Marie desJardins, associate dean of the College of Engineering and Information Technology and professor of computer science, recently wrote a piece for The Baltimore Sun about the importance of computer science education in K–12 schools. She is a leader in the artificial intelligence field and has been nationally recognized for her commitment to mentoring, work increasing diversity in computing, and success expanding computer science education in K–12 schools.

In the op-ed, desJardins writes about why it is important to expose K–12 students to computer science, for both their benefit (in terms of expanded career options) and the benefit of fields that rely on STEM talent. “The need for computer science and computational thinking skills is becoming pervasive not just in the world of software engineers, but in fields as varied as science, design, marketing, and public policy,” she writes.

desJardins describes in the Sun her work with “CS Matters in Maryland,” an initiative that seeks to ensure all students across the state have access to computer science education as part of their regular curriculum. “Our ‘CS Matters in Maryland’ project has trained high school teachers in all of the state’s school systems, emphasizing equity and inclusion for all student demographics and all school systems,” she says.

While this particular project focuses on the state of Maryland, desJardins has been honored across the U.S. for her work in the field. In the past month alone, she has received the Distinguished Alumni Award in Computer Science from UC Berkeley, her alma mater and was formally recognized as a fellow of the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence.

“I was absolutely overwhelmed when I learned that I had been named one of UC Berkeley’s two Outstanding Alumni in Computer Science for 2018, joining a group of computer scientists for which I have immense respect and admiration,” desJardins said. “It is hard to put into words how much it meant to me to have received this award in the same week that I was inducted as a Fellow of the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence, a recognition that only a handful of AI scientists receive each year. It is especially meaningful to me that the citations on both awards refer equally to my research and to my mentoring, teaching, and diversity efforts.”

A recent interview with Iridescent brings together desJardin’s research on “intelligent learning” — how robots can learn to solve complicated tasks in complex settings — with her work with students from diverse backgrounds, across all majors. In describing UMBC’s Grand Challenge Scholars Program, she highlights how technology matters, but can’t stand alone — how combining the perspectives of people from all backgrounds and all fields is essential to solving the world’s problems.

“Getting these students together from really different perspectives and having them talk about some of these hard problems is initially really exciting and also very hard,” she explains. “Then, it gets easier. The initial barrier is often just one of language and perspective.”

desJardins continues to work to bridge those divides through her teaching, advocacy, and research, and is now recognized by both Forbes and TechRepublic as a top artificial intelligence expert to follow online.

Read the entire piece in The Baltimore Sun, “All Kids Should Have a Computer Science Education.“

Prof. Marie desJardins, new AAAI fellow, advocates for CS education in K–12 schools

Marie desJardins, associate dean of the College of Engineering and Information Technology and professor of computer science, recently wrote a piece for The Baltimore Sun about the importance of computer science education in K–12 schools. She is a leader in the artificial intelligence field and has been nationally recognized for her commitment to mentoring, work increasing diversity in computing, and success expanding computer science education in K–12 schools.

In the op-ed, desJardins writes about why it is important to expose K–12 students to computer science, for both their benefit (in terms of expanded career options) and the benefit of fields that rely on STEM talent. “The need for computer science and computational thinking skills is becoming pervasive not just in the world of software engineers, but in fields as varied as science, design, marketing, and public policy,” she writes.

desJardins describes in the Sun her work with “CS Matters in Maryland,” an initiative that seeks to ensure all students across the state have access to computer science education as part of their regular curriculum. “Our ‘CS Matters in Maryland’ project has trained high school teachers in all of the state’s school systems, emphasizing equity and inclusion for all student demographics and all school systems,” she says.

While this particular project focuses on the state of Maryland, desJardins has been honored across the U.S. for her work in the field. In the past month alone, she has received the Distinguished Alumni Award in Computer Science from UC Berkeley, her alma mater and was formally recognized as a fellow of the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence.

“I was absolutely overwhelmed when I learned that I had been named one of UC Berkeley’s two Outstanding Alumni in Computer Science for 2018, joining a group of computer scientists for which I have immense respect and admiration,” desJardins said. “It is hard to put into words how much it meant to me to have received this award in the same week that I was inducted as a Fellow of the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence, a recognition that only a handful of AI scientists receive each year. It is especially meaningful to me that the citations on both awards refer equally to my research and to my mentoring, teaching, and diversity efforts.”

A recent interview with Iridescent brings together desJardin’s research on “intelligent learning” — how robots can learn to solve complicated tasks in complex settings — with her work with students from diverse backgrounds, across all majors. In describing UMBC’s Grand Challenge Scholars Program, she highlights how technology matters, but can’t stand alone — how combining the perspectives of people from all backgrounds and all fields is essential to solving the world’s problems.

“Getting these students together from really different perspectives and having them talk about some of these hard problems is initially really exciting and also very hard,” she explains. “Then, it gets easier. The initial barrier is often just one of language and perspective.”

desJardins continues to work to bridge those divides through her teaching, advocacy, and research, and is now recognized by both Forbes and TechRepublic as a top artificial intelligence expert to follow online.

Read the entire piece in The Baltimore Sun, “All Kids Should Have a Computer Science Education.“

Adapted from an article in UMBC News by Megan Hanks.

The post Prof. Marie desJardins, new AAAI fellow, advocates for CS education in K–12 schools appeared first on Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering.

“I think every child deserves access to a world class education,” says John Olszewski Jr., a statement that rings true with his past. Olszewski was an educator for seven years, a first-generation college student and recent recipient of a  PhD in Public Policy from UMBC in December. Olszewski, also a former state delegate and a Baltimore County native, is running for Baltimore County executive.

