Kevin Brainard is a Part-time Assistant Professor at Parsons School of Design, The New School. He is an Art Director and Principal of Pleasure, with prior roles at HarperCollins Publishers, Spot Design/Spotco, and as Co-Chair of the 2002 AIGA New York Fresh Dialogue. His design work spans publishing, music, film, and theater, with notable clients including AIGA, The New York Times, MTV Networks, and Broadway productions like De La Guarda and The Diary of Anne Frank . Brainard has received a Telly Award for his work on the De La Guarda :30-second spot. He teaches courses such as CD Studio: Word as Image and Core 2: Typography , focusing on design principles and creative problem-solving. His professional career highlights expertise in visual storytelling across diverse mediums, from book covers to theatrical productions. Notable collaborations include work with RCA, Simon & Schuster, and Paramount Studios, showcasing his versatility in branding and artistic direction.
Dr. Cassie Wallwey is a Collegiate Assistant Professor in the Department of Engineering Education at Virginia Tech’s College of Engineering. She teaches foundational engineering courses such as ENGE 1215, ENGE 1216, ENGE 1414, and the graduate seminar ENGE 5704. She previously taught at Ohio State University and Wright State University. Education: Ph.D. in Engineering Education, Ohio State University, 2022 M.S. in Biomedical Engineering, Wright State University, 2018 B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, Wright State University, 2017 Her research focuses on student-centered and inclusive teaching practices in engineering education. Key interests include student motivation, engagement, self-regulated learning, feedback mechanisms, and the transition to college. She actively challenges the exclusionary 'weed-out' culture in engineering and advocates for equitable learning environments where students can thrive based on support rather than attrition. Her recent publications span journals and conferences such as IEEE Transactions on Education, International Journal of Engineering Pedagogy, ASEE, and FIE. These works explore themes like engineering identity, grading perceptions, syllabus co-creation, and smartness beliefs. Collectively, her research emphasizes qualitative and mixed-methods inquiry into the psychological and cultural dimensions of engineering education. Scientific Awards: American Society for Engineering Education Charles “Butch” & Joan Nunnally Outstanding Engineering Education Faculty Member Award (Spring 2025) IEEE Benjamin J. Dasher Best Conference Paper Award (2024 FIE) 2024 Engineering Unleashed Fellow ERM Apprentice Faculty Grant Awardee (2024 ASEE) New Engineering Educators Division Best Diversity Paper Award - First Place (ASEE) Dr. Wallwey has secured multiple teaching and research grants, including the Engineering Unleashed Fellowship and several Virginia Tech CETL grants. These projects focus on first-year student success, feedback loops, self-regulation, and inclusive instructional teams. She frequently collaborates with colleagues such as Dr. Michelle Soledad, Dr. David Gray, and Dr. Juan David Ortega Alvarez. She is also active in professional communities like ASEE and IEEE, contributing to curriculum innovation and pedagogical advancement. She is involved in developing and sharing pedagogical tools through platforms like Engineering Unleashed, emphasizing practical, student-centered design activities and learning scaffolds.
Dr. Michael Verdicchio is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at The Citadel, affiliated with the Swain Family School of Science and Mathematics. He joined the institution in 2011 and holds a PhD and BSE in Computer Science from Arizona State University. His research focuses on computer science education, software engineering, algorithms, and previously on computational biology and bioinformatics. He also serves as the Graduate Program Director for Computer Science and chairs the graduate curriculum committee. His professional affiliations include Senior Member of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and Program Evaluator for ABET's Computing Accreditation Commission. Dr. Verdicchio teaches a wide range of courses, from introductory computer science to advanced graduate topics like software testing and deployment. His educational contributions include adapting curricula for emerging technologies like generative AI and creating specialized courses such as DevOps. He has also led initiatives to ensure continuity in course delivery during disruptions like hurricanes and pandemics. His research spans pedagogical innovations, including automated assessment methods and interdisciplinary undergraduate research experiences. He has published extensively on topics ranging from network routing algorithms to gene regulatory networks in cancer research. His work bridges theoretical computer science with practical applications in education and bioinformatics. Dr. Verdicchio’s service roles include leadership in accreditation processes, curriculum design, and program assessment. He collaborates with external institutions like the College of Charleston and actively participates in national conferences, contributing to the advancement of computing education standards.
