Gregory D. DeYong is the new director of the SIU Carbondale’s Pontikes Center for Advanced Analytics and Artificial Intelligence. (Photo by Russell Bailey)
October 09, 2026
Gregory DeYong named director of SIU Carbondale’s Pontikes Center
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Gregory D. DeYong sees a natural progression in expanding the mission of Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Pontikes Center for Advanced Analytics and Artificial Intelligence.
Building upon the center’s strengths of providing students with hands-on experiences that meld research, artificial intelligence (AI) and analytics, DeYong wants the center to further its AI footprint, along with outreach and faculty and research collaborations.
DeYong said he’s honored he was named director of the virtual center — a unit within the College of Business and Analytics — in August. He has been with SIU Carbondale since 2013 as an associate professor of operations management. Prior to coming to SIU, he had 15 years of industry experience where he worked as an import/export manager.
DeYong replaces Jim Nelson, who retired.
Kevin Sylwester, acting dean, noted that DeYong is also director of the college’s supply chain and logistics centers.
“By directing both, he can leverage synergies between the two centers,” he said. “We are excited to see in what directions Greg will lead the Pontikes Center.”
Marc Morris, dean of the College of Business and Analytics and interim co-provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, said DeYong’s is well positioned to lead the center into its next phase.
“Greg’s appointment comes at an important point in the evolution of the Pontikes Center. We have built a strong academic foundation in analytics, and the next opportunity is to translate that strength into broader impact through applied AI, interdisciplinary research and deeper engagement with industry,” Morris said. “Greg brings the academic expertise, industry experience and entrepreneurial mindset to help make the Center a place where students, faculty and external partners come together to solve meaningful problems and create new opportunities.”
‘A good turning point’
Emphasis for the Pontikes Center has focused on developing curriculum and launching the bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in business analytics. Now, the emphasis can turn to making industry connections and promoting faculty research in analytics and AI.
“If we are ever going to turn to an AI focus there was no better time than today,” DeYong said. “The other big thing we are interested in pivoting toward is more of an outreach and getting much more of a visible presence on and off campus. We have a lot to do so it’s a great time to be involved.”
DeYong noted that much like when folks were “dabbling” with the internet and sending emails across the world, the same holds true with AI.
“That is the way tech stuff often starts,” he said.
DeYong spent time at a recent college fair on campus earlier this semester talking with companies about AI, asking about their expectations on what students need to know about AI and the pitfalls to avoid.
“It is on our strategic radar to reach out to as many employers, partners and other stakeholders to understand what our students need to know about AI in the real world,”
DeYong is also working to bring AI workshops and speakers to campus.
No borders
As a virtual center with no walls, there are no borders.
“It’s nice to not be limited,” DeYong said. “We have functioned as a virtual center and plan to continue. That goes right along with the technology of analytics and AI.”
DeYong wants to offer the center as a clearinghouse and repertoire or reservoir of AI knowledge, tools and contacts, along with serving as an example of what other centers can do.
He is also a strong proponent of the Saluki Hub, a project originating with Morris. The idea is to establish the Saluki Hub as home to the Pontikes Center, the Business Intelligence Center, Logistics and Supply Chain Center and more in a dedicated research space near SIU’s Illinois Small Business Incubator on campus.
“We are going to be entrepreneurial. We are going to try to help the rest of the university be more entrepreneurial to; get out there and make things happen,” he said.