Jimmy Foulds

Jimmy Foulds is the Graduate Program Director for the Online Master of Science program in the Department of Information Systems at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). He holds a Ph.D. and is a full-time faculty member in the College of Engineering and Information Technology. His research focuses on socially conscious AI, aiming to address fairness, privacy, and ethical implications of machine learning systems. He is committed to advancing online education to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving tech landscape.

Dr. Foulds emphasizes the importance of online programs in providing flexibility for working professionals. He leads efforts to expand course offerings in AI, cybersecurity, data science, and UX design, including new certificate programs that allow students to specialize without completing a full degree. His teaching includes a new introductory AI course covering search algorithms, Bayesian networks, and reinforcement learning.

In his research, he addresses societal biases in AI systems and develops privacy-preserving machine learning techniques. He collaborates with tenure-track faculty and industry experts to maintain the program's rigorous, student-centered standards. UMBC’s R1 research designation ensures high-quality instruction aligned with on-campus programs.

Dr. Foulds aims to grow the program while maintaining academic excellence, recognizing the need for upskilling in the tech workforce. He advocates for human-centered AI design to ensure technology serves society equitably.