Our Former Students
In many ways, the best proof of the strength of our programs lies with our former students and their careers after their work at the School of Computing and Software Engineering. This page introduces some of them.
Christopher Jackson
BS Computer Science, 2004
Two days after my graduation in May 2004
I started out working in Google's datacenters
helping to build, invent, and optimize Google's hardware production infrastructure and network.
I have written applications for Google's network, computer servers,
and high-level monitoring of system services which have been used for years at Google.
I now play a System Administration role at Google Brazil
working less with hardware and more with system services
in many environments mainly Linux.
Here I continue to automate tasks and write a fair amount of technical documentation
as well as serve as project lead for various processes.
My interest lies in software development and I have a passion for aritificial intelligence.
I love to read Science Fiction (Ender's Game, etc).
I enjoy sports, XBox 360, and peace with my wife and three daughters.
Posted: January 2008
Garett Trent
BS Computer Science, 2006
I am now a software engineer for Systems Atlanta, Inc. and I have been with them
since my graduation in December 2006.
I have also been working on a side project
for internetsafety.com that will help to deter child predator activities on
the Facebook.com social network website.
Hopefully, you'll get to see my work soon!
I'm loving every minute of my new career and wouldn't change a thing!
Thanks to all of faculty and staff in CSE for getting me going in the right direction.
Posted: February 2008
Miecha Jackson
BS Information Technology, 2007
I graduated from Stone Mountain High School and am a proud Southern Polytechnic State University alumna.
I started my undergraduate studies at Savannah State University,
became a transient student at Southern Polytechnic State University,
and then transferred to Armstrong Atlantic State University
before finally transferring to SPSU.
I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology
with a concentration in Software Development in 2007.
I am an IT Security Administrator for one of the largest U.S. wireless companies and largest wireless data provider.
My job description includes and is not limited to navigating through various systems,
exacting and exporting information into Excel,
analyzing the findings to diagram and resolving open issues in front end software, interfaces and database software.
One of my greatest achievements was performing
the role as Secretary and Charter Member for the Savannah State University Chapter #58D4 N.A.A.C.P.
I am blessed with a very loving family that consist of my mother and father, my son, my sister and her family.
Some of my hobbies include crocheting, reading, writing, bowling, and dancing.
Posted: February 2008
Justin Simms
BS Computer Science, 2006
I graduated from SPSU in May 2006.
In my junior year at SPSU, I became an intern at Applied Systems Intelligence, a company located in Alpharetta.
The company hired me full time as a software engineer upon my graduation.
The core technology at ASI is PreAct
a flexible architecture for the construction of intelligent systems.
My work focuses on intelligent system design,
domain modeling, systems integration, framework design, and embedded systems programming.
I am now working out of my company's offices in Springfield, Missouri,
and am attending Missouri State University at my company's expense.
I am pursuing a Master's in Natural and Applied Science
and I am working on a Master's my thesis on cognitive systems
that can be applied to the field of theoretical population genetics.
Once I have completed my work here, I hope return to Georgia
to pursue my PhD in Computer Science and to extending my Master's thesis
to provide a fully operational cognitive system.
Posted: March 2008
Bill Lorton
I enrolled at SPSU (then Southern Technical Institute)
after completing my Associates of Arts degree in Melbourne, Florida.
In 1992, while working on my BS in CS at SPSU, I was hired by Biomechanics Inc,
a local company specializing in the relatively new field of motion capture.
In 1999, Giant Studios licensed the exclusive entertainment rights for the technology,
and shortly thereafter I joined them to continue with the technology's development
for feature film and video game applications.
In 2004, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognized me
and three others (Vaughn Cato -also an SPSU alum-, Matt Madden, and Dr. Nels Madsen) by presenting us
with a Technical Achievement Award for the development of the Giant Studios motion capture technology
and its influence on the film making industry.
A partial list of films utilizing this technology include The Lord of the Rings trilogy,
The Polar Express, Happy Feet, I Am Legend, and Ironman.
Posted: April 2008
Zia Qureshi
MS Computer Science, 1995
My name is Zia Qureshi and I graduated from Southern Polytechnic State University
with a MS in Computer Science in 1995,
having obtained a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from the University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan.
I worked for a number of companies after my graduation in a number of different capacities,
including project manager, consulting engineer, network administrator and IT professional.
In 2007, I returned to Pakistan to take up a position as an assistant professor
in the IT department at the Fatima Jinnah Women University in Rawalpindi.
I teach a number of courses in our Bachelor programs in Computer Science and Software Engineering
and in our Master in Computer Science.
I also co-supervise master's projects in the general area of networking.
Posted: July 2008
Donna Washington
BS Computer Science, 2008
SPSU is the university to attend for students looking for a well-respected university
with challenging courses, small classes, and hands-on-learning all at an affordable price.
The university offers and is increasing social, professional, and athletic activities.
Those interested in developing leadership, networking, and personal skills
I encourage to participate in extracurricular activities.
SPSU hosts annual career fairs, information sessions, resume reviews,
and workshops to help students with job placement.
Taking advantage of the career placement services
and being a member of the professional organization NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers)
played a significant role in my job search.
I met with hundreds of employers like Google, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, UPS, BAE Systems, 3M,
and the Department of Defense -
all of which expressed great interest and led to multiple job offers prior to graduation.
The academic foundation I built at SPSU enabled me
to confidently accept a Software Engineering position with the Department of Defense.
Posted: December 2008