Meet Dr. Aleksander (Sasha) Tomic, a dynamic leader at the intersection of data, economics, and education. As Associate Dean for Strategy, Innovation, & Technology at Boston College’s Woods College of Advancing Studies, Dr. Tomic contributes a wealth of experience in analytics and academic leadership to varied programs. He directs both the Master of Science in Applied Analytics (MSAA) and Master of Science in Applied Economics (MASE) programs; he also occasionally teaches in the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences and the Carroll School of Management.
Before joining Boston College, Dr. Tomic held faculty and leadership roles at institutions including Mercer University, Wesleyan College, and Macon State College. He also brings international industry experience to his work, having served as principal in econometrics at HENDYPLAN, S.A. in Luxembourg. His research—on topics ranging from the European Monetary Union to racial disparities in the U.S. justice system—has been published internationally, and he’s a sought-after speaker on economic trends and policy.
Today, Dr. Tomic draws on this diverse background to lead Boston College’s MS in Applied Analytics and MS in Applied Economics programs. Under his direction, these graduate offerings combine academic rigor with real-world relevance, preparing students to thrive in data-driven roles across industries.
We sat down with Dr. Tomic at the 2025 Industry & Analytics Symposium to talk about the evolving landscape of analytics and economics education, how BC Woods is preparing students for a future shaped by AI, and what makes these programs truly distinct.
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Tell us a little about each of the applied master’s programs at BC Woods, including their differences and similarities.
The Master of Science in Applied Economics, which launched in 2015, prepares students to work in fields like policy analysis, business, and data science. We provide students with the breadth of knowledge from economics, complemented by the depth of knowledge in analytics. We also have a Master of Science in Applied Analytics, where we give students a deeper set of skills in machine learning, data science, and artificial intelligence.
The two programs are very complementary in nature. One gives you a broader view of the world: how the world works, how incentives work, and what topics are emerging. The other provides a deeper understanding of modern tools. Together, they form a very strong mix of skills that are essential to thrive in the new world.
What types of career paths do graduates of these programs pursue?
The career paths for our graduates are very diverse. They end up in consulting, financial services, and government at the local, state, and federal levels. But one common thread is that they work with data—both in the analysis and in the presentation of those results—to influence decision-making.
Our alumni are all over the world and in various locations. We have people like Andy Flowers, the chief economist of AppCast, a huge recruiting company, who is merging data science and economics in some very interesting ways. We also have people at places like Charles River Associates, McKinsey, and Amazon.
Generally speaking, our alumni do very well. But, as I said, the common thread is that they work with data and put data to work to drive impact.
As technology and industries rapidly evolve, how are these programs preparing students for an AI-driven workforce and other future careers that may not exist yet?
The way we prepare students for future careers is, first, by being very honest that we cannot fully prepare them for future careers. What we can do is provide a very solid foundation, teach them how to learn from us and how to learn on their own, and prepare them for the ever-changing nature of work.
The other, more fundamental way we prepare our students for the gen-AI future is by making them a little more comfortable with the fact that they cannot stop learning when they leave the program.
We provide students with a robust foundation in fundamental technical skills that underpin everything we observe in the world, including generative AI. We also provide hands-on work that teaches them to learn and solve problems independently, so that once they leave the program, they are ready to constantly improve, learn new things, and adjust to changing circumstances—to recognize the patterns, if you will, and then take action to adjust to them and thrive.
One of the distinctions of these programs is flexibility. Could you discuss the design of these master’s programs?
One thing that we did by design in both programs was to ensure maximum flexibility, specifically in terms of fitting the program into your life. You can take our program fully online, fully in person, or any combination of the two.
Whether you want to be a full-time student, are working a job, or are balancing a job and family, we are here to help you fit the work within your life circumstances.
I like to say we are infinitely flexible when it comes to scheduling, but we are infinitely inflexible when it comes to quality. We do not compromise on that. We take great care to ensure that our classroom delivery is consistent with our online delivery. We will engage you, teach you, and equip you with a set of skills that you can apply, whether you are attending online or in a classroom.
Another distinction is the small class sizes and the personalized attention from faculty that comes with them. How does this benefit students?
One of the things that we are really adamant about is faculty-student interaction. Whether students are taking classes online or in person, we encourage our faculty to engage with them, not just provide the content.
The interactions between faculty and students go beyond the material to include career mentoring, discussions about the real-world applications of what is being learned, and more. Our faculty all have real-world experience, meaning they are doing, or have done, what they are teaching. They give students a lot of advice on issues beyond the classroom.
My favorite example is a faculty member who hired a student based on their performance in class. Through a series of career progressions, that student is now in the same role the faculty member once held at a very large consulting company. It is a great example of how faculty provide not just academic instruction but also personal and career mentorship, as well as engagement that goes beyond the classroom and the class material.
We talked about flexibility and faculty mentorship. What else makes BC Woods stand out?
What sets Boston College apart is our commitment to the person and the sense of community we build. It goes without saying that we provide top-notch education. We will teach you technical skills, and we are second to none in that.
But a lot of places actually do that. What we do differently is help you think about yourself as a whole person. So what is it other than skills? How do I fit into this world? What does the world need from me? That is the Jesuit tradition of helping people, regardless of their background, think about these bigger themes and lead a fuller life.
Learn More About the Applied Master’s Degrees at BC Woods
Dr. Tomic is one of many exceptional educators who distinguish BC Woods programs. The MS in Applied Analytics and MS in Applied Economics programs offer cutting-edge curricula that evolve in response to industry needs; exceptional flexibility with online, in-person, and hybrid options; and personalized faculty mentorship from professionals with real-world expertise.
Whether you want to grow in your current career or transition into a data-focused role, BC Woods empowers you with the practical skills, guidance, and support to help you succeed. Request more information to learn more about the programs or to get help determining which master’s degree is right for you. If you’re ready to take the next step, start your application today.