Susan Hammond was introduced this week as the new chair of the Department of Computer Science.
Hammond takes over the position from Dr. Idongesit Mkpong-Ruffin, who served as chair for 11 years. Mkpong-Ruffin stepped down as chair to coordinate department efforts in the area of cyber-security.
“Dr. Mkpong-Ruffin has provided wonderful leadership in positioning the department to take its next steps forward,” said Dr. Jeff Arrington, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Hammond, assistant professor of computer science, has been at Faulkner for eight years and is currently continuing her research on the effect of test-driven development on code complexity.
She received her bachelor’s degree in computer information science from Freed-Hardeman University and an MBA in international business from Georgia State University. She is a doctoral candidate in computer science and software engineering at Auburn University. Hammond loves introducing computer science to students through the Introduction to Computer Science course, and also teaches Networking, Visual Programming, Project Management, Software Engineering, and Computers, Ethics and Society.
Before joining the academic world, Hammond worked in software development at HCA Healthcare, with the corporate offices for Holiday Inn Hotels and for the Internet-banking software provider S1. Throughout her industry career, she was engaged in a variety of software development roles, including programmer, programmer/analyst, software analyst, project manager and development manager.