Keynote Speaker: Brenda Darden Wilkerson, President and CEO, AnitaB.org
Brenda Darden Wilkerson is an advocate for access, opportunity, and social justice for underrepresented communities in technology. She currently serves as the President and CEO of AnitaB.org, an organization working to shape public opinion about issues of critical importance to women technologists in academia, industry, and government. She founded the original Computer Science for All program, building computer science classes into the curriculum for every student in the Chicago Public Schools, and serving as the inspiration for the Obama administration’s national CS4All initiatives.
Panel Speakers
Michael Barber is the Coordinator of Local Engagement and an Associate Program Officer at the Spencer Foundation, where he manages programs, reviews research grant proposals, and works on projects to strengthen connections among education research, policy, and practice. He has a Ph.D. in learning sciences from Northwestern University and is a former middle school and high school teacher, literacy coach, and curriculum director. Michael teaches part-time in the College of Education at Depaul University, and he also partners with high school teachers to investigate ways to help students explore curiosities and build knowledge together through inclusive and participatory literacy practices.
Dr. Marlo Barnett is a graduate from Northern Illinois University with a PhD in Educational Technology. Dr. Barnett has over 10 years of experience in education, a proven record of accomplishments and success in planning, decision-making, consulting, professional development, and administration. A scholarly graduate with a distinguished educational background that possesses a wide range of experiences at multiple levels in a variety of organizations and environments.
Dr. Barnett believes in serving her community and giving back to the education field. Currently Dr. Barnett is appointed to the Board of Directors of Northern Illinois Alumni Association. As an Advocate for equity and diversity in Computer Science, Dr. Barnett is Vice President for Computer Science for Illinois and serves as Vice President for Computer Science Teacher Association (CSTA) - Chicago Chapter. In addition, she is also working on a nationwide framework for K12 students for Artificial Intelligence.
Dr. Barnett accredits herself for being an overcomer and defeating many challenges in her life. As an African American woman who grew up in an underrepresented community on the South Side of Chicago, she knows first-hand the struggles that plague the inner city youth. She knows how the streets of Chicago can be ripped apart by gun violence and gangs. Despite the inner city struggles, Dr. Barnett is a first generation student to graduate from college and to obtain degrees in higher education in her family.
Dr. Barnett has a bachelor's degree in ELED from Chicago State University, a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from American College of Education, and a second master’s degree in Educational Technology from Northern Illinois University.
Dr. Barnett describes herself as a very candid person with a lot of ambition that take on challenges that require her to move quickly and traverse difficult obstacles. Indeed, her record of accomplishments as a scholarly student, businesswoman, educator and leader proves her to be a woman of her word. In her free time, Barnett enjoys traveling and spending quality time with her family.
Dr. Barnett believes in serving her community and giving back to the education field. Currently Dr. Barnett is appointed to the Board of Directors of Northern Illinois Alumni Association. As an Advocate for equity and diversity in Computer Science, Dr. Barnett is Vice President for Computer Science for Illinois and serves as Vice President for Computer Science Teacher Association (CSTA) - Chicago Chapter. In addition, she is also working on a nationwide framework for K12 students for Artificial Intelligence.
Dr. Barnett accredits herself for being an overcomer and defeating many challenges in her life. As an African American woman who grew up in an underrepresented community on the South Side of Chicago, she knows first-hand the struggles that plague the inner city youth. She knows how the streets of Chicago can be ripped apart by gun violence and gangs. Despite the inner city struggles, Dr. Barnett is a first generation student to graduate from college and to obtain degrees in higher education in her family.
Dr. Barnett has a bachelor's degree in ELED from Chicago State University, a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from American College of Education, and a second master’s degree in Educational Technology from Northern Illinois University.
Dr. Barnett describes herself as a very candid person with a lot of ambition that take on challenges that require her to move quickly and traverse difficult obstacles. Indeed, her record of accomplishments as a scholarly student, businesswoman, educator and leader proves her to be a woman of her word. In her free time, Barnett enjoys traveling and spending quality time with her family.
Jake Baskin is the Executive Director of the Computer Science Teachers Association, the world’s leading association for K-12 computer science teachers.
He is a former high school computer science teacher, department chair, and professional development provider with the Chicago Public Schools. As a teacher, he focused on increasing access to computing for underrepresented groups and more than doubled female enrollment in introductory computer science classes.
