Meet the Advisory Board

Advisory Board

Our Advisory Board is composed of distinguished leaders, educators, and innovators who provide invaluable guidance to advance BootUp’s mission. With diverse expertise spanning education, technology, equity, and philanthropy, they help shape our strategy and ensure our programs remain relevant, impactful, and sustainable. Their insights strengthen our commitment to delivering equitable, high-quality computer science and AI education for children in every community.

Mike Afdahl

Mike began his career as a high school math teacher and served many roles, including Academic Coach, STEM Academy Director, Coordinator of Instructional Technology, and Director of Technology. He is currently serving as the Coordinator of Technology Services for Northwest RESA, an organization that supports 17 school systems and 180 schools in northwest Georgia. Mike coordinates and facilitates the Computer Science Endorsement Program to prepare and certify educators to teach computer science. He is passionate about instructional practices and how technology supports good teaching.

Sababu Chaka Barashango

Sababu Chaka Barashango is a Computer Science (CS) Instructional Specialist with the Constellations Center for Equity in Computing at the Georgia Institute of Technology (GA Tech). In this capacity, he augments secondary CS educators' efficacy with year-round instructional coaching, and content and pedagogical professional development (PD). He also trains educators across the state of Georgia who aspire to become instructional coaches. In addition, he partners with the Georgia Department of Education and Computer Science for Georgia (CS4GA) facilitating school systems in developing or improving their CS strategic plan. Moreover, he volunteers with the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) as a member of its K-12 Administrators and Coaching Working Group and PD Providers Summits.

He is Senior Personnel with the Alliance for Interdisciplinary Innovations in Computing Education (AiiCE) "...creating evidence-based strategies that strengthen educational practices, support effective policies, and empower students and educators." ( AiiCE , 2025) Barashango earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics and French from Morehouse College and a Master of Arts in Teaching degree in Educational Studies from Emory University. He brings over 25 years of educational experience in Mathematics and Computer Science. As a DeKalb educator, Barashango was named Teacher of the Year twice. He also helped write the curriculum for the computer science principles course in the district and served as the chairperson of the school improvement and program advisory committees. He is currently the proud parent of a graduating 4th year CS major at Georgia Tech and three additional children who all have completed various high school, higher-learning, and out-of-school career-ready CS courses and programs. Barashango serves as an expert advisor for BootUp’s curriculum, PD, and instructional coaching programs. He lives by the Ethiopian proverb, "He who learns, teaches."

Brianna Blaser

Through her work at the DO-IT Center at the University of Washington, Brianna Blaser leads multiple National Science Foundation funded projects that increase the participation of people with disabilities in science and engineering careers. She is the Director and co-PI for AccessComputing, an NSF Broadening Participation in Computing Alliance that works to increase the accessibility of computing education and careers. Her work includes direct interventions for individuals with disabilities and working with faculty, employers, and other stakeholders to create institutional change.

Joseph Caroll-Miranda

Joseph Carroll-Miranda is an Auxiliary Professor at the Graduate Studies Department of the College of Education of the University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras Campus. He is a strong advocate of both Computer Science and STEM education as issues of social justice. Currently he serves in the advisory board of Broadening Participation in Computing Alliance project Expanding Computing Educational Pathways bringing a critical lenses and commitment to ensure diversity, inclusion, social justice, ancestral knowledge systems and culturally responsive pedagogies in computing. Furthermore, his research interest includes youth culture, teknoculture, hacker culture, critical pedagogy and transforming traditional classrooms as spaces of creation and innovation. Currently he is working in an emergent field of research dedicated to decolonizing computing with a collaborative project titled Ancestral Computing for Sustainability.

Gail Chapman

Gail Chapman provides outreach services to potential new partners and supports current partner districts/regions on strategic planning related to implementation of ECS, including PD, leadership development, and sustainability. She coordinates updates to the ECS curriculum and instructional resources as well as supporting the facilitator development program She has co-led the implementation efforts related to the codesign and redesign of the ECS program to develop ECS v.10. Gail taught high school mathematics and CS, including AP CS for 15 years and subsequently worked on the AP Computer Science program at both ETS and College Board; this work included assessment development, curriculum design, and PD with a focus on equitable access for teachers and students. Gail was the recipient of the 2017 SIGCSE award for Outstanding Contribution to Computer Science Education.

