Jon Craton

Education

Master of Science in Computer Science

• Dakota State University, 2020

Master of Arts in Higher Education and Student Development

• Taylor University, 2012

Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering

• Taylor University, 2010

Software, Engineering, and Design

Software Engineering Consultant (2009 - Present)

• Collaborated with clients to design software and learn from data to meet a wide variety of business needs
• Created software using a variety of technologies including Python, HTML5, CSS3, Javascript, SQL, C, C++, Go, and Rust
• Implemented full-stack hardware and software solutions ranging from embedded systems and low-level data signaling to real-time web-based applications

LEGO Design Consultant (2013 - Present)

• Produced interactive educational projects for children
• Designed over 80 alternate models for existing LEGO sets, including one that was requested and supported directly by The LEGO Group
• Selected as one of 30 fan designers globally to participate in LEGO Remake
• Served as the LEGO Ambassador for Bricks Stack Exchange, the world's largest LEGO Q&A site

Software Engineer at Interactive Intelligence in Indianapolis, IN (2012 - 2013)

• Led a team of six in designing a new realtime communication product from the ground up
• Fixed over 100 bugs in legacy ASP.NET applications
• Used JavaScript, node.js, AngularJS, bootstrap, phantomjs, and many other technologies to lead design of a new product
• Received employee of the month commendation

Co-founder of ion43, LLC in Upland, IN (2009 - 2010)

• Placed in the top 5 out of 30 at a regional business plan competition
• "Pivoted" to a more traditional career after learning many valuable lessons

Student Network Engineer at Taylor University in Upland, IN (2006 - 2010)

• Configured and deployed Cisco and HP networking hardware
• Investigated new technologies that could be implemented to improve institutional effectiveness
• Worked with students, faculty, and staff to determine the nature of problems and find solutions

Logos Hope Project Worker at Operation Mobilization in Split, Croatia (Summer 2007)

• Installed and configured networking hardware including switches, routers, servers, and cameras
• Overcame cultural barriers to work with a group of 80 individuals from more than 10 countries
• Implemented systems to mediate real-time onboard and ship-to-ship communication

Teaching

Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Anderson University in Anderson, IN (2019 - Present)

• Chaired Computer Science department and oversaw curriculum for computer science, data science, cybersecurity, and business information systems
• Created major in data science
• Oversaw implementation of the Center for Security Studies and Cyber Defense
• Served as data scientist advising key stakeholders on admissions and financial decisions

Graduate Assistant for Online Learning in at Taylor University in Fort Wayne, IN (2010 - 2012)

• Organized assessment effort for online programs
• Served as a member of a faculty task force charged with forming the future role of online learning
• Implemented reporting and dashboard system to assess student and department performance

Adjunct Faculty at Ivy Tech Community College in Fort Wayne, IN (Fall 2011)

• Facilitated learning for 50 students in two computer courses
• Taught topics ranging from basic computer concepts to Microsoft Office
• Leveraged Blackboard discussion boards to engage students outside of class

Adjunct Faculty at Taylor University in Upland, IN (Fall 2010)

• Led discussion groups for freshmen students
• Created syllabi, assignments, and course curriculum
• Developed strategies to facilitate active participation and student involvement

Student Affairs

Assistant Director of Student Organizations in Houghton, NY (2016 - 2019)

• Advised over 30 campus clubs and organizations on topics ranging from facilitating student learning to wise stewardship of funds
• Oversaw all club spending and budgets
• Served as data scientist advising stakeholders on student retention

Assistant Director of Housing at Houghton College in Houghton, NY (2014 - 2016)

• Implemented strategies to ensure correct and efficient housing of 900 residential college students
• Communicated with students and parents to ensure that residential living arrangements contributed to the educational experience
• Created reports in SSRS and SQL to provide meaningful and secure access to data stored in our student records system (PowerCAMPUS)

Resident Director at Houghton College in Houghton, NY (2013 - 2019)

• Engaged and developed students holistically both individually and through larger programs
• Facilitated a learning environment where students were able to grow and succeed in their college experience
• Developed staff through weekly meetings and individual one-on-one engagements

InterVarsity Intern at Indiana University-Purdue University in Fort Wayne, IN (2011 - 2012)

• Worked with approximately 30 international students of various faiths and beliefs
• Led a discussion group and Bible study focusing on student spiritual development

Resident Assistant at Taylor University in Upland, IN (2009 - 2010)

• Created student programs to promote learning and growth
• Directly managed discipline issues ranging from policy violations to alcohol issues and moral failures
• Handled situations involving student crisis from injury to interpersonal conflict

Open Source

• Received PALNI Open Educator Award for using open educational resources to lower the cost of education for my students.