Prior to joining CSTA he was Director of State Government Affairs for Code.org, where he worked with educators and policymakers to advocate for policies that expand access to high-quality computer science education with state departments of education and governor’s offices across the country. In his work at Code.org, he helped to build a nationwide network of more than 40 regional partners that worked with over 100 school districts in the U.S. to
implement comprehensive computer science programs and provide professional learning for teachers.
He is a former high school computer science teacher, department chair, and professional development provider with the Chicago Public Schools. As a teacher, he focused on increasing access to computing for underrepresented groups and more than doubled female enrollment in introductory computer science classes.
Prior to joining CSTA he was Director of State Government Affairs for Code.org, where he worked with educators and policymakers to advocate for policies that expand access to high-quality computer science education with state departments of education and governor’s offices across the country. In his work at Code.org, he helped to build a nationwide network of more than 40 regional partners that worked with over 100 school districts in the U.S. to
implement comprehensive computer science programs and provide professional learning for teachers.
Dr. Maureen Biggers is co-founder and executive director of the Indiana University Center of Excellence for Women & Technology. With over 7000 student, faculty, staff and alumnae affiliates from all disciplines, the center serves to empower women to fully leverage technology in support of academic and professional excellence. Maureen has served as co-chair and is a current Advisory Board member for the Academic Alliance of the National Center for Women & Information Technology, currently serves on the leadership team for CSforIN, and is co-PI and on the leadership team for the NSF funded 23 state Expanding Computing Education Pathways.
Linda W. Braun is a learning consultant with LEO and the continuing education (CE) Consultant for the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). In her work she focuses on designing learning activities that help youth, families, and communities succeed. As CE Consultant for YALSA she organizes a wide-array of professional development and manages two YALSA federally funded Institute of Museum and Library Services projects: Future Ready with the Library - focusing on supporting middle school youth college career readiness and Transforming Teen Services: A Train the Trainer Approach - focusing on building library staff skills in delivering connected learning activities through a computational thinking literacy lens. Linda is the co-author of the Future of Library Services for Teens: A Call to Action, Ready to Code: Connecting CS Opportunities to Youth Through Libraries, Transforming Library Services for and With Teens Through CE, and Putting Teens First in Library Services: A Roadmap. She has Master of Science Degree in Library and Information Science from Simmons College and a Master of Education from Lesley University and is a past president
of YALSA
of YALSA
Abby Cameron is a licensed Illinois educator with a background in elementary education. She earned her Master's of Science in Curriculum & Instruction with a focus on instructional technology from the University of St. Francis in Joliet, IL and is currently a doctoral candidate. Abby has spent the last year outside of the classroom serving as the Director of School Engagement for Illinois with the educational non-profit, Project Lead The Way. Abby currently serves on the board for CSforIL.
Dr. Christina Chhin joined the National Center for Education Research (NCER), within the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), U.S. Department of Education in 2006. She serves as an Education Research Analyst and is the Program Officer for the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education Research topic. She is also the Program Officer for the Research Grants Focused on Systematic Replication competition. Dr. Chhin received her Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies from Pennsylvania State University. Her prior research focused on the role of self-efficacy beliefs in academic achievement, with a special focus on gender differences in STEM achievement.
Bryan Cox is the Computer Science Program Specialist at the Georgia DOE. At the GaDOE, Bryan is responsible for broadening participation in Computer Science educational experiences in Georgia and building Computer Science into a K-12 discipline. He develops and offers training opportunities and other supports for Computer Science teachers and organizes the state Department of Education’s Computer Science Advisory Council. He is a backbone member of the CS4GA collective and serves on several advisory committees for CS initiatives around the state. 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 is currently pursuing a Ph D in Instructional Technology from Georgia State University with a research focus in online learning and computational thinking. He also received a 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 and computer technician as well as working with after-school and summer youth programs.
Lien Diaz has over twenty years of experience in education focusing on computer science and STEM. She was a Principal Investigator on the Broadening Participation in Computer Science Collaborative Research grant funded by the National Science Foundation to develop the new Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles course resulting in over 40K students enrolling in the course in its inception and making it the largest course launch in the history of the AP Program. Lien is a former classroom teacher implementing cutting-edge math and science curricula and pedagogy to engage students in high-quality learning experiences in the classroom. She worked with the Urban Systemic Program and the Mathematics and Science Partnership as a mentor and staff developer where she developed and facilitated professional development, both classroom-based and at scale with teachers, administrators, and local and state leaders, and raised achievement levels in low resource schools. As a CS and STEM ed crusader, Lien’s work is motivated by challenging the status quo to change perspectives of CS education and make transparent the educational issues that must be addressed to obtain equity in school systems across the country.
