Computer Science at JBU
Future-proof your career in an increasingly vital industry
In the computer science major, you will be prepared even for the jobs that don't yet exist in the fast-moving world of technology. At JBU our faculty and staff will guide you through the process of discovering your vocation and developing your skills to impact God's kingdom.
Choose from the following emphasis options (click here for the list of courses)
General |
Mathematics |
Cybersecurity |
Computer Engineering |
Business Analytics |
Marketing |
Bioinformatics |
Gaming/Web Development |
Creative Writing |
Music |
Philosophy |
Psychology |
Robotics |
|
|
What to expect as a Computer Science student at JBU
Flexibility
Computer science & music? Yes. Computer science & gaming/web development? We've got that too. Design your degree to fit your interests.
Connections
Regional companies like Walmart, J.B. Hunt, Field Agent, Hobby Lobby and more are looking for qualified computer science graduates, and our JBU students are sought after for internships and careers.
Job Opportunities
Northwest Arkansas Council reports that there are over 400 unfilled software developer positions in the region with a median salary of $104,000.
Facilities
The Balzer Technology Center has 40,000 square feet of state-of-the-art labs and learning space.
Accelerated Master's in Cybersecurity
With JBU's 4+1 program, you can begin taking master's level classes as an undergraduate and finish both your bachelor's in computer science and master's in cybersecurity in five years. (You can even finish online once you get a full-time job.)
Access to Experts
Not only will JBU's excellent, caring faculty invest in your future, but you'll have access to classes taught by expert faculty from Christian schools across the U.S.
What could you do with a Computer Science degree?
Software Developer
Systems Analyst
Network Architect
Database Administrator
Web Developer
Information Security Analyst
Technical Writer
IT Specialist
Computer and Information Research Scientist
Meet the Computer Science faculty















Derrek Arce
Adjunct Instructor, Cybersecurity
Derrek received his B.A. in Management Information Systems from the University of Oklahoma in 2013, and is completing his M.S. in Cyber Security with Western Governor's University in 2022. He served 15 years in the military primarily as a cryptologic and cyber warfare officer from 2004-2019. He worked as a senior information systems and cloud security engineer with multiple defense contractors, and is currently serving as the senior cloud security engineer for Arvest Bank's cloud adoption. He enjoys church, family hikes, reading, and high intensity workouts.

Paul Nast
Paul received his B.A. in Computer Information Science from Judson University in 1990, and his M.B.A. in Technology Management from the University of Phoenix Online in 2000. He has worked as a consultant, corporate trainer, and contract programmer for several firms in downtown Chicago. He was employed in technical support, network management, and systems design for DaySpring Cards in Siloam Springs from 1990-1999. He has been employed as the inaugural Chief Information Officer for John Brown University since 1999, and leads the strategic and operational information technology services of the institution. He enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, fine dining, gaming, model rockets, and reading – especially Sherlock Holmes and Jules Verne.

John Lee
Assistant Professor of Engineering
Dr. John Lee joined the Engineering Faculty at John Brown University in the fall of 2018. Dr. Lee received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at Oklahoma Christian University in the spring of 2008 and his Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering with an emphasis in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in the spring of 2018. His doctoral dissertation is in fluid phase separation via nanochannel arrays for space propulsion. During his academic career he was afforded the opportunity to participate in numerous internships, including a research experience for undergraduates at the University of Arkansas, process engineering at Eaton Corporation, and a dynamics lab at Los Alamos National Labs. While finishing his dissertation research, he worked for WattGlass, a solar panel coating start-up at the University of Arkansas Engineering Research Center.
Dr. Lee and his wife, Nicole, enjoy spending time with their wonderful daughter, Zoey, and amazing son, Zane. They enjoy traveling as a family and experiencing other cultures, cuisines, and foreign landscapes. In his free time, Dr. Lee enjoys sporting events, golf, and woodworking. He and his family are members at Cross Church, Fayetteville.

