Jandelyn Plane

Jandelyn Plane serves as Senior Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Maryland, College Park within the College of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences. She directs the Maryland Center for Women in Computing (MCWIC) and the Iribe Initiative for Inclusion and Diversity in Computing (I4C), while co-directing ACES—the Honors College's Living Learning Program in Cybersecurity. Her work spans computer science education, diversity initiatives, and international capacity building in underdeveloped regions.

Dr. Plane earned her Bachelor's in Computer Science, Philosophy, and Mathematics from Wartburg College; Master's in Computer Science from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; and Ph.D. in Education Policy and Leadership from UMD. Her doctoral research examined gender parity in computer science at Kabul University in Afghanistan.

Her research centers on diversity and inclusion in computing, with focus areas including computational thinking integration in elementary science education, mentorship models for underrepresented groups, and cybersecurity pedagogy. She investigates teacher professional development frameworks and designs equitable learning environments through game-based approaches.

Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2021-2024) reveals three dominant themes: 1) Diversifying computing through micro-internships and near-peer mentoring programs targeting women and students of color; 2) Computational thinking integration in K-12 science education via teacher training; and 3) Design of equitable cybersecurity games and learning environments that address intersectional barriers.

Dr. Plane has received significant recognition including:

• Women's Society of CyberJutsu Leadership Award for Impact on Girls in Cybersecurity (2014)
• WIT Leadership Award for Social Impact (2014)
• Provost's Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award (2009)
• Dean's Awards for Excellence in Teaching (2009, 2002)

As a dedicated advisor for over 30 years, she mentors undergraduate students through the Association for Women in Computing (AWC) and directs NSF-funded initiatives including CompSciConnect and CyberPatriot Girls. Her grant portfolio focuses on creating pathways for underrepresented groups into computing through teacher development and K-12 outreach programs.

She leads MCWIC's comprehensive ecosystem including CompSciConnect summer camps, school outreach partnerships, and Girl Scout collaborations. Her international work has established computer science programs in Rwanda and Afghanistan through curriculum development and faculty training initiatives.