Jackie Corricelli

Jacqueline “Jackie” Corricelli has been a public school educator since August 2003. As the Pre K-12 Computer Science (CS) Curriculum Specialist for the West Hartford Public School District, Jackie supports her district as a CS advocate, coach, reference, and researcher. In addition, she teaches CS courses at Conard High School. At the state level, Jackie volunteers as Treasurer of the CS Teachers Association (CSTA). At the national level, Jackie is an Advanced Placement (AP) Consultant and a member of the Development Committee for AP CS Principles. Jackie believes CS can and should be integrated in all subjects, Pre K-12. Computational thinking is a way of thinking about and solving problems. CS impacts all disciplines. Jackie is happiest when she works with a team to solve problems. Whether it is a team of students, teachers, coworkers, parents, or business partners, she loves to create and execute new ideas and learn from mistakes made. She is grateful for the support she receives from her family and community.

Jackie has a B.A. in mathematics and statistics from the University of Connecticut and an M.S.Ed. in mathematics secondary education from Westfield State University. She is certified in secondary mathematics and computer science education.

Bryan Cox

Bryan Cox is a faculty research associate and a fellow at the Constellations Center for Education in Computing at Georgia Tech. He was formerly at Georgia Department of Education as Computer Science (CS) Specialist responsible for broadening participation in CS educational experiences in Georgia and building CS into a K-12 discipline. He organized the state Department of Education’s CS Advisory Council and is a backbone member of the CS4GA collective. He serves on several advisory committees for CS initiatives around the state Georgia. Prior to working for the GaDOE, Bryan spent 8 years as a High School STEM teacher, teaching math, computer science, and engineering courses, mostly within the Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education department. He obtained a PhD in Instructional Technology from Georgia State University with a research focus in online learning and computational thinking. He also received an M.A.T. in mathematics from GSU and a B.S. in Computer Information Systems from Florida A & M University. He has spent time working as a network designer, computer technician, and an after-school and summer youth programs coordinator.

Sofia DeJesus

Sofía De Jesús is the author of Applied Computational Thinking with Python, a practical book for developers that includes chapters on machine learning and artificial intelligence and which published its second edition in December of 2023. She is an educator with over 25 years of experience both in the classroom and in educational publishing, working as a Mathematics, Computer Science, and Computational Thinking teacher as well as an Editorial Director throughout her career. She has built STEM/STEAM programs and Computational Thinking programs in schools and developed curriculum and assessments for multiple national and international organizations. She is currently the Associate Program Manager for CMU CS Academy, where she leads the Spanish translation initiatives and has expanded her work in equity and accessibility. In that position, she also leads global partnerships, particularly in Latin America. Sofía earned a BS in General Sciences with a concentration in Mathematics from the University of Puerto Rico, and an MS in Teacher Education and Allied Professions from the University of Dayton. She also completed 64 credit hours for an EdD program in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Curriculum and Instruction (abd). Sofía has presented in multiple national and international conferences, including (but not limited to) SIGCSE, RESPECT, SXSW Edu, EDULEARN, CSTA, NSTA, and FETC. Her areas of interest, research, and advocacy include ethical Artificial Intelligence implementation in K12, equitable CS classrooms, and building language-inclusive classrooms.

