Growing up in a trailer with hardworking parents who did not go to college, the odds of earning a degree and breaking out of poverty seemed stacked against Rob Hedgpeth. 

But the first-generation college student from Rogersville, Missouri, and alumnus of Missouri State University, found a way. Thanks to his parents’ unwavering belief in the power of education, supportive people who came alongside him and his determination, Hedgpeth has carved a successful career in technology.  

“To me, success means being able to provide my family with opportunities and support so they can achieve their dreams,” Hedgpeth said.  

“Growing up, I didn’t have much, but the education I received at MSU changed the trajectory of my life and empowered me to build a brighter future for myself and my family. Seeing how far we’ve come is a constant reminder of the value of determination, education and the people who believe in you.” 

A new venture in tech education 

Since graduating from Missouri State in 2007 with his bachelor’s degree in computer science, Hedgpeth has gone on to work at companies like Maria DB, Bitrise and DraftKings. He is currently a principal architect in AI at Microsoft and pursuing a master’s degree in engineering management at the University of Kansas. 

“As a principal architect with the power apps interface team at Microsoft, my role focuses on driving innovation through ‘Intelligent Apps’ powered by Copilot and Generative AI,” Hedgpeth said. 

“I work at the intersection of cutting-edge technology and user experience, designing solutions that help people achieve more with AI. It’s a challenging and exciting opportunity to shape the future of how people interact with technology.” 

As of October 2024, Hedgpeth can add franchisee and small business owner to his name. He and his wife, Tracy, signed an agreement to open a new Code Ninjas location in Nixa, Missouri, where they now live. It is expected to open in spring 2025. 

Code Ninjas is an educational program designed to teach children ages 5-15 how to code through interactive, game-based lessons.  

Hedgpeth notes he and his wife decided to take the entrepreneurial leap and focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education for kids because they wanted to make coding more accessible and engaging for young learners, particularly in underserved communities like Nixa. 

“The beauty of Code Ninjas is we’re teaching kids not just how to code, but how to think critically, solve problems and build confidence in their abilities,” he said. “This is a skillset they’ll carry with them for the rest of their lives, whether they choose to work in tech or any other field.” 

Hedgpeth sees this Code Ninjas franchise as an opportunity to inspire and empower local children to pursue STEM-related careers. He wants to help address the underrepresentation of women and minorities in these fields. 

“I want to make sure kids in this community have the same opportunities I did — and even more — when it comes to learning about tech and computer science,” Hedgpeth said. “Every child has the potential to succeed, and I’m here to give them the tools to unlock that potential.” 

A strong foundation 

When it was time for Hedgpeth to go to college in the 2000s, he applied and enrolled at Missouri State because it was “the closest, most affordable option.” He initially started out as a political science major, but soon realized it was not for him. So, he switched to computer science based on his love for video games. 

Hedgpeth quickly found out loving video games did not make him automatically good at anything related to computer science. 

“All that stuff is hard, but I kept my head down and ground it out,” he said.  

As he progressed through his studies, he found a passion for computer science that would lay the groundwork for his future endeavors. 

“Missouri State really helped me find my path,” Hedgpeth said. “The experiences I had there, both academically and through extracurricular programs, helped me build a foundation that not only gave me the technical skills I needed, but also leadership and interpersonal skills.” 

On campus, he was involved in several organizations such as SOAR (Student Orientation, Advisement and Registration). He also worked as a resident assistant in Hutchens House. These roles gave him hands-on leadership experience and allowed him to work closely with students, faculty and staff.  

According to Hedgpeth, Missouri State equipped him with academic knowledge and soft skills that he uses every day in his career.  

“It’s not just about coding. It’s about working with teams, understanding clients’ needs and leading projects to success,” he said. 

Explore computer science at Missouri State