Professor spotlight: Dr. Ramesh Sharda - vice dean and newest Fulbright Scholar
Monday, February 21, 2022
Media Contact: Bailey Stacy | Communications Coordinator, Marketing & Communications | 405-744-2700 | bailey.stacy@okstate.edu
Have you ever thought about furthering your education past a bachelor’s degree? If so, is your goal to get into medical school? Law school? Or are you like me, and your goal is to get a master’s degree in a field of business? Here at Spears, we have seven masters’ programs and nine doctoral programs. Click the link here to find out more information about our grad programs!
The seven masters’ programs consist of a master’s in accounting, business administration, business analytics and data science, economics, hospitality and tourism management, management information systems, and quantitative finance. Three of which are offered online, MIS, BAnDS, and MBA. Just this year, our BAnDS program has been ranked 10th for business analytics and 11th for data science, our online MBA program ranked 28th, and our accounting program was ranked No. 41 in the Big Four accounting firms’ ranking. Here is the link to see the rest of Spears Business rankings and recognitions for each degree program.
Each of these programs have their own directors. However, there is one person that oversees all of our graduate level programs and that is vice dean of grad programs and research and Regents professor of MSIS, Dr. Ramesh Sharda. Dr. Sharda received his bachelor’s degree in agricultural engineering from the University of Udaipur in India, a master’s degree in agricultural engineering from Ohio State University, his MBA and Ph.D. in business-quantitative analytics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has been with Oklahoma State since 1980 where he started as an assistant professor.
Dr. Sharda has also made Oklahoma State history by being the second faculty member ever to be selected for the 2022-2023 Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program in Finland.
Aside from Dr. Sharda’s business professional accomplishments, here is his business casual side when we asked about his life outside of Spears.
If you weren’t in your current profession, what would you do?
I love traveling and driving. Thus, outside of managerial positions, I would probably
be a good truck driver.
What is your favorite decade and why?
Showing my age, but I think the 1970s was my favorite decade. Besides being in college,
I enjoyed the music, movies, etc., from around the world in that decade. And I always
like the present, new technologies, new opportunities and new challenges!
If you do research, what areas do you focus on?
IT support for decision making - analytics/data science.
How can students succeed in your class?
By learning to learn technology on their own. I talk about technology, but really
do not like to teach how to use specific software, etc.
What makes you the most motivated?
It may sound trite, but it is true, being able to make a difference in a student’s
life by helping them succeed. I derive much vicarious pleasure in every one of my
graduates’ achievements.
Biggest pet peeve?
People driving slower and hogging the left lane.
How long have you lived in Stillwater?
Too long, almost 40 years!
Do you have a favorite recipe/meal to cook? If so, what is it?
I can make a pretty good multi-bean soup (vegetarian).
What is your favorite breakfast place?
None, too early in the morning is not for me.
Are you more of an introvert or extrovert?
Introvert.
Story By: Alexis Hightower | alexis.hightower@okstate.edu