Dr. Jan Pearce founded both Berea's Department of Computer Science and Berea's major in Computer and Information Science. She has been dedicated to helping students learn to develop tools for improving our world for more than three decades. She is the recipient of numerous honors and awards including: Fulbright 2022; Clare Boothe Luce, 2016; Brushy Fork Bob Menefee Service Award, 2011; and the Mathematical Association of America Allendoerfer Prize, 2001. She has published four interactive computer science textbooks on Runestone Academy, and she has conference and journal publications in several areas including swarm robotics, environmental modeling, broadening participation in computer science, and computer science education. When not working, she enjoys hiking with her husband and teaching and performing social dances with a performance dance troupe for which she also serves as president.