Education

1995 Santa Fe Community College, A.A.
2004 University of Southern Mississippi, B.S.
2007 University of Southern Mississippi, Ph.D.

View CV (PDF)

Career Specialties

Jean Gourd specializes in artificial intelligence, software engineering, cybersecurity, distributed computing and computer science curriculum development. He has a special interest in hands-on, projects-based learning in computer science, especially in the key formative years of a student’s education.

Professional and Community Activities

During his career, Gourd has received over $6.5 million in funding for foundational research in computing, applied projects in computing and cybersecurity, and educational activities. He has worked with the government and military on projects involving intelligent systems, airplane security and simulation, cyber education and secure supply chain management.

He has one patent under review and many publications in peer-reviewed journals, published at conferences and as chapters in books. He has published a textbook about the science of computing and serves as the primary source for an innovative freshman curriculum in computing.

Gourd has engaged in outreach work in the community to expose people to the beauty of computing. To encourage interest in STEM disciplines, he has led computer-building and 3D printer workshops at middle schools, as well as many computing and cybersecurity workshops for high school students.

Honors and Awards

2014–2020, Endowed Professorship at Louisiana Tech University
2019, Research and Economic Impact Award from Louisiana Tech University
2018, Student Quality and Outreach Award from Louisiana Tech University
2016, Innovative Education Award from Louisiana Tech University
2012, Nominated as EWARDS Educator of the Year in Technology by colleagues
2011, Outstanding Faculty Award from Louisiana Tech University