Dr. Gipson earned his Ph.D. in Polymer and Fiber Science from Clemson University in 2011, and joined the JMU Department of Engineering soon after. As Director of the MadE Leadership Program, Dr. Gipson regularly teaches courses on Leadership Theory and Practice, with the goal of developing a community of learners that engenders respect, fosters excellence, promotes collaboration, inspires generosity, and encourages life-long learning. The MadE Leadership Program is currently in its third year of preparing students to become effective, ethical, and empathetic leaders in professional settings.