Joe Scherrer joined the Sever Institute of Professional and Continuing Studies as an adjunct instructor teaching cryptography in 2014. In 2016, he formulated a strategic roadmap to move the School of Engineering and Applied Science forward on the national stage in cybersecurity education and research. He assumed the graduate studies Program Director position in 2017 and is currently the Executive Director of the Sever Institute.

Scherrer is the founder and president of The Leadership Forge, an executive leadership coaching and strategy development consulting firm. He served 24 years in the U.S. Air Force, rising to the rank of Colonel and serving four overseas deployments. He commanded five units at the wing, group, and squadron levels focusing on IT operations, communications, and cybersecurity in peacetime and wartime environments.