Van received his Ph.D. in the history of science from the University of Oklahoma (whence he began his love for teaching developmental mathematics under professors Curtis McKnight and Teri Jo (T. J.) Murphy). From that institution, he also holds a Master of Science in Library and Information Studies and a Master of Arts in History of Science. He also received his Master of Divinity degree from Phillips University. He has studied at Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Southern Methodist University, and The University of Texas at Austin. Van teaches the History of Science and University Extension Mathematics Pathways courses at the University, and works with the UT Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory. He is completing a book on mathematics and philosophy titled Mathematicopoiesis Nihilo: The Metanarrative of creativity, a philosophical and metaphysical analysis of Jacob Boehme.