Curriculum Vitae
Student Projects
My Background
I grew up on a farm in rural northeast Kansas, and learned the value of hard work there and as a member of organizations such as 4-H and FFA. I also enjoyed actively volunteering in the community.
I attended Kansas State University and earned by B.S. degree in Computer Science in 2008. During that time I worked as a student in the Information and Educational Technology (IET) unit of the K-State Department of Communications in the College of Agriculture. After graduating, I was hired as a full-time Computer Support Specialist to supervise the helpdesk and provide direct support to that department and other units housed in Umberger Hall.
In 2012 I started working on a M.S. degree in Computer Science, which brought me back to the Computer Science Department. Upon recommendation of a friend, I was hired as an Instructor and Academic Advisor in the K-State Computer Science Department in 2013. I taught there for several years, but left in 2017 to move to the Kansas City area. While there, I finished my M.S. degree in 2018.
In 2018 I was re-hired at K-State Computer Science as an Instructor, this time focused on developing and teaching a new set of online courses targeted at non-Computer Science majors. Through that work, I helped develop the core parts of our Computational Core program, Cyber Pipeline program, and the basis of the new Integrated Computer Science degree program as well as a new undergraduate certificate in Computer Science. I also help with new teacher training courses used for a graduate certificate in Education focused on Computer Science Education.
I am also continuing my research as I work on a Ph.D. in Computer Science focused on Computer Science education.
Outside of work, I enjoy volunteering with the 4-H program during the summer as a photography judge. I am also a member of the All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church in Kansas City. I enjoy reading, cooking, programming, and playing board games (if that isn’t obvious from the rest of the content on this site).
At a Glance
Education
- Ph.D. Computer Science - Kansas State University Expected May 2026
- M.S. Computer Science - Kansas State University May 2018
- B.S. Computer Science - Kansas State University December 2008
Work Experience
- Instructor - Kansas State University Computer Science May 2018 - Present
- Graduate Teaching Assistant - Kansas State University Computer Science August 2017 - May 2018
- Instructor | Academic Advisor | SFS Program Coordinator - Kansas State University Computer Science December 2012 - May 2017
- Computer Support Specialist - Kansas State University Communications & Ag Education June 2008 - December 2012
Awards
- Kevin and Jacquie Elmore Cornerstone Teaching Scholar 2020 - 2025
- K-State Computer Science Department Teaching Excellence Award 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
- K-State College of Engineering Team Award of Excellence 2021
- Kansas 4-H Distinguished Service Award Recipient 2013
- Kansas 4-H Clover Award 2011
- Communications & Ag. Education Unclassified Employee of the Year 2011
Teaching
Solo Instruction
- CIS 115: Introduction to Computing Science 2013 - 2017, 2022
- CIS 190: Open House Committee 2014 - 2017
- CIS 225: Personal Computer Systems Administration 2013 - 2016
- CIS 526 / CC 515: Full Stack Web Development 2022 - 2023
- CIS 527 / CC 510: Enterprise Systems Administration 2014 - Present
- CC 110: Introduction to Computing 2022
- CC 210: Fundamental Computer Programming Concepts 2019
- CC 310: Data Structures & Algorithms I 2020
- CC 410: Advanced Programming 2021 - Present
Co-Teaching
- CIS 115: Introduction to Computing Science 2022
- CC 710: Introduction to Computing for Educators 2023 - Present
- CC 711: Computer Education Programming Fundamentals 2023 - Present
- CC 730: Computer Programming for Educators 2023 - Present
- CC 750: Data Structures & Algorithms for Educators I 2023 - Present
- DEN 301: Creative Problem Solving in Engineering 2017
- Tea Time Office Hours 2020 - Present
Course Coordination
- CC 110: Introduction to Computing HS 2023 - Present
- CC 111: Elements of Computer Programming HS 2023 - Present
- CC 210: Fundamental Computer Programming Concepts HS 2020 - Present
- CIS 595: Information Systems Internship 2014 - 2017
- CIS 598: Computer Science Project 2022 - Present
Publications
- Mission to Mars: A Computer Science Curriculum for Middle School STEM Camps M.S. Thesis 2018
- Increasing Student Self-Efficacy in Computational Thinking via STEM Outreach Programs (SIGCSE) 2018
- STEM Outreach: Assessing Computational Thinking and Problem Solving ASEE 2017
- The Impact of STEM Experiences on Student Self-Efficacy in Computational Thinking ASEE 2016
- Starting from Scratch: Developing a Pre-Service Teacher Training Program in Computational Thinking FIE 2015
- Scratching the Surface: First Steps in Preservice Teacher Training on Computational Thinking AERA 2015
- Minimum Time, Maximum Effect: Introducing Parallel Computing in CS0 and STEM Outreach Activities Using Scratch XSEDE 2014
- Introducing HPC to Young Students (Poster) SC 2013
Curriculum
- Mission to Mars (Scratch)
- Introduction to Computing Science
- Introduction to Python
- Enterprise Systems Administration
- Computer Science Project
- Fundamental Computer Programming Concepts (Java)
- Data Structures & Algorithms I (Java)
- Advanced Programming (Java & Python)
Grants
- BPC-DP: Broadening Participation of Underrepresented Groups Through the Computational Core Initiative ($299,998 - NSF) 2022 - 2025
- CS4KS: Expanding the Cyber Pipeline Program ($748,000 - KSDE) 2023 - 2024
- CS4KS: Expanding the Cyber Pipeline Program ($467,656 - KSDE) 2022 - 2023
- KRIATE: K-State Rural Innovation Academy for Teaching Enrichment ($3,099,030 - Private Donor) 2022 - 2027
- K-State Open/Alternative Textbook & K-State Global Campus Course Development Grants 2018 - 2021