Dakota State University students walking around campus

Preparation + opportunity = success

That's the DSU equation. We're a four-year university with nationally recognized programs, cutting-edge facilities, and the brightest thinkers. But we're also a tight-knit, inclusive community. Small class sizes mean hands-on training and individualized attention. All this with an affordable, public school price that's among the best values in the region.

Majors & Degrees

Search

Popular searches

smiling woman

Is DSU the right fit for you?

Even the best brochures and postcards (and yes, even websites) can only tell you so much about a college. The only surefire way to know if DSU is right for you is to see for yourself.

Visit DSU

Home ― Directory ― John Hastings

John Hastings

John Hastings

John Hastings

Professor

Department

The Beacom College of Computer & Cyber Sciences

Education

Ph.D., Computer Science, University of Wyoming
M.S., Computer Science, University of Wyoming
B.S., Computer Science, University of Wyoming

Biography

Dr. John Hastings has nearly 35 years of teaching and curriculum development experience in computer science related courses at both the undergraduate and graduate level.

Dr. Hastings also has several years of industry experience as an artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) software engineer, team leader, and as a business owner providing AI/ML consulting services.

Contact

Office Location: Remote
Email

He has developed and taught a variety of highly effective, engaging and hands-on core computer science courses including: programming languages, data structures & analysis of algorithms, software engineering, automata and formal languages, enterprise application development, discrete structures, computer graphics, mobile app development, artificial intelligence, & operating systems.

Dr. Hastings’ teaching goals include connecting with students through an active learning approach, challenging students to reach their full potential, relating his experiences to students, and helping them succeed beyond graduation.

Dr. Hastings’ research focuses on machine learning and artificial intelligence including natural language processing (LLMs), generative AI, computer vision, ecological and environmental applications of AI, AI in games, and gamification in computer science education.

He has won several awards related to his research including an Innovative Applications of Artificial Intelligence (IAAI) award from the preeminent AI organization AAAI (Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence), an International IPM (Integrated Pest Management) Award for Excellence related to the development and deployment of the AI tool CARMA, a best paper award, and a Faculty Mentoring of Undergraduate Student Research Award.

25+ peer-reviewed papers at prestigious conferences and journals.