Welcome back Daniel O'Leary-Qlik Educator Ambassador for 2025!

[BrittanyFournier]

Daniel O’Leary continues to teach at the University of Southern California (USC), serving both the Marshall School of Business and the Leventhal School of Accounting. Additionally, he periodically teaches a course on information systems, data, and analytics in the International Executive Management in Finance and Controllership (IEMFC) program at UMIO, Maastricht University.

[BrittanyFournier]

Innovations in Course Structure 
Daniel has integrated Business Intelligence tools more extensively into his curriculum. He has shifted his focus on Qlik to his master’s degree class, Advanced Enterprise Systems, effectively doubling the number of students gaining hands-on experience with this software.

A significant enhancement to his teaching methodology is the introduction of a group-based term project. Student teams analyze “Open Data” of their choice using Qlik, Power BI, and Tableau. They then create reports showcasing their findings and visualizations, culminating in a class presentation. This hands-on approach strengthens their data analytics capabilities and practical application skills.

Career Outcomes for Students

Daniel proudly notes that at least one of his students secured a job specifically due to their Qlik expertise. This highlights the growing demand for BI tool proficiency in today’s job market.

Future Classroom Goals

Looking ahead to 2025, Daniel plans to develop an in-depth case study on the use of analytics in real-world applications. Potential topics include the utilization of Qlik by the United Nations or its role as an audit platform. He aims to conduct interviews with industry professionals to provide a deeper understanding of these use cases.

As analytics education evolves, Daniel foresees an increasing integration of analytics within multiple courses, rather than treating it as a standalone subject. He dedicates a third of his Advanced Enterprise Systems course to data and analytics, a trend he expects to expand across disciplines.

Professional Achievements 

Daniel was recently named the Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting and received a courtesy appointment as Professor of Data Sciences and Operations, further cementing his influence in the field of analytics and education.

Reapplying for the Qlik Educator Ambassador Program 

Daniel reapplied to the Qlik Educator Ambassador Program, citing the invaluable insights gained from expert-led lectures. These educator sessions not only enhance his understanding of Qlik but also provide broader analytics insights that he incorporates into his classroom discussions.

Professional Recognition and Benefits 

His participation in the program has also bolstered his professional reputation. Announcing his involvement on LinkedIn sparked engagement from industry peers, further solidifying his standing in the data and analytics community.

Survey Results: Student Preferences in BI Tools 

In a survey conducted in his Advanced Enterprise Systems course, O’Leary asked students to rank their preferred BI tools after completing assignments in Power BI, Qlik, and Tableau. The results were as follows:

• Qlik: 26 votes
• Tableau: 18 votes
• Power BI: 10 votes

These findings suggest that students find Qlik particularly effective, reinforcing its value as an essential tool in analytics education.

Daniel O’Leary continues to lead the charge in analytics education, constantly refining his teaching approach to align with industry trends. Whether through hands-on projects, AI integration, or professional collaborations, he remains dedicated to equipping students with the tools they need for success in the evolving world of data analytics.