Dr. Pedrito Maynard-Zhang (he/him) joined Bellevue College’s Computer Science Department in 2026. He earned his doctorate and master’s degrees in computer science (CS) from Stanford University, with a specialization in artificial intelligence (AI), and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Walla Walla University.
He taught CS for four years as an Assistant Professor at Miami University of Ohio where he developed his love for teaching. After moving back to the West Coast, he worked in industry (Amazon and Microsoft) for over 20 years, fifteen as a Software Development Engineer specializing in AI-related problems. Most recently, he was a Sr. Research Scientist on the Amazon Community Impact team where he led research & evaluation for programs like Amazon Future Engineer, Amazon’s philanthropic CS education and careers initiative.
His professional career and lived experience as a child of Jamaican immigrants fuel a passion for promoting equitable access to CS/AI/STEM education and careers for all young people. As such, he serves on the Boards of Directors for non-profits Washington STEM and Institute for Advancing Computing Education.
Outside of work, he enjoys practicing traditional Chinese martial arts, reading speculative fiction, playing guitar, riding his motorcycle as his primary mode of transportation, and spending time with his wife and two young-adult children.