Chris Dovi, in his role as CodeVA’s Executive Director and chief policy advocate, has worked with state policymakers to redefine Virginia as a leader in computer science education. CodeVA, founded in 2013, was Code.org's first affiliate partner. Chris also serves as chief development officer for CodeVA, as well.
In 2016, Chris wrote and successfully advocated for what became model legislation mandating computer science as a compulsory, foundational literacy subject for every Virginia child. Virginia became the first state in the country to mandate computer science as a core, integrated subject for all students, a mandate that takes full effect during the current school year.
In 2019, Chris wrote and advocated for legislation to provide for Virginia’s adoption of micro-credentials for teacher certification in STEM-C subject areas. The law’s passage again made Virginia the first state to take legislative action on this innovative method of measuring and verifying teacher competency with content and pedagogy toward licensure. The bill has been hailed by the NEA, the Virginia Chamber of Commerce and other state and national organizations.
A former investigative journalist, his career prior to CodeVA focused on government policy and politics, particularly around issues of K-12 education. His reporting efforts led to major institutional changes within Richmond Public Schools, which was forced after decades of noncompliance into affecting more than $20 million in accessibility improvements. His reporting also led to changes in discipline reporting requirements statewide. Chris has his B.S. in mass communications from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he occasionally serves as an adjunct professor.
In 2016, Chris wrote and successfully advocated for what became model legislation mandating computer science as a compulsory, foundational literacy subject for every Virginia child. Virginia became the first state in the country to mandate computer science as a core, integrated subject for all students, a mandate that takes full effect during the current school year.
In 2019, Chris wrote and advocated for legislation to provide for Virginia’s adoption of micro-credentials for teacher certification in STEM-C subject areas. The law’s passage again made Virginia the first state to take legislative action on this innovative method of measuring and verifying teacher competency with content and pedagogy toward licensure. The bill has been hailed by the NEA, the Virginia Chamber of Commerce and other state and national organizations.
A former investigative journalist, his career prior to CodeVA focused on government policy and politics, particularly around issues of K-12 education. His reporting efforts led to major institutional changes within Richmond Public Schools, which was forced after decades of noncompliance into affecting more than $20 million in accessibility improvements. His reporting also led to changes in discipline reporting requirements statewide. Chris has his B.S. in mass communications from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he occasionally serves as an adjunct professor.
Ruthe Farmer has focused on inclusion in technology since 2001 and is Chief Evangelist at CSforALL. She served as Senior Policy Advisor for Tech Inclusion at the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy focusing on President Obama’s call to action for Computer Science for All, and previously strategy and K-12 programs at the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) . She has launched multiple national inclusion programs including Aspirations in Computing, TECHNOLOchicas, the AspireIT outreach program, Lego Robotics for Girl Scouts and more. She served as 2012 Chair of CSEDWeek, was named a White House Champion of Change for Technology Inclusion in 2013, received the Anita Borg Institute Award for Social Impact in 2014, and the UK Alumni Award for Social Impact in 2015. Ruthe holds a BA from Lewis & Clark College and an MBA in Social Entrepreneurship from the University of Oxford.
Prof. Diana Franklin is a Research Associate Professor in the Computer Science Department at the University of Chicago. She is also the Director of Computer Science Education at UChicago STEM Education. She leads four research projects in the area of computer science education. Her lab, CANON (Computing for ANyONe), has a mission to perform the research that will bring high-quality computing education to all students, with particular emphasis on diverse cultural backgrounds and experiential backgrounds.
Ron Guerrier serves as the State of Illinois Chief Information Officer and Secretary for the Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT). Illinois Governor JB Pritzker selected Guerrier to serve in these roles in March of 2019, based on his extensive background and leadership in the innovation and technology fields.
Guerrier has more than 20 years of experience managing technology in the private sector and has served as chief information officer for multibillion-dollar companies since 2012. Most recently, he held the position of CIO at Express Scripts, the nation's largest pharmacy benefit manager, and functioned in the same role at Farmers Insurance Group from 2015 to 2018. Prior to that, Guerrier spent 17 years at Toyota North America, rising from an IT manager to division director to chief technology officer to vice president and chief information officer.
