Business professor gains international recognition

Vijayan Sugumaran, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of Management Information Systems and Chair, Department of Decision and Information Sciences, from Oakland University's School of Business, has been named a recipient of the prestigious 2025 SAS Educator Award.

Presented by global data and AI leader SAS, this award recognizes educators worldwide who demonstrate outstanding leadership in advancing data and AI education.

Dr. Sugumaran was selected for his exceptional dedication to preparing students for careers in analytics and for his leadership in integrating SAS software into academic programs at Oakland University. He oversees the SAS-Oakland University Academic Specialization and under his guidance, a team of Oakland University students achieved back-to-back victories in the global SAS Hackathon. In addition to his teaching and program leadership, Dr. Sugumaran is a prolific researcher, having published over 350 peer-reviewed articles in the fields of data science, information systems, and analytics.

“Receiving this award is a tremendous honor,” said Dr. Sugumaran. “At Oakland University, we are committed to ensuring our students gain the skills and hands-on experience necessary to succeed in the evolving fields of data science and AI. This recognition is a testament to the hard work of our students and the support of our academic community.”

The SAS Educator Award celebrates educators who bring innovative software tools into the classroom and inspire the next generation of data-driven professionals. Dr. Sugumaran’s leadership has not only elevated Oakland University’s data analytics curriculum but also built strong partnerships with industry leaders to provide students with real-world experience.

He currently serves on SAS’s Faculty Advisory Board — an invitation-only group of academic leaders focused on strengthening education-industry partnerships and shaping the future of data and AI education. As a board member, he collaborates with SAS leadership, shares teaching strategies, and provides input on academic resources and future product development.

“I firmly believe that fostering data literacy and analytical thinking is essential for future business leaders,” Dr. Sugumaran added. “It is rewarding to be recognized on a global stage.”

Dr. Sugumaran will be honored at the SAS Innovate conference in Orlando this May.