Biography

I am a Professor of Informatics and (former) Founding Chair of Informatics and Computer Science, with an extensive professional and academic background that spans both Information Systems and Computer Science. I have both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Computer Science, and a Ph.D. in Information Systems. I have taught courses in Information Systems, Computer Science, Information Technology, and Geographical Information Systems.

I was recognized as 2011 Faculty Member of the Year by the Associated Students of Idaho State University, recognized as an Outstanding Master Teacher by Idaho State University in both 2011 and 2012, and received the ISU College of Business 2002-2003 Outstanding Teacher Award. I try always to ensure a positive learning experience for my students.

I have 80 peer-reviewed publications, and received the ISU College of Business 2005-2006 Outstanding Research Award. I am an Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Senior Member, and in 2007 I was awarded a Curtin University Research Fellowship in Perth, Australia.

I served as Founding Chair of Informatics and Computer Science from 2013 to 2021, and before that as Chair of Computer Information Systems from 2012 to 2013. In 2013 I was selected to forge a strategic alliance of ISU's most prominent computing-intensive majors, Computer Information Systems and Computer Science. I was given the mandate to recover Computer Science program that was nearing termination. The Informatics and Computer Science Department was at the nexus of two colleges, the College of Business (CoB) and the College of Science and Engineering (CoSE). In 2020 the CS program was deemed strong enough to entrust back to CoSE management.

While leading a department positioned as a STEM cornerstone for Idaho State University, I directed the development of multiple new graduate programs, participated extensively in curriculum development at the undergraduate and graduate levels, hired and mentored several faculty members, and earned top evaluations from two deans as well as faculty members serving in the department. I have demonstrated the ability to work effectively and successfully with upper administration, and my nontraditional department was widely considered an exemplary success.

As an experienced and innovative technology professional with experience developing software systems for one of the top Fortune 100 companies, I have a thorough understanding of the challenges of STEM education in an increasingly competitive and technologically diverse environment.