Rosa Diaz

Rosa Diaz has over 30+ years of experience as a bilingual educator and an instructional coach for the El Paso Independent School District (EPISD) in El Paso, TX. Diaz worked with bilingual students implementing best practices and instruction that was accessible and engaging to students. After 9 years in the classroom at EPISD, she worked in the Department of English Language Acquisition (DELA) where she served as a Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) instructor for the state of Texas, and a trainer of trainers for the Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) model. Diaz’ experience as an instructional coach led to the building of teaching capacity and implementation of effective strategies to increase students’ development in academic literacy skills and creating successful learning environments for bilingual students across the district. She has made national presentations for the National Association of Bilingual Educators (NABE) on bilingual strategies for early childhood learners. As an elementary instructional coach, she emphasized the practice of providing data driven strategies to address the needs of diverse learners, increase engagement as an Active Learning Leader, and promote equitable teaching and learning practices for all students. Diaz also has experience with managing district partnerships, such as with Engage to Learn (e2L) where she led a coaching program for teachers to use data driven feedback to identify areas of growth and to measure learning progress effectively. Diaz has been awarded Teacher of the Year two times in her career at EPISD and in the last phase of her career she focused on working with students with disabilities and became a Dyslexia Reading Specialist. After retiring in 2023, she continues to serve students with reading difficulties by providing extra instructional support at her house as a private tutor. Diaz is a subject matter expert, advising on BootUp’s instructional coaching framework.

Dr. Wendy Dyer

Dr. Wendy Dyer is the Networking and Cloud Computing Instructor at Grayson Tech. Dr. Dyer is a graduate of the University of Georgia where she earned a Bachelor's of Education in Mathematics. She received her Master’s in Mathematics Education and her Specialist in Curriculum & Instruction from Piedmont College. She also received her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Argosy University. Dr. Dyer taught a combination of mathematics, information technology, computer science & programming and game design over the course of her 20+ years at Grayson High School. She enjoys teaching computer science and serves as an advocate for equity in computer science. Her goal is to encourage all students to pursue their dreams in computer science and information technology.

Rudy Escobar

Rudy Escobar is a STEM and computer science coordinator with expertise in STEM, particularly science, computer science, and engineering. With over a decade of experience, he is a highly accomplished educator who consistently advocates for equitable access to computer science and STEM education. Prior to his career in education, Rudy worked in the pharmaceutical, environmental, and food industries using his engineering, science, and computer science background. Rudy specializes in PreK–12 computer science, STEM, physical computing, robotics, project-based learning (PBL), engineering, science, NGSS assessments, and PBL curriculum development. Rudy promotes computer science and STEM education in California through conferences, workshops, and initiatives, advocating for equitable opportunities for all students, particularly underrepresented ones. As a micro:bit champion he has directed micro:bit and science conferences. Rudy has developed resources, provided professional development, and created partnerships to promote computer science and STEM education throughout the state. He has developed distance learning resources and organized C-STEM camps for underrepresented students. Rudy has also collaborated with local universities to support future educators and tutors in STEM and computer science. Rudy has also partnered with organizations to advocate for and develop project-based STEM lessons. He has provided support for English language learners, Universal Design for Learning, and social-emotional learning in K–2 science and engineering lessons for the California Department of Education. Rudy’s expertise has been instrumental in evaluating and revising training tools and incorporating current trends and data into the standard curricula for science, computer science, and engineering.

Jannie Fernandez

Jannie Fernandez is a passionate advocate and champion for equity in technology, serving as the Director of Talent Engagement at Reboot Representation. In this role, she leads strategic initiatives designed to unlock the full potential of Black, Latina, and Native American women and girls in the tech industry's most innovative fields.

Jannie is a catalyst for change. She expertly forges collaborative partnerships, leverages data-driven insights, and champions innovative solutions to dismantle systemic barriers and create pathways to success for BLNA women and girls. Her work is fueled by a deep commitment to service and a belief in the transformative power of inclusive tech.
Prior to Reboot Representation, Jannie honed her expertise as a thought leader at the National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT). As Program Director, she launched initiatives that expanded opportunities for women and girls of color and individuals with disabilities in STEM. From K -12 education to higher education and early career development, Jannie's comprehensive understanding of the landscape allowed her to create a lasting impact. She started her career as a science educator, teaching Biology and Physics while leading the Special Education Department at a public high school in Miami, FL. This hands-on experience instilled in her a profound understanding of the importance of equitable access to education and opportunity.

