He holds three degrees from Louisiana State University, including a Ph.D. in engineering science, an M.S. in industrial engineering, and a B.S. in industrial engineering. In addition to his teaching, Dr. Koonce applied his engineering skills as a software engineer for Swiss Info/Swiss Radio International in Bern, Switzerland. He has also represented the Institute of Industrial Engineers as the regional vice president and is a member of the American Society for Engineering Education, Alpha Phi Mu Industrial Engineering Honor Society, and Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society.