Guerrier earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a master’s degree in operations management and supervision from North Park University. In addition, he has earned a certificate in IT management from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, an executive certificate in developing organizational innovation from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Sloan School of Management, a certificate in innovation from the University of California, Berkeley; and a certificate in IT performance management from Boston University Questrom School of Business.
Guerrier serves as the Chairman of the Board of IS Associates at the University of California, Los Angeles and is the Executive Advisor for STEM Advantage, a non-profit organization that opens doors for young women and underserved communities to pursue their dreams of a career in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Guerrier sits on the Board of Directors of SBP (SBPUSA.org), an organization which assists with the rebuilding of homes after natural disasters.
Throughout his career, Guerrier has earned numerous honors and awards, including the 2019 Top Technology Executive to Watch from HMG Strategy, CIO Breakaway Leader of the Year, Digital Edge50 Award, CIO Lifetime Achievement Award, and was included in the Most Powerful Executives in Corporate America List. He has also written numerous articles for publications such as Entrepreneur, CIO Review and Fortune Magazines.
Guerrier has more than 20 years of experience managing technology in the private sector and has served as chief information officer for multibillion-dollar companies since 2012. Most recently, he held the position of CIO at Express Scripts, the nation's largest pharmacy benefit manager, and functioned in the same role at Farmers Insurance Group from 2015 to 2018. Prior to that, Guerrier spent 17 years at Toyota North America, rising from an IT manager to division director to chief technology officer to vice president and chief information officer.
Guerrier earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a master’s degree in operations management and supervision from North Park University. In addition, he has earned a certificate in IT management from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, an executive certificate in developing organizational innovation from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Sloan School of Management, a certificate in innovation from the University of California, Berkeley; and a certificate in IT performance management from Boston University Questrom School of Business.
Guerrier serves as the Chairman of the Board of IS Associates at the University of California, Los Angeles and is the Executive Advisor for STEM Advantage, a non-profit organization that opens doors for young women and underserved communities to pursue their dreams of a career in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Guerrier sits on the Board of Directors of SBP (SBPUSA.org), an organization which assists with the rebuilding of homes after natural disasters.
Throughout his career, Guerrier has earned numerous honors and awards, including the 2019 Top Technology Executive to Watch from HMG Strategy, CIO Breakaway Leader of the Year, Digital Edge50 Award, CIO Lifetime Achievement Award, and was included in the Most Powerful Executives in Corporate America List. He has also written numerous articles for publications such as Entrepreneur, CIO Review and Fortune Magazines.
Adam J. Hecktman is Director of Corporate Affairs in Microsoft Philanthropies. In this capacity, he works to advance the company’s mission by making the opportunities of our rapidly evolving digital economy accessible to all people, particularly those most at risk of being left behind. Microsoft believes technology is a force for social and economic inclusion, and Adam works to create a future where everyone has access to the benefits it provides and the opportunities it creates.
Prior to this role, Adam worked in Microsoft’s Technology and Corporate Responsibility team to help Chicago’s civic leaders – and the communities they serve – use cutting-edge ideas around technology to solve the city’s biggest social challenges. Prior that, Adam was the Director of the Microsoft Technology Center – Chicago, helping organizations ensure long-term success when facing their toughest business challenges and opportunities. He has been with Microsoft in Chicago since 1991.
Adam received a Bachelor of Science in Commerce and Business Administration from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is currently pursuing his Master of Data Science at DePaul University.
Prior to this role, Adam worked in Microsoft’s Technology and Corporate Responsibility team to help Chicago’s civic leaders – and the communities they serve – use cutting-edge ideas around technology to solve the city’s biggest social challenges. Prior that, Adam was the Director of the Microsoft Technology Center – Chicago, helping organizations ensure long-term success when facing their toughest business challenges and opportunities. He has been with Microsoft in Chicago since 1991.
Adam received a Bachelor of Science in Commerce and Business Administration from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is currently pursuing his Master of Data Science at DePaul University.
Brad Henderson is the founding CEO of P33 where he is leading the nonprofit organization to drive global technology leadership for Chicago and inclusive economic growth for all. He brings twenty-plus years of professional experience and brings a deep understanding of how to unlock economic opportunities that benefit businesses and individuals to P33’s efforts.
Originally from a small town in southern Ohio, he received a scholarship to attend the University of Chicago. Brad joined from Boston Consulting Group (BCG), where he was senior partner and managing director in the Chicago office. Brad joined BCG as a summer associate in 2000, and quickly rose through the ranks to spend 2006 in the Mumbai, India office as part of the BCG Ambassador Program and later lead BCG’s North American Operations Practice.
