VCU Business

Education

• PhD, Univ Kansas, 2009.

Bio

Dr. Elena Olson is an Associate Professor of Practice in Information Systems at the VCU School of Business and the founding faculty lead of Global STEMConverge, an interdisciplinary program that connects Business and Engineering students through applied, client-based technical projects in Richmond and Córdoba, Spain. Her work strengthens collaboration across schools and expands opportunities for experiential and global learning.

With more than seventeen years of experience in higher education and international collaboration, Dr. Olson designs practice-oriented learning experiences that connect technology, context, and human insight. Her teaching centers on real-world systems development, client engagement, and interdisciplinary teamwork, helping students develop both technical competence and professional confidence.

Dr. Olson’s academic work focuses on innovation in Information Systems education, particularly project-based learning, applied systems development, global and cross-cultural collaboration, and the thoughtful integration of emerging technologies. She emphasizes clarity, reflection, and ethical awareness as essential components of technical education.

Beyond the classroom, Dr. Olson contributes to university governance through service on the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee and plays an active role in advancing and coordinating the Information Systems curriculum. She leads the development of new interdisciplinary and international programs that bridge academic learning and professional practice, including Global STEMConverge and the Culturally-Informed UX/UI Design program, which integrates cross-cultural learning, design practice, and portfolio development.

Dr. Olson earned her Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Kansas and her M.Sc. in Electronics Engineering from the Belorussian State Polytechnic University. A bilingual English/Russian speaker who also works in Spanish and French, and having lived in seven countries, she brings a global perspective that informs both her teaching and mentorship at VCU.