Holding a BS in Special Education from Florida International University and an MS in Organizational Leadership from the University of Colorado Boulder, Jannie combines academic rigor with real-world experience. Born in Barranquilla, Colombia, where her passion for education ignited, and now based in Richmond, VA, she continues to champion inclusivity and drive meaningful change in the tech industry, one initiative, one partnership, and one woman at a time.

Crystal Franklin

Crystal Franklin is the Director of K–12 Computer Science Education at Cleveland State University, where she manages over $2 million in funding and leads regional professional development for computer science educators. She holds a Master’s in Community Health Education and brings more than 20 years of experience spanning teaching, research, and policy.

Her career highlights include serving on the Ohio Computer Science Policy Coalition, teaching science in both Cleveland and Pinghu, China, and establishing Professional Learning Communities for computer science teachers. She has conducted international research in Uganda on tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS and served as an Education Specialist in the U.S. Peace Corps in Guyana. Crystal is also a published author, most recently contributing to SIGCSE 2022: Setting the Table for Equity: A Leadership Model for Broadening Participation in Computing. An avid traveler, she has visited six continents and plans to add Antarctica to complete all seven.

Shaina Glass

As the Director of Education for the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA), Shaina is dedicated to empowering computer science educators and fostering a vibrant community. She leads the development, support, and facilitation of impactful programs and professional learning experiences for CSTA members and chapter leaders. Her work encompasses managing student and teacher standards, creating innovative professional learning opportunities, cultivating local chapter leadership, and overseeing critical fellowships that advance the field.

With 20 years of experience in education, Shaina brings a wealth of expertise to her role. Prior to CSTA, she served as the Technology Applications/STEM Program Director, where she significantly expanded equitable access to STEM and computer science instruction for over 65,000 students in Aldine ISD. In this capacity, she spearheaded the implementation of computer science and STEM programs, instruction, and events for students from PK-12th grade.

Shaina is also a passionate advocate for computer science education, actively contributing as a member of the CS4TX, and the Past President of CSTA Greater Houston.
In her personal time, Shaina enjoys pursuing her passions for yoga, painting, cooking, and spending quality moments with her family.

Shaina Glass, Director of Education for CSTA, empowers computer science educators by leading impactful programs and professional learning. Her work includes managing standards, creating innovative learning opportunities, cultivating chapter leadership, and overseeing fellowships. With 20 years in education, she previously expanded equitable STEM and CS access for over 65,000 students in Aldine ISD. Shaina is a passionate advocate for CS education, actively contributing to CS4TX and as past President of CSTA Greater Houston. In her personal time, she enjoys yoga, painting, cooking, and family time.

Dr. Joanna Goode

Dr. Joanna Goode is the Sommerville Knight Professor in the College of Education at the University of Oregon. She began her career in education as a high school computer science teacher in a large, diverse urban school, and she builds on this experience to research how educational policies and practices can foster equity, access, and inclusion in K-12 computer science education. Joanna has directed multiple National Science Foundation-sponsored research projects, developed the equity-focused Exploring Computer Science high school course, and is the co-author of the book, Stuck in the Shallow End: Education, Race, and Computing (MIT Press, 2008/2017).

Victor G. Hicks

Victor G. Hicks is the Founder and Lead Instructor of Coding with Culture, a computer science and STEM program dedicated to building a “Kindergarten through HBCU” pathway in computational and design thinking. With more than a decade of experience in teaching and curriculum design, Hicks is known for his innovative approach that merges culturally responsive pedagogy with cutting-edge technology education.

As a school board member and nonprofit trustee, he brings deep expertise in building community partnerships, supporting teacher professional development, and designing programs that expand access to STEM for Black and Brown students. Hicks is committed to empowering the next generation of innovators by ensuring that students see themselves, their history, and their culture reflected in the world of technology.

Richard Kick

Richard Kick teaches math and computer science at Newbury Park High School in California. Rich earned a Mathematics Education degree from the University of Illinois, Urbana–Champaign, and a master’s degree in mathematics from Chicago State University. He has taught AP Computer Science using Pascal, C++, and Java at 5 different high schools in Illinois and California. He has also taught math and computer science at several colleges in those states.

