A Journey of Purpose and Innovation

For over two decades, my career has been guided by a dual mission: to solve the most complex computational challenges of our time and to empower the people who will shape our future. My work is a blend of interconnected roles I am a data scientist, a cybersecurity expert, an educator, a leader, and a veteran. Each role informs the others, creating a unique perspective that I bring to every project and partnership.

My current role as an Associate Professor of Computer Science/Instruction at Texas State University is a culmination of my life’s experiences.

The discipline and collaborative spirit I learned as a U.S. Air Force veteran provide the foundation for my approach to developing and teaching online courses.

My leadership in academia, where I have served as an Associate Dean and Department Chair, is driven by the entrepreneurial mindset I cultivate as the founder of STEM Resources LLC.

Every role is fueled by my journey as a first-generation college graduate, which instilled in me a profound understanding of the transformative power of education and mentorship.

This synthesis of experiences from the research lab to the boardroom, from public service to private enterprise is the foundation of my approach to innovation and leadership. It is a journey defined not by a sequence of jobs, but by the evolution of a singular, multifaceted mission to build, secure, and empower.

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My Mission: Building a Secure, Ethical, and Inclusive Future

My professional mission rests on two core pillars: innovating with technology to create a safer world and empowering the people who will lead it. I believe my research in cybersecurity and my philosophy on mentorship are two sides of the same coin. One cannot succeed without the other. My goal is to build an ecosystem where cutting-edge research fuels hands-on education, and where talented students are mentored to become the next generation of innovators who can translate ideas into real-world impact.

Innovating for a Secure and Ethical World

My research lies at the intersection of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), and data science. I focus on creating adaptive, intelligent security systems that can predict, detect, and neutralize evolving cyber threats in real-time. This work is driven by a desire to not only push the boundaries of technology but also to democratize cybersecurity, making advanced protection accessible to everyone, from large organizations to underserved communities.

My primary approach involves integrating AI and machine learning, particularly through plan recognition, to build systems that anticipate and combat sophisticated attacks in critical environments. This isn’t just theoretical. Through collaborations with federal agencies, I’ve led projects that apply these principles to solve urgent, real-world problems. For the Department of Energy, the SolarSurveillance project is developing an adaptive intrusion detection system to protect the security and reliability of solar energy grids. For NASA, the Augmented Intelligence & Cognitive Support Ecosystem (AICSE) project created a tool to help engineers more effectively analyze massive and complex datasets.

A cornerstone of this work is a deep commitment to ethics. I believe that as we build more powerful AI, we have a profound responsibility to ensure it is used fairly and transparently. A significant part of my research is dedicated to developing privacy-preserving algorithms and explainable AI (XAI) to ensure that security systems are not only effective but also trustworthy and free from bias.

Empowering the Next Generation of Innovators

Mentorship is the heart of my teaching philosophy. As a first-generation college graduate, I am acutely aware of the power of guidance and support, and I strive to create an inclusive, welcoming environment where students from all backgrounds feel empowered to excel. Over my career, I have had the privilege of mentoring more than 40 graduate students, guiding them toward successful careers and prestigious accolades.

My teaching is built on active, hands-on learning. I design courses that bridge academic theory with practical application, where students engage in problem-based learning and work on projects that mirror real-world challenges. This approach is often strengthened through partnerships with industry leaders like Oracle, Dell, and IBM, giving students direct exposure to the tools and challenges they will face in their careers.

My commitment to empowerment extends beyond the university walls. I have extensive experience teaching and supporting a diverse population of adult learners, military veterans, and students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). I have also secured funding for and developed numerous K-16 outreach programs, Saturday academies, and summer camps to provide training in cybersecurity, mobile app development, and computational science for students and educators in underrepresented communities, building a strong and diverse pipeline for the future of STEM.

Leadership in Action: Building Programs, Creating Opportunity

I believe that effective leadership is an act of creation—it’s about building collaborative communities, architecting innovative programs, and creating new opportunities for others to thrive. Throughout my career, I have operated with an entrepreneurial mindset, whether working within a university to launch a new department or founding a company to bring research to the marketplace. My focus has always been on identifying a need and building a lasting solution.

Architect of Academic and Statewide Innovation

In my leadership roles within academia, I have consistently worked to build programs that are interdisciplinary, forward-thinking, and aligned with the needs of both students and industry. At Jackson State University, I spearheaded the creation of a new, interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in Data Sciences. This program became a major success, generating millions in new university income and establishing strategic partnerships with industry giants like Amazon, IBM, and Dell.1 I have also designed other pioneering programs, including the first Professional Master’s Degree in Computer Science & Technology in Arkansas at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) and a trailblazing 3+1 (BS+MS) program in Mississippi, both created to provide flexible, accelerated pathways for students.1
My work at the state level reflects this same drive to build systems that create opportunity. While at the Arkansas Department of Higher Education, I was instrumental in establishing the Statewide Reverse Transfer System, a policy innovation that created more flexible and equitable pathways for students to earn their degrees by allowing them to transfer credits from four-year back to two-year institutions.1

From Research to Reality: STEM Resources LLC

The ultimate expression of my philosophy of bridging research, mentorship, and real-world application is STEM Resources LLC, a consultancy I founded with my former students from UAPB.1 This venture brings my career full circle, transforming the mentor-mentee relationship into a professional partnership. The company’s mission is twofold: to advance STEM education and to develop practical, scalable technology solutions that solve real problems.1
Our work has quickly gained traction and external validation. STEM Resources has successfully secured competitive Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) awards from both NASA and the Department of Energy to tackle challenges in data analysis and critical infrastructure security.1 This venture is more than a business; it is a living laboratory where research ideas are tested, and where the next generation of innovators I’ve mentored can lead the charge in turning those ideas into reality.

Let’s Build Together

My work is built on collaboration, and I am always open to new ideas and partnerships. Whether you are a prospective student with a passion for discovery, a researcher with a challenging problem, or an organization looking to make an impact, I invite you to connect. Let’s explore how we can build the future together.