Faculty

Adjunct Professor

Biography

Jeff Boleman has been an Adjunct Professor in Computer Science at Concordia University Irvine since 2021. He holds M.S. and B.S. degrees in Computer Science from Metropolitan State University in Minnesota. His 25+ year background includes high performance computing (HPC), Unix/Linux operating systems, networking, high performance storage, Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), and Artificial Intelligence (AI). He has published multiple papers on cloud computing related topics. He has worked for IBM since 2011 and currently holds the position of Principal Product Manager for a cloud IaaS service.

Adjunct Professor

Biography

Phil Burtis is blessed and grateful for the opportunity to be an Adjunct Professor in Computer Science at Concordia University Irvine since 2021. He graduated with a BSEE from Iowa State University majoring in guidance and control systems. He spent over a decade in the aerospace world working on projects such as missiles for the Air Force, torpedoes for the Navy, and a helicopter avionic system for the Army. One of his projects is in the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum in DC and two are still in use today. He then spent another decade going mini-computer hardware and software systems used in business, and then another two decades developing software models of natural hazards such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods, the latter being incorporated into the FEMA HAZUS program. “Behold, I will do a new thing” from Isaiah 43:19 is a fitting verse that helped lead him to Concordia.

Associate Professor of Mathematics

Biography

As an undergraduate, Dr. Croll participated annually in the Carleton College Summer Mathematics Program for Women, which encourages women who are gifted in mathematics to pursue higher degrees. Professor Croll’s doctoral research area was in commutative algebra. In particular, her interests lie in homological algebra, maximal Cohen-Macaulay modules, and Gorenstein rings. Her non-mathematics hobbies include biking, traveling, reading, and playing with her cats.

Education

• University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Ph.D. 2013

Adjunct Professor

Biography

Brian Hart is honored to be a part of the Computer Science Department at Concordia University Irvine. He joined the team in 2019 as an Adjunct Faculty member. He earned a BS in Christian Ministries from Indiana Wesleyan University and an MA in Apologetics from Biola University. His studies also include Engineering courses from Oakland University and coding instruction at UCI. Brian has a combined total of more than 15 years of experience teaching an array of subjects including Web Design, Algebra, Physics, Robotics, and Bible. His career path transitioned from teaching to web development in 2017. Brian is currently a full time web developer for Fuller Theological Seminary. When he is not coding, he is spending time with his family or playing hockey.

Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Department Chair

Biography

Professor Julie Melberg joined the Concordia mathematics faculty in 2010, after teaching high school mathematics for several years. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics degree from Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio; her Master of Arts in Mathematics degree from California State Fullerton and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Mathematics Education from Curtin University. Professor Melberg enjoys teaching mathematics at Concordia University Irvine, teaching Core Mathematics classes as well as courses for the Mathematics major. Her teaching and research focus on inquiry-based learning and encouraging students to develop life-long thinking skills.

Education

• California State University, Fullerton, M.A. 2000

Professor of Mathematics

“I felt very motivated when I came back to Concordia [to teach],” Dr. Melinda Schulteis says. "I wanted to connect students to local and national mathematics conferences so they could get research experiences as undergraduates.” Dr. Schulteis is proud that Concordia University Irvine now regularly takes students to mathematics conferences as participants and speakers.

Education

• University of California Irvine, Ph.D. 2004

Assistant Professor of Computer Science & Program Director

Biography

Professor Joshua Tallman joined the Concordia University faculty in 2019 as part of the Computer Science Department. He holds a Master's degree in Computer Science from Johns Hopkins University with a BA in Computer Engineering. Professor Tallman has 15+ years of experience working as a programmer and analyst in the field of computer security. He has held positions within the Department of Defense working in Maryland, Germany, and the United Kingdom, as well as working as an independent contractor for Dragos, Inc., a company specializing in security for Industrial Control Systems. Professor Tallman wants his students to understand their study and vocation as a means for advancing the Great Commission. He strives to make learning and work as enjoyable as possible.

Education & Technical Skills

Master of Science in Computer Science - John Hopkins University (2009)
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering - University of Pacific (2004)

• Programming in Windows/Unix environments with C/C++/C#, Python
• Microsoft Win32 system level programming and x86/64 assembly
• Code analysis with WinDbg, IDAPro, and other custom analysis tools