After working as a C++ programmer at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Rich served as a College Board exam reader, table leader, question leader, and Computer Science Test Development Committee member. He is a five-time Computer Science Principles Pilot instructor and was the co-chair of the original Computer Science Principles Development Committee. Most recently, Rich served as a writer for the national K-12 Computer Science Framework and as a member of the California Computer Science Standards Advisory Committee. He teaches Algebra 2 Honors, AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles, and AP Cybersecurity in the 2025-2026 school year. Rich was recognized with the 2000 state level Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching for Illinois, and more recently, he received the state level PAEMST award in California (2023).

Andy Kuemmel

Andy Kuemmel taught high school Mathematics and Computer Science in rural, suburban, and urban school districts for 29 years. His teaching practice was strongly influenced by constructivist pedagogy and by the process of becoming a National Board Certified Teacher in Adolescence and Young Adulthood Mathematics. After many years teaching Advanced Placement courses in Computer Science, Calculus, and Statistics, Andy became involved in the AP Computer Science Principles program as a pilot instructor, a member of the Development Committee, and as a leader of AP summer institute workshops.

Andy joined the Department of Computer Sciences at the University of Wisconsin in 2018. His passions include working with students from underrepresented groups in computer science, training TAs in inclusive teaching practices, and teaching introductory courses.

Andy and his family live in Madison, Wisconsin.

David Lockett

David Lockett is a K-12 STEM educator with education, training, and experience in computer science, technology, and engineering. A NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador since 2010, he enjoys taking deep topics such as astrophotography and space science and presenting them to students in a way that's entertaining and easy to understand. He serves as the Co-I for the SACS NASA Data Science Academy: Promoting Data Science with Robotics and NASA Geospatial and Extraterrestrial Big Data for Grades 9-12. The project combines robotics and big data, at the School of Applied Computational Sciences (SACS) The key objective of the program is to stimulate curiosity in the cross-cutting field of data science through data science-driven, hands-on, STEM activities deploying real-life application scenarios and industrial grade robotic systems. He was recognized as Albert Einstein Fellow at the NASA Office of STEM Engagement. David presents at education conferences on space science education topics throughout the United States and abroad.

Yolanda Lozano

Yolanda Lozano’s interest in computer science began as a TA for a technology course at the University of Michigan. She earned an MS in data modeling and Management from Carnegie Mellon, followed by roles at Rice University and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve. She later embraced an entrepreneurial challenge with a Harvard Business School tech/finance start-up, leading to its successful acquisition. After a career in software, retiring from Citrix Systems in corporate strategy, she now manages funding from NSF, USDA, and major tech companies to advance equitable CS education. Yolanda serves on the IEEE Quantum Education Committee, is a board member of Elevate Quantum Workforce Collaborative (EQWC), state representative for AI4K12, treasurer of the Computer Science Teachers Association, and teaches computer science at Gogebic Community College.

Brandon Nicholson

Ron Brown Scholar, Jefferson Award Winner, and Dr. Marcus Foster Education Institute Warrior for Justice honoree Dr. Brandon Nicholson is the CEO of The Hidden Genius Project. As an Oakland native who has always felt a deep sense of commitment to promoting equity in the public realm, Dr. Nicholson uses his academic and applied expertise in public policy to engage stakeholders and develop multi-sector partnerships.

Before his tenure as CEO, Dr. Nicholson was a Senior Associate at Social Policy Research Associates (SPR), where he conducted substantial research in education and youth development, with a particular focus on issues of equity and access in K-12 education for communities of color.

Dr. Nicholson has also worked for Oakland Unified School District as an Education Pioneers Fellow. During his time at OUSD, Dr. Nicholson used his research skills to help implement college-ready curricula. He also brokered a partnership between the District and The Education Trust-West to complete the first audit of the school curriculum for the District.

