Greenville University launched Computer Information Systems program
Published: December 01, 2025
Author: Dave Bell
Photo by Dave Bell
After working as a computer programmer for most of his career and teaching online computer classes for the past 20 years, Professor Grant Trudel was asked to launch a computer information systems program at Greenville University this fall.
In that program, students completed 14 core courses and then chose additional courses to follow a track in either cybersecurity or artificial intelligence (AI).
“This was a hot field,” Trudel said, “and we wanted to make courses on artificial intelligence and cybersecurity available to our students. But as we trained them to use these tools, we also wanted to explore what it looked like to be a Christian in the technology world.”
The reason for caution, Trudel explained, was that he wanted GU grads to be prepared to negotiate the ethical hurdles inherent with AI.
“AI could be a dangerous tool,” Trudel said. “It could do a lot, but it ignored the ethical side of an issue – it wanted to take shortcuts. As a result, we extensively discussed doing things ethically and with integrity.
“On the security side,” he added, “we felt that there would be a strong market for people who could help companies deal with the increasing security challenges they faced.”
Photo by Dave Bell
As the program launched, students took a combination of CIS core courses and specific courses for each track. The core courses included Programming, Data Structures, World Wide Web Programming, Database Management, and Ethical Issues in Information Technology. Additionally, the core curriculum included business-related courses like Business Management, Business Information Systems, and Managing Technical People.
Students selected a track in cybersecurity or artificial intelligence and enrolled in other courses specific to their chosen track.
To start, Trudel was the only in-person professor, with two adjunct professors teaching online courses. He introduced new classes as enrollment increased.
“So far, the response from prospective students has been very positive,” Trudel said. “They especially liked the integration of technology, ethics, and faith. We emphasized experiential learning and GU’s core values of character and service. When we sent our graduates into the workforce, we wanted them to be technically proficient but also trustworthy and ethical.”
Practical experience was essential in the tech industry, and Trudel said he collaborated with regional companies to offer internships for CIS students.
