During spring 2024 I'm teaching:

• CS 144 Introduction to Computer Science

• CS 343 Programming Language Concepts 

Welcome! I am a Professor and Chair of the Department of Computer Science at Pacific Lutheran University. My primary research interest is computer science education and I have had the privilege of collaborating with education researchers from around the world on topics such as novice debugging, pair programming, recursion, classroom assessment, instructional practices, and the influence of psychological factors in programming education. See my Google Scholar page and the ACM Digital Library for details on that work. 

I teach a variety of classes, from introductory programming (CS 144) to capstone (CS 499), and especially enjoy incorporating active and cooperative learning into my classes through techniques like pair programming, peer instruction and live worked examples.  From 2019 to 2022, I served as an At-Large member of the Board for the ACM Special Interest Group on Computer Science Education (SIGCSE) and from 2007 to 2017 I  served as Co Editor-in-Chief for the journal Computer Science Education.  I am interested in broadening participation in computing to underrepresented groups and enjoy introducing K-12 students to computing through workshops using block-based languages like Scratch and Alice.  In fall 2021 I co-taught a semester long Snap! course to high school students through the Microsoft TEALS program.  And, in December 2022, I was honored to receive the PLU Faculty Excellence Award in Service. 

I received my M.S. in Computer Science from Vanderbilt University and previously taught at The University of Mississippi. I live in Olympia, WA, and when I'm not teaching I enjoy traveling, hiking and cooking with my husband and three children. I am also a proud PLU Mom!