Alumnus Timothy Holston has returned to UM to be an instructional assistant professor and assistant chair in the Department of Computer and Information Science. Photo by Christian Johnson/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services
Timothy Holston was a tenured professor at Mississippi Valley State University when he realized that he was not ready to coast on his accomplishments on his way to retirement. The Itta Bena native’s unrest led him to join the Department of Computer and Information Science at the University of Mississippi.
“I decided to accept the position at Ole Miss because I was at a crossroads in my life,” said Holston, an instructional assistant professor and assistant chair in CIS. “I could have stayed where I was in a tenured position, which was comfortable at that particular point in time. I needed a change.”
Dawn Wilkins, chair and professor of computer and information science, said Holston brings much to UM students and faculty within the department.
“Dr. Holston brings with him a wealth of experience, including classroom experience, mentoring students, obtaining funding to support students and working with our accreditation organization,” Wilkins said. “With his quick smile and a friendly attitude, he has fit in nicely into the department.”
Holston earned his bachelor’s degree in computer science and mathematics from MVSU. He received his master’s and Ph.D. in computer science from Ole Miss. He worked at MVSU for 15 years before joining the UM faculty in fall 2019.
“I often tell people that – for the most part – I’ve lived in only two places: Itta Bena and Oxford,” Holston said.
Holston has taught courses in programming sequence, software engineering, artificial intelligence and models of computation. His primary interest is in computer science education and how to make computer science more accessible to those who are underrepresented in the discipline.
“My short-term goal is to get through COVID-19 healthy and to create materials for students to grasp concepts in alternative methods of content delivery,” he said. “I also want to acquire funding that will aid in one of my long-term goals of improving the rate that people from underrepresented groups are completing computer science degrees.”
Though his courses are challenging, Holston related that an international female student, who had recently graduated, wrote to him and spoke of how one of those courses had prepared her for her job.
“She spoke of how, while she was in the course, I wouldn’t compromise what material and what level she and other students had to acquire to successfully complete my course,” he said. “During that time, she didn’t understand its purpose. Now that she was in her career, she knew the material from my courses, and she respected the manner in which I ensured they learned the required material.”
Holston’s family includes his three maternal siblings: Two live around Itta Bena, and one lives in Dallas. His paternal siblings live in several different places.
“My mom still lives in my hometown and retired this year,” Holston said. “I am trying to convince her to move to Oxford, but she doesn’t want to sell her house just yet.”
A self-proclaimed bit of a recluse during these times, Holston said he enjoys sitting at home and watching Netflix.
“When in normal times, I am most enjoying time around family and taking trips when my schedule permits,” he said. “The one thing I miss is the ability to enjoy a nice good game of spades or pluck. I haven’t found any spades or pluck players in Oxford.”