Under Dr. Nicholson’s exemplary vision and leadership, The Hidden Genius Project has grown exponentially from a volunteer-driven nonprofit based in Oakland to a national, multimillion-dollar enterprise serving over 14,300 youth of color, especially Black boys and young men, over the last 13 years. Touting a 90% college matriculation rate and over 40% of Geniuses pursuing a major or minor in Computer Science, Dr. Nicholson’s leadership at The Hidden Genius Project has established a model for nurturing future technologists and business leaders. In addition to its flagship Oakland site, The Hidden Genius Project also has sites in Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, and Richmond, California.

Dr. Nicholson holds a Ph.D. in Educational Policy from UC Berkeley where he worked as a Graduate Minority Outreach Recruitment and Retention Project Coordinator, helping to build a strong ecosystem of graduate students from diverse backgrounds. He also earned a Bachelor of Arts from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University.

He resides in Oakland with his wife, son, and daughter.

Dale Reed

Dale Reed is a clinical professor of computer science at UIC. In partnership with his colleague Elena Lathos, Reed helped to increase undergraduate computer science enrollment from 187 students in 2005 to more than 1,500 today, placing UIC on the forefront of a national wave of growth. Reed has given more than 300 presentations to more than 10,000 high school students over seven years, encouraging them to consider a future in computing. He double-majored in English and computer science at North Park University and obtained his PhD in computer science at Northwestern University.

Reed has long been invested in computer science education for underrepresented minorities and has received more than $2 million in grants to develop programs for this purpose. Fluent in Spanish, he was the principal investigator of the National Science Foundation-funded Summer Science Camp from 1992 to 1996; 90 out of 100 inner-city Chicago middle school students who participated indicated an increased interest in STEM careers after completing the program. As co-principal investigator on the CS Scholars S-STEM grant, also funded by NSF, Reed recruited and nurtured 27 Latino, African-American, and female students in their computer science education at UIC; 86 percent of them went on to pursue tech careers.

As a founding member of the Chicago Computer Science Teachers Association, Reed ran Google-funded “CS4HS” seminars for multiple years and was part of the team that worked from 2009 to 2016 to ensure that computer science would be a high school graduation requirement in the Chicago Public Schools. Reed has been involved with the replication of the Los Angeles Exploring Computer Science grant in Chicago and was co-principal investigator on the NSF CE21 Taste of Computing grant and the ongoing NSF CafeCS grant, working to increase equity in CS education. Reed is a product of the early version of the ECS Facilitator in Development program and is now a national ECS Professional Development mentor facilitator. He was a member of the College Board Development Committee for three years, helping to establish the new AP CS Principles course. Reed joined the AnitaB.org board of trustees in October 2019.

Reed can juggle and ride the unicycle, though not yet at the same time, and rides a skateboard or folding bike around campus.

Jennifer Rosato

Jennifer Rosato is the director of the Northern Lights Collaborative for Computing Education at the University of Minnesota, leading efforts to create more inclusive computing education opportunities. She has been supporting educators in K-12 and higher education in efforts to broaden participation in computing for over 20 years. She is passionate about collaborating with partners across systems and stakeholders to increase equity. She has led multiple grants and projects that provide curriculum and professional development for teachers and districts, is a CSforAll-MN steering committee member working on educational policy in Minnesota, and previously served as chair of the CSTA Board of Directors.

Stacey Sexton

Hi, I’m Stacey Sexton. I am a queer & nonbinary, organizer, educator, facilitator and coach supporting individuals and teams working through conflict, deepening their understanding of and action toward social justice, and finding balance between being human and being a change agent. I bring more than a decade of experience as an education researcher, evaluator, and policy advocate, primarily focused on supporting equitable CS and STEM education. This work is informed by my decades of experience organizing with issue-based activist organizations, unions, and advocacy groups. I love to support people through Collaboration Facilitation, Strategy Alignment, Conflict Resolution, and Project Management. When I’m not letting my mind wander through ideas, I’m keeping myself grounded in my community through participation in local struggles, organizing, and mutual aid work. I genuinely love getting to know the people around me. I love being in nature and I find that sitting quietly among a stand of trees is the closest I can come to sensing the divine.

