Education
Master of Business Administration, Business Analytics, Ball State University
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Minors: Economics and Residential Property Management, Ball State University
Certificate in Behavioral Studies, Teacher's College, Ball State University
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
AIGPE - CPD Accreditation
Bio
Bonnie Garrity joined Marian University in the 2025-26 academic year as an assistant professor of business analytics. In this role, she teaches undergraduate students the tools and fundamentals of business analytics, with emphasis on applied statistics, data manipulation, analytical processes, and data visualization. Her courses cover a wide range of technologies and methodologies including Excel, Python, R, SAS, Tableau, Power BI, Looker, and concepts related to artificial intelligence.
Before transitioning to academia, Garrity built a diverse and impactful career as a business analyst and data strategist, working across industries such as finance, manufacturing, e-commerce, materials, and security. Her professional background includes expertise in business systems, process automation, business intelligence, and cross-functional collaboration.
Garrity brings a unique perspective to her academic role, rooted in real-world experience and entrepreneurship. She founded her first business in high school and successfully ran a contract manufacturing company for 15 years. Her passion lies in bridging the gap between business strategy and technical implementation, creating data-driven solutions that are scalable, user-friendly, and impactful. She is particularly focused on equipping students with the analytical and strategic thinking skills needed to thrive in today’s data-centric business environment.
Courses Taught
Teaching Philosophy
Garrity embraces a hands-on, project-based teaching philosophy. She guides students through practical exercises to build foundational skills, then encourages independent analysis to deepen learning. By applying tools and techniques in real-world scenarios, students develop confidence in using data to drive decisions.
Research Interests
Garrity’s research interests lie at the intersection of business analytics, artificial intelligence, and process improvement. She is particularly interested in how organizations leverage data-driven decision-making to improve operational efficiency, customer experience, and strategic outcomes. Additional areas of interest include the ethical use of AI in business, systems optimization, and the role of analytics in digital transformation across manufacturing and e-commerce sectors.
She is actively developing course materials, refining her instructional strategies, and exploring best practices in experiential and data-driven learning. Garrity is also building connections across campus and the broader academic community to support future research and collaborative projects in applied business analytics and AI.
Community and Public Engagement
Garrity has a long-standing commitment to service and community engagement. She has volunteered with Gleaners Food Bank in Indianapolis and at Ball State University in Muncie and has participated in numerous charity fundraisers supporting a variety of causes. She also joined an international missions trip to Mexico, where she helped build homes for families in need.
In addition to her community involvement, Garrity has spoken at small business conferences on topics related to entrepreneurship and cosmetic product development, including technical presentations on formulation and manufacturing practices.
Personal Info
Garrity and her husband have five children. She enjoys running, weightlifting, music, gardening, and painting. She especially loves hiding her painted rocks around campus for others to find.
