“We don’t teach you to build or dismantle the car; we teach you to drive it, check the oil, and perform basic maintenance. With today’s user-friendly tools, even beginners can achieve impressive results.”

At NOVA, Ryan Ammons fulfills diverse roles as Associate Professor, ITD Discipline Chair, and AI & Data Analytics Coordinator. His multifaceted background spans chemistry, law, information technology, and computer science, providing him with a unique perspective. He is also the founder of Ammons Data Solutions and has served in executive positions such as Director of DevOps and Chief Technology Officer.

Ryan’s fascination with computer programming began at age 11. By high school, he was already doing contract work, funding extracurricular activities and personal expenses. During college, his programming skills financed summer trips to Germany.

His professional journey started in database management, overseeing large, structured information systems. "Moving into analytics and machine learning felt natural," he shares. "These fields leverage vast amounts of information to build predictive models, classify data, or deliver actionable insights."

A pivotal moment came when Ryan co-taught a course at NOVA, sparking his interest in academia. This led him to pursue a Master of Science in Software Engineering at George Mason University. He joined NOVA as an adjunct professor in 2017 and transitioned to a full-time faculty position by 2019.

To stay ahead in the dynamic field of Information Engineering Technology (IET), Ryan takes on contract work. One notable project involves the nonprofit Black and Missing Foundation. He designed a database system that automates processes like creating missing person posters and simplifying report submissions. By integrating machine learning, he’s enhancing photo quality and cropping tools, enabling the foundation to respond more swiftly in critical cases.

“This project is a clear example of applying what I’ve learned in academia and the industry,” he notes.

Additionally, he collaborates with a Fairfax-based business on tools for family caregivers. Their platform organizes health updates, tracks medications, and streamlines communication, replacing disorganized files and group chats with a centralized system.

Ryan emphasizes that NOVA’s AI and Data Analytics curriculum doesn’t require a technical background. The program covers foundational concepts such as statistics, probability, and data preparation. Students gain hands-on experience through practical projects, learning to identify trends, analyze quality, and work with diverse datasets.

"It’s not traditional coding. Instead of writing software like an engineer, you’re using framework resources. Picture it this way: a software engineer builds the hammer, and you use it to drive the nail. You don’t need to know how the hammer was made—just how to use it effectively,” he explains.

Graduates are equipped for entry-level analytics roles, particularly at small to midsize companies, where tasks include data conversion, trend analysis, and predictive modeling.

As a member of the AWS Educator National Enablement Board, Ryan supports initiatives to introduce AI and machine learning to underserved institutions. NOVA also partners with Google, allowing students to earn the Google AI Essentials certificate through Coursera. Additional certifications, such as CompTIA Data+, Microsoft Azure Machine Learning, and AWS Artificial Intelligence, enhance career prospects.

Ryan highlights the program’s affordability, active advisory board, and endorsements from organizations like the United States Marines. “My goal is to empower students to harness data, uncover trends, and drive impactful decisions,” he says.