Computer Science Advisory Board

The advisory board helps the computer science department stay current with the new trends in the workplace and provides very important advising regarding our curriculum.

The board meets in person once a year (typically early in the fall semester), but the communication is open throughout the year via email. Many of the past and recent changes in our curriculum are due to our conversations with the advisory board.

Board Member

Member Affiliation
Tim Ceradsky Compuware (BS Computer Science 1993)
Melissa Crouch Sprint (BS Computer Science 1996)
Thomas Daniels Iowa State University (BS Computer Science 1995)
Matt Gallion Digital Monitoring Products
Thomas Hutchison Husch Blackwell
Kirk Jones Independent Contractor (BS Computer Science 2006)
Seth Malone IBM Watson Health
Samuel Nack O'Reilly Automotive (MS Computer Science 2023)
Ryan Reach Flint Hills Resources
Pete Sanderson Retired - Otterbein University
Michael Shepard Jack Henry & Associates (BS Computer Science 1992)
Lewis Stone Indepentent Contractor
Kirk Strauser Coda (BS Computer Science 2000)
Md. Forhad Hossain Alumni (MS in Computer Science 2019)

From the advisory board

Picture of Peter Sanderson

Dr. Peter Sanderson came to MSU in 1992 after working for eight years as a software developer. He describes the next nine plus years as living the dream. He loved his classes and his students.

In 1999, he became department head and led the successful ABET re-accreditation effort the following year. Soon thereafter, family matters drew him and his wife Nancy back to their home state of Ohio. For the next 16 years, he taught computer science at Otterbein University, serving as department chair for six of those years and retiring as Emeritus Professor in May 2017.

However, Dr. Sanderson never lost his devotion to MSU and the computer science department. Upon his departure, he established a scholarship fund to assist deserving students. When the Computer Science Advisory Board was established, he readily accepted Dr. Lloyd Smith’s invitation to join it. The department depends on the board to keep it aware of evolving trends and needs in the workplace so it may adjust its programs to prepare graduates for successful careers. Dr. Sanderson describes his role as an academic member to be providing an informed independent view on curricular matters. He feels honored to have served, and we are very grateful for his leadership and contributions to our department.