Dr. Chinma Uche

Dr. Chinma Uche holds a PhD in Biomathematics/Epidemiology from Imperial College, London. She has been teaching Math and Computer Science (CS) at the Academy of Aerospace and Engineering in Windsor, Connecticut since 2002. She is a passionate advocate for broadening access to computer science education to all K-12 students. Her students have done well and some have excelled at national and international arenas, winning awards at the Congressional App Challenge, the 2025 Samsung Solve For Tomorrow Sustainability award, the American Computer Science League, among others. She remains committed to supporting activities that support good quality education and adequate preparation for all student in our digital age. To support her passion, she was one of the founders of the Connecticut CSTA and its president for nine years. She trains K-12 teachers to bring CS to their classrooms. Dr. Uche was a co-creator of the College Board endorsed Mobile CSP curriculum. She serves in many advisory boards, including the Sheff Movement Coalition, and is a member of the Connecticut Commission for Educational Technology. Her work has been recognized through the numerous awards she has received, including the 2025 NCWIT National Educator award. She draws strength from her Christian faith, as a United Methodist Church clergy, and is supported by her wonderful family, including her husband, Dr. Uche E. Uche, her four adult children and three grandchildren.

Aman Yadav

Aman Yadav is the Lappan-Phillips Professor of Computing Education in the College of Education and College of Natural Science at Michigan State University with extensive experience in research, evaluation and teacher professional development. His research and teaching focus is on improving student experiences and outcomes in computer science and engineering at the K-16 level. He leads several projects that design, implement and assess how professional learning experiences can support teachers to bring computational tools and practices to support their disciplinary teaching. His co-edited book, "Computational Thinking in Education: A Pedagogical Perspective," (Routledge, 2022) tackles how to integrate computational thinking, coding and subject matter in relevant and meaningful ways. His work has been published in several leading journals, including Communications of the ACM, ACM Transactions on Computing Education, Journal of Research in Science Teaching and Journal of Engineering Education. He also serves as the Associate Director of Computing Education within the CREATE for STEM Institute.

Meet the Advisory Board

Advisory Board

Mike Afdahl

Sababu Chaka Barashango

Brianna Blaser

Joseph Caroll-Miranda

Gail Chapman

Jackie Corricelli

Bryan Cox

Sofia DeJesus

Rosa Diaz

Dr. Wendy Dyer

Rudy Escobar

Jannie Fernandez

Crystal Franklin

Shaina Glass

Dr. Joanna Goode

Victor G. Hicks

Richard Kick

Andy Kuemmel

David Lockett

Yolanda Lozano

Brandon Nicholson

Dale Reed

Jennifer Rosato

Stacey Sexton

Dr. Chinma Uche

Aman Yadav

WHAT WE DO

WHO WE ARE

OUR POLICIES

Follow Us!

Meet the Advisory Board

Advisory Board

Mike Afdahl

Mike Afdahl

Sababu Chaka Barashango

Sababu Chaka Barashango

Brianna Blaser

Brianna Blaser

Joseph Caroll-Miranda

Joseph Caroll-Miranda

Gail Chapman

Gail Chapman

Jackie Corricelli

Jackie Corricelli

Bryan Cox

Bryan Cox

Sofia DeJesus

Sofia DeJesus

Rosa Diaz

Rosa Diaz

Dr. Wendy Dyer

Dr. Wendy Dyer

Rudy Escobar

Rudy Escobar

Jannie Fernandez

Jannie Fernandez

Crystal Franklin

Crystal Franklin

Shaina Glass

Shaina Glass

Dr. Joanna Goode

Dr. Joanna Goode

Victor G. Hicks

Victor G. Hicks

Richard Kick

Richard Kick

Andy Kuemmel

Andy Kuemmel

David Lockett

David Lockett

Yolanda Lozano

Yolanda Lozano

Brandon Nicholson

Brandon Nicholson

Dale Reed

Dale Reed

Jennifer Rosato

Jennifer Rosato

Stacey Sexton

Stacey Sexton

Dr. Chinma Uche

Dr. Chinma Uche

Aman Yadav

Aman Yadav

WHAT WE DO

WHO WE ARE

OUR POLICIES

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