Jeff Forbes

Jeff Forbes - Member

Jeff Forbes is CRA’s Director of Broadening Participation in Computing Initiatives. Jeff works with CRA-WP and CRA’s artificial intelligence education projects to improve and broaden access to computer science and artificial intelligence education.

Prior to joining the CRA, from 2019-2025, he served as lead Program Director for the Education & Workforce program in the US National Science Foundation’s Directorate for Computer & Information Science & Engineering. In this role, he led federal efforts to support communities of educators and researchers involved in innovative approaches to develop a robust workforce well prepared for careers in tech. From 2001-2019, Jeff was on the faculty of Duke University where he was an Associate Professor of the Practice of Computer Science. He received his BS and PhD in computer science from Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley, respectively.

Our Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors provides visionary leadership and steadfast governance to ensure BootUp’s mission and long-term sustainability. Representing a broad range of professional expertise and lived experiences, they guide organizational strategy, safeguard accountability, and champion our commitment to equitable, high-quality computer science and AI education in every community nationwide. “What about students who never would be exposed to coding? It has to be a core subject and it has to be done in elementary school.” Ari Ioannides, Founder of BootUp, Treasurer