Brad is an active leader in the Chicago community, serving on the board of trustees for the Chicago History Museum, the Association House in Humboldt Park and Interfaith Youth Core. He also serves on the board of ACCION US Network and Impact Engine. He was a BCG Bruce Henderson Institute (BHI) Fellow and is a member of the World Economic Forum Young Global Leaders program.
A Rhodes Scholar, Brad has earned multiple degrees with distinction, including a Bachelor of Arts in Economics with Honors (1997-2001) and Master of Arts in Social Science from the University of Chicago (2000-2001), a Master of Science in Economic and Social History from University of Oxford Balliol College (2001-2002).
Originally from a small town in southern Ohio, he received a scholarship to attend the University of Chicago. Brad joined from Boston Consulting Group (BCG), where he was senior partner and managing director in the Chicago office. Brad joined BCG as a summer associate in 2000, and quickly rose through the ranks to spend 2006 in the Mumbai, India office as part of the BCG Ambassador Program and later lead BCG’s North American Operations Practice.
Brad is an active leader in the Chicago community, serving on the board of trustees for the Chicago History Museum, the Association House in Humboldt Park and Interfaith Youth Core. He also serves on the board of ACCION US Network and Impact Engine. He was a BCG Bruce Henderson Institute (BHI) Fellow and is a member of the World Economic Forum Young Global Leaders program.
A Rhodes Scholar, Brad has earned multiple degrees with distinction, including a Bachelor of Arts in Economics with Honors (1997-2001) and Master of Arts in Social Science from the University of Chicago (2000-2001), a Master of Science in Economic and Social History from University of Oxford Balliol College (2001-2002).
Jeremy Keeshin is the CEO and co-founder of CodeHS, a comprehensive online platform to teach computer science to high schools and middle schools. He is a leading expert in computer science education and education technology, and has visited over 150 schools for computer science all over the country. The CodeHS platform is now used by hundreds of thousands of students and is the largest platform for coding in high schools. He previously was a computer science student and teaching assistant at Stanford, helping to teach courses, manage the introductory program, and build tools before starting CodeHS.
Dr. Allyson Kennedy is a Program Director in the National Science Foundation’s Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE). Through the CISE CSforAll: Researcher-Practitioner Partnership and Broadening Participation in Computing programs, Allyson evaluates and supports initiatives to make computer science education inclusive for all students.
While receiving her Ph.D. in Integrative Life Sciences at Virginia Commonwealth University, Allyson fostered a passion for educational equity through teaching, community outreach, and science communication. These experiences heavily influenced her appreciation of culturally relevant, hands-on learning strategies to improve student outcomes. She continuously works to expand student access to STEM through inclusive approaches to computer science and computational thinking.
While receiving her Ph.D. in Integrative Life Sciences at Virginia Commonwealth University, Allyson fostered a passion for educational equity through teaching, community outreach, and science communication. These experiences heavily influenced her appreciation of culturally relevant, hands-on learning strategies to improve student outcomes. She continuously works to expand student access to STEM through inclusive approaches to computer science and computational thinking.
David Klick is an assistant professor in the Computer and Information Systems Department at Kishwaukee College, Malta, IL. He teaches computer programming in a variety of languages, web design/programming, Linux, information systems, and use of productivity software. For his own education and entertainment, he enjoys learning programming languages that implement new programming paradigms. Klick received his M.S. in Computer Science from Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and his B.S. in Computer Science from Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Kenton Machina is the co-director of Illinois State University’s Computer Science subsequent endorsement program, 2013-present. Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and former occupant of the Andes Chair in General Education, Illinois State. Co-author of numerous research papers and presentations on STEMC education, and on relating mathematical logic or natural science to fundamental non-scientific notions such as semantic meaning or personal responsibility.
Dr. Ernesto Matias is a strong instructional and cultural leader with a solid record of improving student outcomes. He started his professional teaching career in Montana as a social studies educator at Lustre High School from 1990 to 1993. He then moved to Evansville, Indiana, in 1994 to teach social studies at Bosse High School. His willingness to embrace change, guide, and inspire others led him to be nominated for District Teacher of the Year during his time there. He returned in 1997 to his hometown of Chicago, where he taught at Moos Elementary School until 2002. While teaching at Moos Elementary, he was nominated for the 1999 Golden Apple Teacher of the Year Award. Dr. Matias left Moos Elementary to become the assistant principal at Kanoon Magnet Elementary School from 2002 to 2008. While at Kanoon, he received the Associated Colleges of Illinois Shining Example of Liberal Arts for Leadership award. Dr. Matias was also awarded the Arne Duncan Award for Educational Equity in 2009.