Olszewski, better known as “Johnny O” through his campaign, grew up in Dundalk, Maryland. The closure of a steel mill in the area negatively affected his community, which first incited his desire to give back to those around him.

“That context of seeing people lose their jobs, their homes and their hope, is what pushed me to not only fight for fair wages and benefits, but for the people I represented and all Marylanders,” said Olszewski.

After earning bachelor’s degrees in political science and American studies from Goucher College, Olszewski furthered his education by earning his MA in political management at George Washington University, and eventually coming to UMBC and earning his PhD in Public Policy. His word of advice to students looking to be politically active is: “Don’t wait for someone to make the decisions for you, and don’t feel like you have to wait your turn. If you put the time and work in now, you can still be impactful as a college student.” He welcomes all students looking for a place to start to his campaign.

The first job Olszewski pursued after college was as a public educator for at Patapsco High School & Center for the Arts in Baltimore County. During his seven years as a teacher, he saw a need for growth in after school programs, an investment in school infrastructure to improve the learning environment of schools.

“I remember the children who came to school who had difficulty learning because they hadn’t had breakfast that day,” said Olszewski. Students along with educators were struggling because we didn’t have air conditioning, and there were sweltering heat conditions. It opened my eyes up to the tremendous needs of the community, but also the tremendous possibilities.”

Olszewski recognized during his time as an educator that in order for students to succeed, there must be a strong education from start to finish. He endorses universal pre-k for Baltimore County residents and tuition-free community college for students seeking job certifications. While he supports tuition-free college for all Baltimore County residents, emphasizing the importance of making college accessible to recent high school graduates, Olszewski acknowledges that this requires a longer process with multiple phases.

Elected as a state delegate at 23 years old representing the sixth district, and then elected for a second term after, Olszewski has been a familiar face in Maryland politics for nearly a decade. During his time as a state delegate, he was an original sponsor of the paid sick leave law, which passed in 2017. He also played an important role in bringing in over 1,000 Amazon jobs to the Port of Baltimore.

Olszewski believes in creating a government that is more accessible, transparent and open to the public. He was the only candidate for County Executive who called for transparency in how funds for campaigns are raised, and believes in rejecting big money in politics; an issue that plagues politicians from federal to local levels.

His campaign focuses on getting to the basics of what a community is built on, and on bettering the relationship between citizens and government, as well as connecting residents to jobs in the community.  He said, “If we can do these things, that is the core of what I track progress for communities.”

INSTEAD OF BRINGING THE COMPANIES TO CAMPUS, WE’RE TAKING YOU TO THE COMPANY!

Join the Career Center on an employer visit to The Volvo Group in Hagerstown, MD. The Volvo Group is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of trucks, buses, construction equipment and marine and industrial engines. 

EVENT DATE: March 9th 

MEET AT:  Administration Drive Circle, behind the Retriever Activities Center (RAC)

DEPARTURE TIME: 7:30 am SHARP 

RETURN TIME: approximately 3pm

The agenda will include a tour followed by lunch, where you will have the opportunity to network with hiring managers and current interns. A light lunch will be provided. After lunch there will be an information session where you will learn about opportunities available.

*If you require special accommodations for this event due to a disability, please notify us at least two weeks prior to the event. Requests received after that time cannot be guaranteed, but we will do our best to make the proper arrangements. Please email careers@umbc.edu with your specific request - be sure to include title, date, and time of the event.

Closed toed shoes are required. No heels! Business casual attire. 

Majors: Mechanical Engineering 

TRANSPORTATION:

Transportation is provided, but an RSVP is required. You will receive confirmation of your registration prior to the trip date. Space is limited, with a a few seats remaining. You may register under the events tab in UMBCworks. Click on “Events” and then search “Info Sessions”. 

If you do not attend this event and have not canceled your reservation, your student account will be charged $25 to cover expenses incurred by the Career Center.

Contact Chrisi Giannakaris with questions at chrisig@umbc.edu 

Three Writing Center tutors and the director will travel to Rowan University March 23rd and 24th to present their ideas at the Mid-Atlantic Writing Center Association (MAWCA) Conference!

Here is what they will be talking about:

Olivia Hardy (Health Administration and Policy Program):

In a story session style presentation, I plan to explain how I find myself actively trying to dismantle some of the connotations that surround the writing center, and how I place an importance on establishing acceptance and creating a safe space where individuals from every background feel that they have a safe space on campus.

This is in part achieved by 1.) being individual and 2.) being accepting.

Tanya Ramsey (Psychology/Social Work) and Domenique Brown (English/Psychology):

"Narrating Past Privilege Through Social Identity"

In order to evaluate the perpetuation of dominant cultural values in writing, participants will have the opportunity to complete self-assessments to discover the degree of privilege that has affected them personally as well as explore their social identity in concrete terms. The group will collectively debrief after each assessment by engaging in a reflective dialogue and answering questions of how this activity has enlightened their position within the workplace and respectfully discuss dynamics that these differences may present.

Elaine MacDougall (Director of the Writing Center/English Lecturer)

"The Power of Silence and Stillness in Writing Center Conversations"

Many of our conversations today are fragmented and distracted due to our fast-paced, technological world. Creating a space where silence, stillness, and listening are encouraged can deepen our conversations and connections in the Writing Center, which could help reduce anxiety surrounding the writing process.

Stop by the Writing Center and see our work for yourself!! Link to our schedule below!