Justus Selwyn
Professor of Computer Science
Dr. Justus Selwyn holds a Doctorate degree in Computer Science, specializing in Software & Knowledge Engineering. Having served the academia, industry and research in Indian Universities (2001-2021), Justus is now with JBU teaching computer science. His research works are published in various journals, and he has traveled to Germany, Israel, and the USA to present his works at international conferences. Being a software consultant, he has provided software solutions to software companies like Ericson India, PhantomFX, Einel Technologies, and to his previous employer, VIT University.
A passion for music has been in Justus since childhood, which made him grab every opportunity to learn music. After many years of practices, performances, participation and leading church choirs, bands, and groups, he formed a male vocal quartet in 2008 through which he proclaims the love of God and the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Being a certified vocalist, he loves to teach music and singing.
Justus is married to Hepsiba, also a professor at JBU. They have one son, Handel. They all love to serve the Lord through their music ministry in the church and in their community.
Christusem Inachey (But Christ) is his strong faith in all his professions and passions.
http://justus.chordiels.com/

Jonathan Newton
Adjunct Instructor, Cybersecurity
Jonathan earned his B.S. in Engineering, Electrical/Computer Engineering from John Brown University, and later went on to complete the M.S. in Cybersecurity program at JBU. Jonathan currently works as a Senior Systems Engineer and the Lead Developer at Engineering with IT that specializes in contract electrical and computer engineering. Through this work, he has had the privilege of working on many high-profile projects with multiple fortune 500 companies ranging from security analysis and penetration testing to point of sale application development. Among his many hobbies, Jonathan enjoys building electronics or software projects, cooking with his wife, Janae, studying scripture, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Tim Gilmour
Dr. Tim Gilmour joined the engineering faculty in August of 2012. Dr. Gilmour received his B.S.E.E. from Cedarville University in 2003, his M.S.E.E. from Penn State University in 2005, and his Ph.D. from Penn State University in 2012. For his masters' research he tested different signal processing methods for brain-computer interfaces. For his doctoral research he applied signal processing to examine the effects of cell transplants on brain electrical activity in Parkinson's Disease. He has published four journal papers and presented seven conference abstracts. In his free time he enjoys spending time with friends, reading, hiking, music, playing Frisbee and Ping-Pong, learning about other cultures, and spreading the good news about Jesus Christ.

Justin Simpson
Adjunct Professor, Cybersecurity
Justin Simpson currently works as the Director of the Data Security Area at Walmart. He is responsible for developing, operating, and strategically planning for Walmart’s enterprise cryptography and encryption areas. He analyzes, processes, and establishes protocols and complex solutions to protect the corporations’ assets, employees, and data integrity for the global enterprise. Prior to his current role, Justin led Walmart’s Identity and Access Management practice, transforming the area into a world-class team.
Justin is also a trailblazer, highly sought-after industry speaker, and servant leader in the STEAM arena. Through his service on the Florida A&M Technology Advisory Board, the University of Alabama Management Information Systems Advisory Board, and the Axway Customer Advisory Board, Simpson has drastically improved the professional trajectory for students and corporations alike. Justin is a graduate of the University of Alabama with a Bachelor’s in Management Information Systems and holds an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) with an Entrepreneurship certificate from the University of Arkansas. In 2012, he was recognized as the “Most Promising Engineer” by the Black Data Process Association (BDPA).

Hepsiba Vivenkanandan
Adjunct Instructor, Computer Science
Dr. Hepsiba Mabel grew up in the Southern part of India and received an opportunity to begin her education at an institute that was established by her great grandparents, and college education at Sarah Tucker College, which was established by American Missionaries. After graduation, she began teaching undergraduate and graduate students. She loves to interact with and provide counseling to students, parents and has many success stories in placing students in top positions in their career and personal life.
Hepsiba has had many opportunities to serve the Lord, such as ministering in the college chapel, organizing and conducting fellowship meetings, and uplifting youngsters. Even to this day, she conducts daily devotions to Sunday school children & teenagers in her community to teach them the Scriptures and help them grow spiritually.
Hepsiba is married to Justus, also a professor at JBU. They have one son, Handel. All three of them are into music ministry and serving God in all possible ways.

Brent Nohl
Adjunct Instructor, Cybersecurity
Brent Nohl currently works as the Director of the Security Operations Center at Walmart. He is responsible for the systems, SIEM and SOAR, that identify and correlate bad or malicious behavior in the enterprise. Brent has 15 years of experience in Information Technology, with the last six focused on Cybersecurity. He has extensive industry experience working in Transportation Logistics Systems, Software Development, Relational Database Management Systems, Infrastructure, Procurement, Project, and Program Management.