Dr. Matias moved on to become the principal of Wells Community Academy in the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) from 2008 to 2013. He mentored four resident principals during his tenure there and successfully transformed the professional culture through school-based and team-led professional development. After serving as deputy chief of schools for the CPS Office of Strategic School Support Services, Dr. Matias was promoted to chief of schools for Network 4 in 2014. He served there for three years before being named academic chief of the CPS Office of Language and Cultural Education, where he was responsible for supporting more than 70,000 English Learners. Dr. Matias was named to the 2018 Cohort of the McCormick Foundation Executive Fellows program. He started his latest adventure on July 1, 2019, when he became the chief education officer for the Illinois State Board of Education, which serves more than 2 million students in 852 districts throughout the State of Illinois.
Dr. Matias moved on to become the principal of Wells Community Academy in the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) from 2008 to 2013. He mentored four resident principals during his tenure there and successfully transformed the professional culture through school-based and team-led professional development. After serving as deputy chief of schools for the CPS Office of Strategic School Support Services, Dr. Matias was promoted to chief of schools for Network 4 in 2014. He served there for three years before being named academic chief of the CPS Office of Language and Cultural Education, where he was responsible for supporting more than 70,000 English Learners. Dr. Matias was named to the 2018 Cohort of the McCormick Foundation Executive Fellows program. He started his latest adventure on July 1, 2019, when he became the chief education officer for the Illinois State Board of Education, which serves more than 2 million students in 852 districts throughout the State of Illinois.
Juan Navarro is an Associate Director of K-12 Education Policy at the College Board, where he leads the computer science policy portfolio. Before joining the College Board, Juan spent four years working on Capitol Hill for a Member of Congress.
Jim Nelson is Vice President of Education and Workforce Policy for the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. In that role, he serves as Executive Director of the IMA Education Foundation and the association’s education and workforce policy initiatives. In addition, Jim is responsible for Special Projects for the IMA and has coordinated activities for the Small Manufacturers Council and the Young Leaders Council.
Previous to joining the IMA in 2003, Jim served as a Legislative Liaison in various Illinois administrative agencies serving three Illinois governors over a 25-year span. In that role, he helped shape and coordinate policy for Illinois’ Corrections, Riverboat Gambling and Employment Security agencies. In all, he has been involved in the Illinois Executive and Legislative branches since 1977.
Jim is a licensed private pilot and recently retired as a NCAA and Illinois High School soccer official.
Previous to joining the IMA in 2003, Jim served as a Legislative Liaison in various Illinois administrative agencies serving three Illinois governors over a 25-year span. In that role, he helped shape and coordinate policy for Illinois’ Corrections, Riverboat Gambling and Employment Security agencies. In all, he has been involved in the Illinois Executive and Legislative branches since 1977.
Jim is a licensed private pilot and recently retired as a NCAA and Illinois High School soccer official.
Anthony Owen serves as the Chief State STEM Officer, and as the State Director of Computer Science Education for Arkansas; both positions are housed within the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE). From 2011 until July 2015, he has served as ADE’s K-12 Mathematics and Computer Science Curriculum Specialist.
As the State Director of Computer Science Education, a position he has held since its creation in July 2015, Anthony leads the development and implementation of Governor Asa Hutchinson’s Computer Science Initiative. In this role, Owen coordinates with multiple national and state entities including K-12 educators, representatives from higher education, and business and industry leaders to ensure Arkansas’s efforts in computer science are relevant to the needs of the state and nation. At a national level, Anthony serves as a board member for the National Computer Science Teachers Association, served as a member of the Southern Regional Education Board’s Commission on Computer Science, Information Technology and Related Career Fields, and served as a writer of the K-12 Computer Science Community Framework. Anthony also worked closely with Governor Hutchinson’s Computer Science Task Force, which identified the state’s computer science and technology needs.
As the Chief State STEM Officer, a position created by the ADE and assumed by Anthony in May of 2018, he is charged with ensuring all state educational efforts in the sciences, technologies, engineering, and mathematics disciplines are in line with the ADE vision to transform Arkansas to lead the nation in student-focused education as his office has done with computer science education since 2015. In addition to the state’s strong computer science specialist team, Anthony now oversees a statewide network of more than 50 content specialists dedicated to training Arkansas teachers in STEM content knowledge and successful teaching strategies.
