About
About Johnathan Yerby
Dr. Yerby is a cybersecurity educator, researcher, and academic leader whose professional background spans higher education, cybersecurity, information technology, systems administration, project management, consulting, and regulated business environments.
At Mercer University, he teaches and develops courses across undergraduate and graduate cybersecurity pathways. He directs the Cybersecurity Program and the Center for Cyber Outreach, Research, and Education, serves as Mercer’s CAE institutional point of contact, and he mentors students through research, internships, certifications, competitions, and graduate thesis work.
Before joining Mercer in 2021, he served at Middle Georgia State University, including as Department Chair and tenured Associate Professor of Information Technology. His work there included curriculum and program leadership, faculty and staff supervision, applied networking and digital-forensics laboratories, workforce partnerships, advising, and cybersecurity education.
Education and Academic Background
- Ph.D. in Instructional Technology
- Master of Business Administration
- Master of Management Information Systems
- Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
Professional Interests
- Cybersecurity education and workforce development
- Privacy, surveillance, and technology governance
- Digital forensics and cyber experimentation
- Governance, risk, compliance, law, and ethics
- Curriculum and academic-program development
- Student research and professional mentoring
- Public cybersecurity education and outreach
Approach
Across teaching, scholarship, and service, his work emphasizes practical learning, clear communication, professional judgment, and the responsible use of technology. He is particularly interested in work that connects academic programs with student opportunity, public understanding, and professional practice.