Gordon Richards

Biography

Dr. Gordon Richards joined Geneva College in 1999 as a part-time instructor in Business. He taught courses in Information Systems, Business Analytics, Operations Management, and Project Management. In 2011, Dr. Richards joined the faculty of the college full-time as the Department Chair of Business, Accounting, and Management. While serving as Chair of that department, Dr. Richards created the college’s first 3+1 program, enabling students to complete a BS Business Administration, and a Master of Business Administration in four years.

In 2017, Dr. Richards transitioned to the area of Computer Science. The following year he established the BS Computer Information Systems, BS Cybersecurity, and MS Cybersecurity for the college. During this time, he also created the college’s second 3+1 program. This program permits students to earn a BS Computer Science, with a minor in Cybersecurity, and an MS Cybersecurity in four years. He currently teaches a variety of Computer Science and Cybersecurity courses at the undergraduate and graduate level, and several cross-disciplinary courses servicing students from other departments on campus.

Dr. Richards holds a BS Management and Computer Information Systems from Park College (1992), a MS Computer Resource and Information Management from Webster University (1994), a MDiv from Liberty University (2025), and a DSc Information Systems and Communications from Robert Morris University (2012).

Prior to joining the faculty of Geneva College, Dr. Richards enjoyed a nearly 28-year career in the United States Air Force, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and the 171st Communications Squadron Commander, under the 171st Air Refueling Wing in Pittsburgh, PA. He held various positions related to weapons, communications, and cybersecurity. During his service, Dr. Richards deployed to Iraq (2005), serving as the Theater Chief for Information Assurance, Guam (2006), as the Executive Officer for a deployed flying unit, and Afghanistan (2007), where he commanded the 453 Expeditionary Communications Flight.

Dr. Richards lives in Enon Valley, PA on a hobby farm with his wife Lisa. They raise cattle, chickens, and honeybees. They enjoy gardening, traveling in their motorhome with their Goldendoodle, and being active in the lives of their students. They have three children – Reece (Fargo, ND), Peyton (Bondurant, IA), and Croix (Enon Valley, PA), and three grandchildren.

Disciplines/Field of Instruction

• Computer Science
• Computer Information Systems
• Cybersecurity

Degrees Received

• D.Sc. Information Systems and Communication, 2012, Robert Morris University
• M. Divinity, 2025, Liberty University
• M.S. Computer and Information Resource Management, 1994, Webster University
• B.S. Management/Computer Information Systems, 1992, Park College

Courses Taught

• BUS 140 – Introduction to Business Computing
• BUS 241 – Quantitative Analysis I
• BUS 242 – Quantitative Analysis II
• BUS 341 – Development of Information Systems I
• BUS 342 – Development of Information Systems II
• BUS 343 – Systems Analysis and Design
• BUS 344 – Management of Information Systems
• BUS 415 – Operations Management
• BUS 491 – Tour de Commerce
• BUS 630 – Decision Support Systems and Management Information Systems
• BUS 680 – Research Methodology
• BUS 681 – Project Management
• BUS 685 – Operations Management I
• BUS 686 – Operations Management II
• BUS 691 – Pioneering Technology Studies
• BUS 691 – Quality Management
• CSC 101 – Structured Programming
• CSC 102 – Object Oriented Programming
• CSC 133 – Survey of Computer Science
• CSC 190 – HTML and CSS
• CSC 203 – Software Engineering
• CSC 204 – Algorithms
• CSC 251 – Networking and Security
• CSC 311/CYB511/611 – Cyberethics
• CSC 363 – Database Systems
• CSC 441 – Project Management
• CYB354/554/654 – Cybersecurity
• CYB420/620 – Governance, Risk and Compliance
• HMN 491 – Disciplines of a Godly Man
• HMN 491 – How Then Should We Work
• HMN 491 – Money, Greed and God
• SSC 101 – Learning and Transition

Current Projects

Dr. Richards is leading the effort to gain National Security Administration recognition as a Center of Academic Excellence for our Cybersecurity programs. Dr. Richards is the founding director of Center for the Faithful Pursuit of Cybersecurity Excellence. This center seeks to serve our students, the college, and the community through a biblical approach to cybersecurity principles and practices.

Speaking Engagements

• Supply Chain Management and IT Procurement in the Air National Guard, University of Pittsburgh, Katz School of Business, Pittsburgh, PA
• IT Governance in the Air National Guard, Robert Morris University, School of Communications and Information Systems, Moon Township, PA
• Veteran’s Day Speaker, Robert Morris University, Moon Township, PA
• What are you doing for His Kingdom?, Bethel Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Enon Valley, PA
• What if Today is the Day?, Bethel Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Enon Valley, PA
• Life Matters, Center Presbyterian Church, Slippery Rock, PA

Affiliations, e.g., membership in professional organizations, etc.

• Technology Programs Advisory Board Member for the Community College of Beaver County
• Program Reviewer – Argosy University Online Programs, College of Arts and Sciences
• Alpha and Omega Center – President of the Board of Directors
• Business and Finance Committee of the Board of Trustees at Geneva College (previous)
• Delta Mu Delta International Honors Society of Business Board of Directors (previous)
• Christian Business Faculty Association (CBFA) (previous)
• Association of Computing Machinery (ACM) Special Interest Group for Computer Science Education (SIGCSE)
• Project Management Institute (PMI)
• International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC2)
• National Guard Association of the United States
• Pennsylvania National Guard Associations
• Reserve Officers Association
• Disabled American Veterans
• National Rifle Association

Miscellaneous, e.g., hobbies, sports, personal info, etc.

• Retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Cyber Operations Office with 28 years of services in cyber and training. Deployments to Egypt (′97), Iraq (′05), Guam (′06) and Afghanistan (′07).
• Married (Lisa) with three children (Reece, Peyton, Croix), three grandchildren (Edwin, Alivia, and Nora)
• Dr. Richards lives in Enon Valley, enjoys gardening, caring for horses and chickens. When He can find the time, he enjoys camping with his family. Dr. Richards has been active in coaching youth football, soccer, swimming and baseball for many years. He and his family are active members of Bethel Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Enon Valley, PA, where he serves as a Ruling Elder.