Barbara Jane Ericson is a Professor in the School of Information at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She is a prominent figure in computing education, known for co-developing the Media Computation (MediaComp) approach to introductory computer science, which uses digital media (e.g., images, sounds) to engage students. She has authored multiple textbooks and led initiatives like Georgia Computes! to expand access to computing education. Her research focuses on broadening participation in computing, active learning strategies, and the impact of AI tools like Large Language Models (LLMs) in education. Ericson has held leadership roles, including directing the Institute for Computing Education at Georgia Tech and spearheading efforts to establish computer science curricula and teacher training programs in Georgia. Her work emphasizes equity, particularly supporting Black girls in AP Computer Science and addressing socioeconomic disparities in LLM perceptions. She has received prestigious awards such as the ACM Karl V. Karlstrom Outstanding Educator Award (2010) and is an ACM Distinguished Member (2020). Recent work includes developing assessments like the Critical Reflection and Agency in Computing Scale and exploring personalized learning tools such as adaptive Parsons puzzles. Her contributions span K-12 education, university-level pedagogy, and partnerships between academia and state education systems.
Zihan Wu is an Assistant Professor at the University of Maine's School of Computing and Information Science (SCIS), where he leads the Puffin Lab (Participation, Understanding, Feedback, and Interaction for Novices). His academic journey includes a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan School of Information under Dr. Barbara Ericson and a Bachelor's in Computer Science from Tsinghua University. Education: Ph.D., University of Michigan, School of Information Bachelor's in Computer Science and Technology, Tsinghua University Dr. Wu's research bridges Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Computing Education Research (CER) , focusing on creating scalable educational tools through human-centered design and learning theory integration. His work employs mixed-methods evaluation including large-scale classroom studies and lab experiments, with emphasis on AI-supported programming tools, accessibility solutions, and novice learning experiences. His 2020-2025 publications reveal a strong trajectory in programming education tools (particularly Parsons Problems variants), AI-human co-creation systems, and accessibility technologies. Key venues include CHI, ICER, and AIED, demonstrating cross-disciplinary impact in both HCI and computing education communities. Scientific Recognition: Best Paper Nomination at CHI 2024 Best Paper Nomination at L@S 2024 Honorable Mention at CHI 2020 Dr. Wu actively mentors through the Puffin Lab, recruiting PhD students for Fall 2026 and research assistants for educational technology projects. His teaching portfolio includes Human-Centered Design courses at University of Maine and prior instruction in Web Development, Data Manipulation, and Data Mining at University of Michigan. The Puffin Lab drives innovation in novice computing education through tools that enhance participation, understanding, and feedback mechanisms, with current projects exploring LLM-powered personalized learning and context-aware creative systems.
Ian N Proops is a Professor in the Philosophy Department at the University of Texas at Austin, part of the College of Liberal Arts. He joined the department in 2009 and is affiliated with the Center for European Studies. With a PhD from Harvard University, his academic career includes ten years of teaching at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor before coming to Texas. His educational background includes: B.A. in PPE and B. Phil. in philosophy from Oxford PhD from Harvard where he wrote his dissertation on Wittgenstein's Tractatus under Warren Goldfarb, Richard Heck, and Charles Parsons Professor Proops's research focuses on three primary areas: (a) Kant's philosophy, especially The Critique of Pure Reason; (b) The History of Analytic Philosophy, particularly the works of Russell and Wittgenstein; and (c) The philosophy of lying and deception, on which he collaborates with Prof. Roy Sorensen. He also has significant interests in Early Modern Philosophy (especially Descartes and Leibniz) and metaphysics. His teaching spans both undergraduate and graduate levels, with undergraduate courses in Contemporary Moral Problems and graduate seminars on Kant, Descartes, Leibniz, and related topics. His scholarly output demonstrates deep engagement with Kantian philosophy and the history of analytic philosophy. His most notable work is The Fiery Test of Critique: A Reading of Kant's Dialectic (Oxford University Press, 2021), which has generated significant scholarly discussion as evidenced by his 2024 "Replies to Critics." His publications span journals including The Philosophical Review, European Journal of Philosophy, and Journal of the History of Philosophy, covering topics from Kant's analytic judgment to Wittgenstein's conception of substance. Professor Proops has served in significant editorial roles: Six years as founding editor of The Review of Symbolic Logic Over a decade as section-editor for Philosophy Compass His teaching portfolio is extensive, regularly offering courses such as "PHL 329P: Kant's Critique Pure Reason," "PHL 381: Descartes, Leibniz, and Kant," and "PHL 304: Contemporary Moral Problems" across multiple semesters through 2025.
Karen Cronin serves as an Adjunct Professor in the School of Journalism and Strategic Media at Middle Tennessee State University, teaching Visual Communication Applications to introduce students to industry-standard graphic design, photo editing, and layout software. Her educational background includes: B.F.A. in Communication Design from Parsons School of Design, New York Professionally, she co-founded Cronin Creative, an award-winning Nashville graphic design agency serving high-profile clients: Vanderbilt Health T-Mobile Country artist Marty Stuart The Mechanical Licensing Collective LBMC financial firm Her expertise bridges academic instruction and professional practice in visual communication, emphasizing practical software proficiency and creative problem-solving for diverse commercial applications.