Primary contributor

• languagemodels - Explore large language models on any computer with 512MB of RAM
• Box Line Text - Intuitive and clean virtual whiteboarding application
• ConnectionGrammar - Python package for computational design synthesis that models connections between objects as context-free grammar utterances
• Electronic Chaos System - Firmware and PC control software for sweeping and monitoring chaotic circuits (demo)
• catdocx - Instantly view docx files as text
• BWMetaAI - StarCraft AI mod that required reverse engineering a proprietary multi-threaded bytecode interpreter

Bug fixes, features, and issues

• micro - Text editor in Go
• tagspaces - Local file tagging and management application using Electron
• rclone - rsync for cloud services

Presentations, Publications, and Software

• Craton, J. (2023). Exploiting Memory Corruption to Upgrade AI Opponents in a Classic RTS Game. Symposium on Games. Ball State University.
• Craton, J. (2023). languagemodels: Explore large language models on any computer with 512MB of RAM .
• Craton, J. (2020). Box Line Text: Simple Virtual Whiteboarding.
• Craton, J. (2019). Connection Grammar: Using Context-free Grammars to Synthesize Constructions of Interconnected Objects. Faculty Colloquium. Anderson University.
• Craton, J. (2019). pyastsim: A Tool for Detecting Similarity and Plagiarism between Source Code Assignment Submissions.
• Craton, J. (2019). Soar, Raven, Soar: Game Design Activities for High School Students.
• Craton, J. (2017). Rebrickable SQLite: An SQLite Data Set of all LEGO Elements, Sets, and Themes for Educational Labs and Demonstrations
• Craton, J. (2014). Engaging Students Through eSports. ACSD Conference Presentation.
• Technical reviewer for: Yerrid, K.C. (2013). Instant Netcat Starter. Birmingham: Packt Pub.
• Craton, J. (2012). Engaging students online: Examining academic challenge and student-faculty interaction. Master's Thesis.
• Craton, J. (2011). The effect of videogames on student achievement. Koinania.
• Brooks, T., Plato, K., Hood, F., Craton, J., Althoff, R. (2010) Feel free fitness. Business concept competition presentation at I-69 Collegiate Innovation Challenge in Plymouth, IN.
• Palmer, Z., Shields, T. & Craton, J. (2010). An Introduction to the Electronic Chaos System. Poster session presented at Taylor University, Upland, IN.
• Shields, T., Palmer, Z. & Craton, J. (2010). Software architecture of the Electronic Chaos System. Poster session presented at Taylor University, Upland, IN.
• Palmer, Z., Shields, T. & Craton, J. (2010). Hardware design of the Electronic Chaos System. Poster session presented at Taylor University, Upland, IN.
• Henry, M., Craton, J., Heinlein, R. (2009). Rethinking learning management. Business plan competition presentation at Taylor University, Upland, IN.
• Brocker, M., & Craton, J. (2009). Interfacing with the CAN bus to obtain PRNDL data. Poster session presented at Taylor University, Upland, IN.
• Shields, T., Brocker, M., Mitchell, T., May, T & Craton, J. (2008). Room Temperature Quantum Conductance. Poster session presented at Taylor University, Upland, IN.
• Craton, J. & Isaacson, M. (2007). Tracking a high-altitude balloons using GPS and text to speech. Poster session presented at Taylor University, Upland, IN.

Conferences

• Association of Christians in Student Development (2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017)
• Association for the Study of Higher Education (2010)
• Indiana College Network (2010)
• National Student Leadership Conference (2009)
• International Conference on Computing and Mission (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009)

My complete CV is available at joncraton.org/cv