YEREVAN, Armenia — The American University of Armenia (AUA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Sevag Agop (MSE ’17) as chair of the Master of Science in Management and Analytics (MSMA) program at the Manoogian Simone College of Business and Economics (CBE).
Dr. Agop has been teaching at AUA for more than two years as an assistant professor in CBE. An AUA alumnus, he earned his Master of Science in Economics at AUA and later received his Ph.D. in economics from the Catholic University of Milan.
He teaches several quantitative and economics courses across AUA’s BAB, MSE, and MSMA programs. His research focuses on economic modeling, both theoretical and applied, including microfounded macroeconomic models. Dr. Agop’s work includes consulting for government ministries on tax policy and collaborating with international organizations such as the United Nations Development Programme and the Belarusian Economic Research and Outreach Center.
Passionate about teaching, Dr. Agop is committed to equipping students with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in the field of economics. He received AUA’s Teaching Excellence Award in 2023.
We spoke with Dr. Agop about his new role and his vision for the MSMA program.
Stepping into the role of program chair of the MSMA program, what are your immediate priorities?
My immediate priorities focus on strengthening the Program’s impact on students’ academic and professional growth. I believe this can be achieved by ensuring that our curriculum remains competitive and at the forefront of the management and data analytics fields. The world of data evolves rapidly, and successful models cannot be taken for granted. We must constantly adapt and maintain close relationships with industry partners to ensure that our teaching is relevant and up to date.
We also need to remain open-minded when exploring emerging tools and trends. Just as importantly, I want to ensure that our classroom environment is healthy, supportive, and inspiring. I strongly believe learning should be a joyful experience — students must feel curious, energized, and motivated to pursue their goals.
What are your long-term goals for the Program, both academically and institutionally?
In the long term, I want the MSMA degree to be a game changer in the job market and for the program to be recognized as a benchmark in how organizations use data and analytics to make smarter decisions. The Program already has a solid foundation and a project-based learning model. I aim to enhance this by integrating more real-world industry challenges and encouraging student engagement in research. This will also allow greater flexibility and responsiveness to students’ interests.
I also envision the MSMA program as a transformative journey, not just a place to acquire technical skills. It should be a time when students cultivate their leadership potential and develop a sense of responsibility to contribute meaningfully to society and the country. One of our goals is to instill a strategic mindset — and I want our students to be ready to lead.
Institutionally, I want the Program to strengthen its ties with our alumni, who I see as a powerful asset. Their experiences — both positive and challenging — can help us improve the Program. Alumni can offer new perspectives, job and internship opportunities, and collaborative projects. In fact, two of our alumni are currently supervising capstone projects, which show great promise in both results and impact.
You have been teaching at AUA for several years now. What continues to inspire you in the classroom?
Inspiring students — and being inspired by them — motivates me to give my best. Teaching isn’t just about transferring knowledge; it’s about training minds to ask how and why. Each cohort brings its own energy, and I look forward to that every semester.
I love seeing those moments when something clicks, when students challenge ideas, or when they dive into new perspectives. Those moments help me grow as an educator. It’s especially rewarding when students tell me that a subject I taught influenced their academic direction. It reminds me of the amazing teachers who shaped my own path — and now it’s my turn to play a small part in theirs, which is something I’m incredibly proud of.
As both an AUA alum and now a program chair, what does this milestone mean to you personally and professionally?
AUA was a life-changing experience for me, both personally and professionally. I feel a deep connection to the institution — it played a huge role in shaping who I am today. Coming back to AUA first as a faculty member and now as a program chair is truly meaningful.
Leading the MSMA program gives me an opportunity to give back. I hope to use this role to help students not only acquire valuable skills, but also find their purpose and grow their confidence. It’s a privilege to contribute to an institution whose values I deeply respect and share.
Every day is a learning opportunity — especially in a new leadership role. I’m excited to begin this journey and eager to make a positive impact on students, colleagues, and the broader AUA community. Taking on this responsibility is more than a professional milestone — it’s a commitment to shaping the future of an institution I care deeply about.