Current Bio
Andrew J. Ryan, “Dru,” joins the Center for Teaching and
Learning (CTL) after managing the Technology Training and Learning
Resources Group in the Center for
Professional and Organizational Development (CPOD). In his
present role as the Coordinator for CTL, Andrew looks forward to
working with faculty to bring emerging technologies into the
classroom. Among his interests are the use
of Web 2.0 technologies (podcasting, social networking, and wikis)
and the use of video games in the classroom.
Andrew is an adjunct faculty member at the University
of the District of Columbia and George
Mason University. He has taught courses in math, multimedia
studies, and hip-hop studies. Andrew also teaches a blended course on
hip-hop and is currently developing it as a fully online class. In
addition to his work at the university level, Andrew has taught math at
the high school and middle school levels and spent three years of
Saturday mornings working with high school students as part of a
college readiness program at the .
Professionally, Andrew spent over 10 years in industry working on Wall
St. with Chase Manhattan Bank in its technology unit. He has also done
aviation research with Boeing, IBM, Lockheed Martin, the FAA and NASA.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Binghamton
University (State University of New York), a master’s degree in
Systems Engineering (George Mason University), and expects to finish
his PhD in Instructional Technology in 2014.
Bio (2007-8)
Andrew "Dru" Ryan is currently the Manager of Technology Training at
Montgomery College, recently named one of the top 10 community
Colleges in the United States by the New York Times. Prior to
this experience, Dru Ryan spent over 10 years in IT and aviation
research. His experience includes working on Wall St with JP
Morgan/Chase in their technology unit to research projects with
Boeing, IBM, Lockheed Martin, the FAA and NASA. Beyond
research and development, Dru's duties included leading
cross-functional teams, creating and delivering computer based
training for air traffic controllers and airline operators and writing
computer code for various projects. Dru has also
worked as a consultant for the United States Patent Office as a
technology trainer, a math curriculum writer for an online
education firm and a video game tester for Sega of America.
Academically, Ryan has taught at the college level for nearly a decade
at George Mason University and the University of the District of
Columbia. His course offerings include Internet and Multimedia Studies,
statistics, and several interdisciplinary courses on Hip-Hop
Studies. Many of Dru's courses have used a blended approach,
where online and classroom learning are both used to satisfy course
requirements. Dru also has experience in K-12 -- teaching math,
technology and music to middle and high school students, and is
currently the project coordinator for the University of
Maryland’s high school Gear-Up Program.
Dru holds a bachelor's degree in computer science from SUNY-
Binghamton, a master's degree in systems engineering with a
concentration
in computer-based systems from George Mason University and is currently
pursuing his PhD in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of
Maryland at College Park. He has published several scholarly
articles in the fields of aviation, knowledge management, and group
decision making and has been quoted locally by the Washington Post and
Washington Times and as far away as Brazil and Australia.
Ryan is a well-traveled speaker, below is a partial list of colleges he
has presented: The College of William and Mary, the University of
Illinois at Chicago, University of Wisconsin, Fordham University,
Villanova University, Texas Tech, University of Texas at Austin,
university of California, University of Maryland at College Park,
Georgetown University, American University, Howard University, Temple
University, and Lyndon State College (Vermont).
Pre- 2007 Bio
Andrew J. Ryan was
raised in the Bronx, New York. After graduating from the School of Hard
Knocks, which is afforded to most residents of the famed borough, Ryan
went on to receive a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Master
of Science in Systems Engineering from the State University of New York at Binghamton and George Mason University respectively. Ryan is
currently an adjunct professor at George Mason University (GMU) where
he teaches courses in multimedia studies and Hip-Hop culture. His first
class on Hip-Hop, Beats, Rhyme, and Culture, was the first class on
the subject to be taught at GMU. This spring, Ryan plans to take
Hip-Hop on-line, teaching Black
Voices in Hip-Hop via the Internet. The course will focus on the
socio-political climate which set the stage for the birth of Hip-Hop,
as well as the critical first ten years of the movement. Ryan also
works full-time as a research analyst for an aviation consulting firm
while pursuing his Instructional
Technology at GMU.
Ryan remains active in his community. He founded a male youth group
in the Bronx at age 17 and has organized a similar group for minority
engineers Arlington, Virginia. He often speaks
to youth at local schools and civic groups. He has also spoken on
various topics at many universities, including: Villanova, The George
Washington University, Texas Tech, and Fordham University.
With formal training in computer science and engineering, Ryan's
expansive research interests encompass decision making,
contemporary Afrikan-American history (1960-present), and Hip-Hop
culture. His most recent paper: "Rationality
and the Afrikan-American Male" explores decision making from an
Afrikan-American male point of view. His
work on Tupac Shakur attempts to shed light on the man whom Ryan
descricbes as: "The most influential figure of his generation." His
essay "Tupac Shakur: Keepingit Real vs. Keeping it Right"
appears in the Fall 2001 edition of Doula:
The Journal of Rap and Hip-Hop Culture.
Currently, Ryan is the editor in Chief of the Journal of
Hip-Hop and executive director of a non-profit, Hip-Hop Matters.