Ted Song
Chief Diversity Officer
Department Chair, Engineering, Computer Science, and Cybersecurity
Associate Professor of Engineering
Dr. Ted Song has been serving as Chief Diversity Officer since 2021, providing leadership in planning and implementing diversity initiatives that foster cultural and systemic improvements. He joined JBU in 2012 as a professor in electrical engineering and has served as Coordinator of Diversity and Innovation and Chair of Faculty Affairs Committee. He also serves as Chair of the Engineering, Computer Science, and Cybersecurity Departments and is a recipient of the 2012 Texas Exes Teaching Award and the 2018 JBU Faculty Excellence Award.
Dr. Song grew up both in the U.S. and Korea and is a CQ® (cultural intelligence) certified facilitator. He was an ROTC cadet during his undergraduate studies and served as an Air Defense Artillery Officer in the Republic of Korea Army. He received his Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and his M.Div. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Outside JBU, he serves as Vice President of Christian Engineering Society and as a member of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU) Diversity and Inclusion Commission.
Dr. Song and his wife, Michelle, live in Siloam Springs and have three daughters. They are members at Siloam Springs Bible Church (an Evangelical Free Church), where Dr. Song leads the College Ministry and serves as an elder.

Kim Cornett
Instructor of Engineering
Mrs. Kimberly Cornett has been teaching with the Engineering Department since 2015. She received her B.S.E with concentration in Electrical Engineering from John Brown University in 2007 and earned her MSEE from the University of Arkansas in 2009. Her Master’s research was integrated circuit design for extreme environment applications in Space and on surface of the Moon and Mars. Some of the circuits she worked on orbited with the International Space Station. She then worked for Texas Instruments as a Servo Systems Engineer for 3.5 years developing application-specific integrated circuits for the hard disk drive industry. These experiences developed her special interests in circuit design and verification as well as project management. Mrs. Cornett has served as the Counselor for the JBU Chapter of the Society of Women Engineers and loves to encourage young girls to pursue STEM careers.
Mrs. Cornett and her husband Nick Cornett (JBU Graduate Counseling Faculty) returned to Siloam Springs in 2012. They have one daughter and two sons. They are active in the local church and Bible study groups. She enjoys spending time with family, baking, sewing, woodworking, running, hiking, biking, and spectating various sports.

Michael Morrow
Adjunct Instructor, Cybersecurity
Mr. Morrow has been in the Information Technology industry for just over 20 years. He has been employed as a computer forensic specialist for the Arkansas State Police and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Upon moving to Bentonville five years ago, he has been employed at Walmart in a Risk Analyst capacity being promoted twice. Currently as a Risk Expert, he enjoys teaching the next generation of Cybersecurity professionals.

David Graham
Adjunct Instructor, Cybersecurity
Mr. Graham is currently employed as a Director-Cybersecurity/Incident Response for a multi national firm and previously was a Lead Forensic Examiner for a Fortune 10 company. He formerly served as the Director of the Computer Forensics Unit in the Computer Crime Section of the Virginia Office of the Attorney General and as a Deputy Sheriff for almost 18 years. Mr. Graham has been a computer repair/networking professional for over 30 years. Mr. Graham obtained his graduate degree in Forensic Computing and Cybercrime Investigation in 2018.
Certifications include A+ Certified Computer Technician, Certified Computer Examiner CCE, Certified Computer Forensic Technician CCFT, Certified Forensic Computer Examiner CFCE, and AccessData Certified Examiner ACE.
Mr. Graham has provided numerous computer forensic trainings at the state and national level.

Shanon Vuglar
Assistant Professor of Engineering
Dr. Shanon Vuglar joined the JBU engineering faculty in 2018. He received his B.Tech. (Aeronautical Engineering), B.E. (Electrical Engineering), and M.Sc. (Information Technology) from the University of New South Wales, Canberra, Australia, while serving in the Royal Australian Air Force. On completing his undergraduate degrees, he served as an Engineering Officer, predominantly working in the areas of Information Operations and Communications. In June 2015, he was awarded a Ph.D. (Electrical Engineering) from the University of New South Wales. His doctoral research was in the area of quantum control and considered the physical realizability of quantum systems. Before joining JBU, he held postdoctoral research positions at the University of Melbourne and Princeton University. He has published four journal articles and five peer-reviewed conference papers. Dr. Vuglar values being an active part of a vibrant Christian community and has led prayer and Bible study groups as well as serving on worship teams, playing saxophone and drums. He enjoys running, cycling, mountain biking, and skiing and in July 2018, he successfully completed his first Ironman Triathlon (Lake Placid, NY). He also enjoys playing chess and other board games.