Anthony received a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with a double minor in Education and Computer Science from Henderson State University (HSU) in Arkadelphia, Arkansas in 2005 and a Master of Science in Education in Educational Leadership from HSU in 2007. He received a Juris Doctorate from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Bowen School of Law in 2013 and was admitted to the Arkansas Bar in 2014.
As the State Director of Computer Science Education, a position he has held since its creation in July 2015, Anthony leads the development and implementation of Governor Asa Hutchinson’s Computer Science Initiative. In this role, Owen coordinates with multiple national and state entities including K-12 educators, representatives from higher education, and business and industry leaders to ensure Arkansas’s efforts in computer science are relevant to the needs of the state and nation. At a national level, Anthony serves as a board member for the National Computer Science Teachers Association, served as a member of the Southern Regional Education Board’s Commission on Computer Science, Information Technology and Related Career Fields, and served as a writer of the K-12 Computer Science Community Framework. Anthony also worked closely with Governor Hutchinson’s Computer Science Task Force, which identified the state’s computer science and technology needs.
As the Chief State STEM Officer, a position created by the ADE and assumed by Anthony in May of 2018, he is charged with ensuring all state educational efforts in the sciences, technologies, engineering, and mathematics disciplines are in line with the ADE vision to transform Arkansas to lead the nation in student-focused education as his office has done with computer science education since 2015. In addition to the state’s strong computer science specialist team, Anthony now oversees a statewide network of more than 50 content specialists dedicated to training Arkansas teachers in STEM content knowledge and successful teaching strategies.
Anthony received a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with a double minor in Education and Computer Science from Henderson State University (HSU) in Arkadelphia, Arkansas in 2005 and a Master of Science in Education in Educational Leadership from HSU in 2007. He received a Juris Doctorate from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Bowen School of Law in 2013 and was admitted to the Arkansas Bar in 2014.
Kevin Reeves, Enterprise Technology Intern/STEM Manager has been a State Farm employee for nearly 30 years. During his 30 years, Kevin has held a variety of different roles within Claims, Agency, Human Resources, and now with Enterprise Technology. Six years ago, Kevin joined an Enterprise Technology project which would result in the creation of the State Farm STEM Team. A vision statement was created for the future to:
Currently our STEM program influences thousands of McLean County students each year, as well as providing STEM resources to our McLean County School Districts.
- Build and strengthen IT awareness for K-12 and college students to generate excitement and interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) careers.
- Strategically engage in STEM activities and events in each of the four sites at a local level to further promote IT STEM in the community, as well as State Farm’s brand.
- Actively educate and encourage students to enter STEM fields, becoming lifelong learners; deepening community associations, visibility in the public eye, and meeting technology workforce demands of the future.
- Recruit top STEM students for internships, as well as long-term employment with State Farm.
Currently our STEM program influences thousands of McLean County students each year, as well as providing STEM resources to our McLean County School Districts.
Sean Roberts leads Code.org's policy work across the country. A former classroom teacher, he has led state advocacy efforts in areas such as funding equity, teacher certification, and school accountability. Building strong partnerships is a hallmark of Sean’s work. Prior to joining code.org, Sean served as executive director of a school advocacy association and a district human capital consultant.
Mr. Nick Stoyas’ passion for CS can be traced all the way back to his first experience using an old Gateway computer running Windows 95 to play an animated chess game with his father. A Former Associate Principal, Technology Integrationist, and CS, Engineering, and Technology educator, Mr. Stoyas now serves as the Curriculum and Instruction Manager for the Office of Computer Science at Chicago Public Schools (CPS). Mr. Stoyas sees Chicago as a beacon for diversity, progress, and change. His work focuses on building out and aligning curricula, implementing structures that drive data-based decision making processes, and implementing enrichment opportunities for educators and students. He remains motivated by the work of his colleagues, and team at CPS, to bring impactful experiences and opportunities to all Chicago neighborhoods and communities.
