Former Rock Band Member
Jose L. Cordova, associate professor and faculty chair of computer science, is also the Kitty DeGree Endowed Professor in Computer Science. He earned a Ph.D. in computer science from Mississippi State University and began working at ULM in 1995.
I am originally from San Salvador, El Salvador. I arrived in the U.S. as a student in January 1985.
I have always enjoyed mathematics. As a high school student, I really was not sure which career to pursue. During one summer vacation, I took a short course on computer programming and really enjoyed it. Computer science became a great way to apply my love for mathematics and for problem-solving skills.
My favorite hobbies include listening to music, particularly from The Beatles and music from the 1960s, and watching movies with my family. I also spend a lot of time watching and refereeing soccer games, both locally and around the state. I hold a state referee certification from the U.S. Soccer Federation.
One thing that most people don't know about me is that as a teen, I played guitar in a rock-and-roll band.
One of my favorite ULM memories is the time when everyone (including administrators, faculty, and students) came together on a Saturday to clean up the campus. As it was noted at the time, this activity wasn't part of anybody's job description, but a large portion of the ULM community joined in the effort to make our campus look better.
My favorite spot on campus is Starbucks. I love the coffee and the atmosphere.
ULM's commitment to excellence in undergraduate education and its student-centered reputation prompted me to work here.
Without a doubt, the classroom experience is the most rewarding part of my job. I enjoy every aspect: from the preparation of lectures and the selection of examples and assignments, to the interaction with students in the classroom, and finally, the expression in the students' faces when difficult concepts become clear as a result of the classroom experience. I believe in doing whatever it takes and leaving no stones unturned in order to accomplish the objectives of that day's lesson. Sometimes, as the students will confirm, this may involve standing on top of a student's desk in order to make a point.
One of my proudest accomplishments is being selected as the Outstanding Faculty Member for the College of Arts & Sciences in 2003. The other one is leading the computer science program through a successful reaccreditation process in 2007.
There is a significant need for graduates in the computing field, both locally and throughout the nation. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that, "Software engineers are projected to be one of the fastest growing occupations from 2006 to 2016." Educating future computing scientists will have a great impact on our ability to compete for highly-skilled industries.
If my students were to leave my classroom knowing only one thing, it would be that in the end, it's what you want to learn that counts. Learn to learn and practice learning every day. Learning never ends.