Legand Burge

Dr. Legand Burge is a distinguished professional in the field of Computer Science, serving as Professor, Executive Director of the Howard West Initiative, and former Chairman of the Department of Computer Science at Howard University. With a specialization in distributed computing, Dr. Burge is deeply engaged in Computer Science Education, Diversity, Tech Entrepreneurship, and Innovation. His research focuses on informal and personalized learning approaches, leveraging technology to facilitate the integration of underrepresented students in Computer Science, K-12 programs, and initiatives for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Dr. Burge is dedicated to implementing design thinking in his teaching methodology, promoting immersive and experiential learning. He co-teaches Bison Startup and Bison Accelerate courses, empowering students to navigate the complexities of founding technology startups. Dr. Burge is passionate about fostering innovation ecosystems at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), seeking to enhance revenue opportunities, student attraction, and preparation for contemporary skills. His leadership extends to directing the HowU Innovate Foundry, nurturing an average of 15 student-led tech startups annually. As a Lean Launchpad Educator and Stanford D-School Design Thinker, he co-founded XediaLabs, a DC-based incubation firm supporting local startups. Dr. Burge is a recognized authority in tech diversity and inclusion, celebrated with awards and distinctions, including being a Fellow of AAAS, recipient of the BEYA Innovation Award, and a Fulbright Scholar.