An Elevator Ride with a Lifelong Learner

Associate Professor Sonali Hazarika (Bert W. Wasserman Department of Economics and Finance) was recently appointed as the Zicklin School’s interim associate dean of academic initiatives and innovation. She spoke to Zicklin News on an elevator ride to her new office in the Newman Vertical Campus.

“I grew up in New Delhi, in north India. I came to the United States in 1999 to pursue a PhD in finance at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and I started teaching at the Zicklin School in 2004, right after finishing my doctorate. I wanted to be here because, first of all, New York City is a global center for finance. I’m also a strong believer in public education—I got my doctorate from a public university, and Baruch and Zicklin are outstanding examples of institutions that combine academic excellence with accessibility. The school’s mission really resonated with me, and being located in the heart of Manhattan made it the perfect fit.

“My new position as associate dean of academic initiatives and innovation feels like the natural extension of what I’ve always valued: lifelong learning. In this position, I have the opportunity to continuously learn and grow by working with faculty across disciplines, exploring the latest developments in industry and research, and translating those insights into innovative academic programs and learning experiences for our students.

“I’m really excited about the new Bachelor of Science in Applied Data Science and Artificial Intelligence degree that we’re launching in the fall. Given how topical AI is, this is a great program for our students. It offers multiple concentrations that combine applied data science and AI with fields such as journalism, cybersecurity, psychology, public policy, and others, allowing students to apply these technologies across a wide range of disciplines.”

To learn more about the new Bachelor of Science in Applied Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (BS ADSAI), click here.

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