Regis announces integrated business and information sciences college

Students will be able to stack certificates from business and computer science into one degree

Regis University integrated its Anderson College of Business and its College of Computer and Information Sciences into one college effective May 1. The Anderson College of Business and Computing will incorporate important elements of both disciplines to provide graduates with fluency and skills in both business and technology in addition to a deep grounding in the Jesuit tradition of service and ethics.  

In the new college, Regis students will be able to pursue degrees that combine business, computing and analytics.

The decision to unite the two colleges emerged as Regis undertook its recovery from a cyberattack carried out against the University last August. The attack and its aftermath clearly demonstrated the advantages of providing students with a strong foundation in both managing technology, computer science and cybersecurity along with a thorough understanding of how businesses operate and rely on data and information technology.

For example, artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way business is conducted and will for decades, said Shari Plantz-Masters, academic dean of the new, integrated college. “Blending the expertise in AI from Regis’ Data Science program with the business expertise in the business college uniquely positions Regis to address emerging workforce needs,” she said. 

The creation of a new college reflects what Plantz-Masters described as the guiding philosophy Regis adhered to when rebuilding after the cyberattack: “Don’t just get back to where you were before. Be better than you were before.” 

In addition to continuing to offer its current, successful programs, the new college will offer business programs integrating strategic technology deployment with innovative business education, and emphasize business acumen for those in the rapidly evolving computer science industry.  It will serve the needs of employers who seek workforce talent that can easily navigate the complexities of technology within the business environment and are smart consumers of informatics.  

“Blending the expertise in AI from Regis’ Data Science program with the business expertise in the business college uniquely positions Regis to address emerging workforce needs,” said Shari Plantz-Masters, academic dean of the new Anderson College of Business and Computing.

Curriculum in the new college will reflect the previous two college’s distinct expertise, and include computer and information sciences degrees in cybersecurity, computer information systems, information technology, data science, software engineering and health information management.

The Anderson College of Business and Computing also will continue to offer degrees in accounting, economics, finance, human resource management, marketing, organization leadership, project management and non-profit management. The new college will continue to provide the only Colorado-based, full-time accelerator for start-ups via its Magis Factory, which also sponsors the annual Innovation Challenge offering winners seed money and co-working space. 

“We are excited to explore adding technology applications to the Innovation Challenge, which will further align Regis with the business and tech community on the Front Range,” Plantz-Masters said. 

Established in 1877, Regis University is a premier, globally engaged institution of higher learning in the Jesuit Catholic tradition that prepares leaders to live productive lives of faith, meaning and service. One of 27 Jesuit universities in the nation, Regis has four campus locations in the Denver metro area and Colorado Springs and extensive online program offerings with more than 8,000 enrolled students. For more information, visit www.regis.edu.