Joseph Mertz

Professor Mertz teaches project-based courses that place students in consulting roles with real clients, emphasizing technical excellence, collaboration, communication, and ethical decision-making. He is a long-time lead instructor for the Information Systems Consulting Project capstone and has developed and taught a wide range of undergraduate and graduate courses in information systems, distributed systems, technology consulting, and technology for global and community development. Through his courses, students work with nonprofit organizations, schools, startups, and government agencies on applied technology projects that address authentic organizational needs. Over his career, he has advised hundreds of student consulting engagements across diverse domains, fostering leadership, intercultural competence, and professional readiness through hands-on, community-engaged learning.