Vaughn tabbed to lead department of computer science and engineering
June 4, 2009
STARKVILLE, Miss. – A veteran educator and researcher has been tabbed to lead the Bagley College of Engineering’s department of computer science and engineering.
Effective July 1, Dr. Ray Vaughn will assume the role of department head and hold the Bill and Carolyn Cobb Endowed Chair. For more than 11 years the post has been held by Dr. Julia Hodges, who in 2008 announced her wishes to return to a faculty only position.
“We are extremely pleased to announce Dr. Vaughn’s appointment to department head,” explained Dr. Sarah Rajala, BCoE dean. “He has an impeccable record of research, leadership and education that I know will benefit the students and faculty of the department.”
In addition to his current teaching duties, Vaughn, a William L. Giles Distinguished Professor, also serves as director for both the Center for Computer Security Research and the Critical Infrastructure Protection Center. He oversees the college’s certificate programs in his research areas of software engineering and information assurance, as well as two large computer security scholarship programs, which have supported more than 70 students at MSU since 2001
Currently, the retired Army colonel serves as principle investigator for a $1 million initiative, which allows MSU researchers to use their already successful digital forensics training to provide transitioning and wounded veterans a new, marketable skill. Still in its first year of implementation, the program has received national attention for its innovative nature.
“With Dr. Vaughn’s national and international reputation we are confident that he will not only maintain the department’s current standing, but also steer it to new heights in the future,” Rajala said.
Vaughn came to Mississippi State in 1997 following a 26-year military career and two years as vice-president of military integration systems at Electronic Data Systems Corp. He holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science and statistics from the University of Southern Mississippi and master’s and doctoral degrees in computer science from Kansas State University.
Since arriving at MSU, Vaughn has received numerous honors including the Outstanding Faculty Member, Outstanding Engineering Educator and Faculty Research awards. He currently holds the Billie Ball Professorship in Engineering, as well as an elected position on the faculty senate.