Don Yanek is an instructional coach for the Office of Computer Science at Chicago Public Schools, a veteran high school teacher, a founder and former President of the Chicago Chapter of the Computer Science Teachers Association, and co-PI on the National Science Foundation [NSF] Computing Education grants, Accelerate ECS For All and the Chicago Alliance For Equity in Computer Science (CAFÉCS). The goal of the Accelerate ECS For All research grant is to develop a coaching and peer mentoring protocol for Computer Science teachers. He is a former co-PI on the NSF CE21 Taste of Computing Grant to facilitate professional development for teachers in Chicago and Illinois. Don is a national Exploring Computer Science teacher professional development facilitator, a pilot for the AP CS Principles course, an APCSA teacher, and an advisor for the Teacher Education in Computer Science [TECS] program at Illinois State University, the Illinois CS Task Force, and Computer Science for Oregon. He’s a National Center for Women & Information Technology Aspirations in Computing Educator Award winner and plays drums in the indie/rock band The Purcells.
Panel Moderators
Becky Goldberg is the Program Manager for the STEM Challenge initiative at the Illinois Science and Technology Institute (ISTI). She holds a B.A in Environmental and Global Health from the University of Wisconsin- Madison and a Masters of Science in Education from Johns Hopkins University. Prior to joining the ISTI team, Becky served as a middle school math teacher and STEM Coordinator in Charlotte, NC. Becky was an active participant in district-wide initiatives to evaluate and implement equitable practices within STEM education.
As a Program Manager, Becky works to ensure high dosage, high impact opportunities for high school students to connect with STEM professionals around authentic industry challenges.
As a Program Manager, Becky works to ensure high dosage, high impact opportunities for high school students to connect with STEM professionals around authentic industry challenges.
Todd Lash is currently a doctoral student in Special Education at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and a research associate at the Creative Technology Research Lab (University of Florida). Todd’s research interests include increasing the equity in and access to high-quality computer science education for all students. He studies the integration of computer science into K-5 curricula, instructional strategies that address the challenges faced by struggling learners in CSed and how Universal Design For Learning (UDL) may be used as a way to engage all learners. Previously, Todd worked at CSforALL as a research associate and served as a K-5 educator for 17 years.
Luc Paquette is an Assistant Professor in Curriculum & Instruction at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He leads the Illinois Secondary Teacher Education and Computer Science (I-STECS) initiative to develop endorsement and licensure programs for high school computer science education. His research focuses on the usage of machine learning, data mining and knowledge engineering approaches to analyze and build predictive models of the behavior of students as they interact with digital learning environments such as MOOCs, intelligent tutoring systems and educational games. He is interested in studying how those behaviors are related to learning outcomes and how predictive models of those behaviors can be used to better support the students’ learning experience.
Kandace Turner, Assistant Director for Economic Development, assists in the overall operation of the Office of the Vice President for Economic Development and Innovation (VPEDI), which includes strategic planning, human resources, fiscal and administrative functions, while also directing activities that drive economic development and enhance connections among Illinois-based corporate, government, community and university stakeholders. Kandace also assists with managing and growing the Illinois Innovation Network (IIN) with a focus on education and workforce development.
Prior to joining the Office of the President of the University of Illinois System and later VPEDI, Kandace managed advanced data projects at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Kandace earned a B.S. in Organizational Leadership from Millikin University. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in information management from the iSchool at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Prior to joining the Office of the President of the University of Illinois System and later VPEDI, Kandace managed advanced data projects at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Kandace earned a B.S. in Organizational Leadership from Millikin University. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in information management from the iSchool at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Jerry B. Weinberg is Associate Provost for Research, Dean of the Graduate School and Professor of the Computer Science at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. He holds a B.S. in nursing from Indiana State University, a B.S. in computer science from the University of South Carolina, and a Ph.D. in computer science from Vanderbilt University. Prior to joining the Graduate School in 2010, he was Chair of the Department of Computer Science and Graduate Program Director of Computer Science.
Dr. Weinberg served on the 2017 Illinois Task Force on Computer Science Education. He has also served as President of the Illinois Association of Graduate Schools and currently serves as the Chair of the Council of Graduate Schools Masters Advisory Committee. He conducts research in Mobile Robotics, Human-Computer Interaction, and STEM K-20 Education. Dr. Weinberg has served as PI or Co-Pi on over 20 grants including nine National Science Foundation grants totaling over $2.5 million.
Dr. Weinberg served on the 2017 Illinois Task Force on Computer Science Education. He has also served as President of the Illinois Association of Graduate Schools and currently serves as the Chair of the Council of Graduate Schools Masters Advisory Committee. He conducts research in Mobile Robotics, Human-Computer Interaction, and STEM K-20 Education. Dr. Weinberg has served as PI or Co-Pi on over 20 grants including nine National Science Foundation grants totaling over $2.5 million.