Wu, Ph.D., who teaches in the Master of Science in Business Analytics program to gain his insights on teaching, program initiatives, and student successes.
How do you focus on student engagement in an online learning environment?
To focus on student engagement in an online learning environment, I prioritize three key strategies.
First, I provide a clear and consistent course structure by organizing materials into weekly modules with a predictable format, making it easy for students to navigate. Second, I incorporate a variety of learning activities, including video lectures, readings, quizzes, and hands-on assignments, to cater to different learning styles and keep students actively involved. Third, I maintain active communication by posting regular announcements and reminders, and by responding promptly to student questions via email to ensure ongoing support.
What is your favorite teaching moment or most rewarding aspect of working with students?
One of the most rewarding aspects of working with students is watching the moment when a difficult concept clicks, and a student who was previously unsure suddenly feels confident and capable.
What is your teaching philosophy?
In online learning, clear expectations, consistent organization, and timely communication are essential. When students know what to expect, they are more likely to stay engaged and feel confident navigating the course.
Can you describe a recent project or research initiative you are excited about?
A recent project I’m excited about focuses on analyzing fake and deceptive job postings and their impact on firms. Using large-scale online job ad data, we apply natural language processing and machine learning to detect suspicious patterns in postings. The goal is to understand how the presence of fraudulent ads affects job seeker trust, application behavior, and, ultimately, the recruitment outcomes for legitimate employers.
What advice do you have for students pursuing careers in your discipline?
Focus on building a strong foundation in statistics, data analysis, and business context. Learn to communicate insights clearly, both verbally and in writing. Stay curious, keep learning, and get hands-on experience with real-world data whenever you can.
Why should students pursue their online graduate degree at Kent State?
Kent State’s MSBA program combines academic rigor with real-world relevance, delivered in a flexible, accessible format designed for working professionals. You will learn from experienced faculty who are active in research and the industry, and engage with a diverse community of peers.
Earn Your MSBA at Kent State
The M.S. in Business Analytics from Kent State can help prepare you for a rewarding career in a thriving field. Visit our program page or reach out to our team to ask us any questions.