CSSE faculty member appointed to serve on Governor's Advisory Council for Computer Science Education
Published: Jun 13, 2024 3:00 PM
By Joe McAdory
Daniela Marghitu’s reputation as an advocate for computer science education has reached the Alabama governor’s office.
Marghitu, director of Auburn University’s Laboratory for Education and Assistive Technology and faculty within the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering (CSSE), was appointed on June 6 to the Governor’s Advisory Council for Computer Science Education.
In this role, she will apply 27-plus years of experience to help form strategies and policies geared to develop a unified state vision for computer science education. The goal: offer computer science education courses in each of Alabama’s 327 public high schools.
“I am incredibly honored and touched to have the opportunity to work with this council and explore innovative avenues to expose schoolchildren in the state of Alabama to computer science,” said Marghitu, whose hallmark of service includes K-12 outreach and award-winning research and curricula that provides computer science education opportunities for the underserved. “I will use my knowledge as a college professor to recommend realistic solutions and create actions that quickly and successfully implement the governor’s dream. I’ll be honest and open.”
Marghitu, appointed in March to The College Board to serve on its Advanced Placement Computer Science Development Committee, said it’s vital that children are introduced to computer science at an early age, but not necessarily to become computer scientists.
“When introduced to computer science, children are also introduced to computational thinking,” she said. “Any successful professional needs to have a very logical, balanced way of thinking. We need children to develop this reasoning because it can help with mathematics, physics, chemistry and the arts.”
And, ultimately, the state’s economic development.
Since 1993, the automobile industry — including manufacturers and suppliers — has added nearly 70,000 new jobs in Alabama. The state’s industrial growth, including firms like ThyssenKrupp, U.S. Steel and Nucor, have added more than 10,000 jobs. With more growth projected, Marghitu wants Alabamians to have those jobs.
“Look how much industry we’ve had coming into Alabama,” Marghitu said. “These companies need well-prepared people. Why not well-educated people from right here in Alabama? It starts with a computer science education.”
In a letter to Marghitu, Gov. Kay Ivey wrote, “Your current efforts to expand computer science education are incredibly noble, but there is much more work to be done. As governor, I recognize the need for unity and collaboration across all sectors of education, business and industry. Appointing you to this position comes with great responsibility because you will be making important decisions that affect the citizens of Alabama.
“Appointing you to this position comes with great responsibility because you will be making important decisions that affect the citizens of Alabama,” Ivey continued. “Honesty and integrity are two virtues I prioritize for my administration to exemplify, and I know that you will do the same while serving our great state.”
CSSE Department Chair Hari Narayanan said Marghitu’s inclusion in the governor’s council is in recognition of her passion for and contributions to K-12 computer science education and elevates CSSE’s and Auburn Engineering’s role in advancing the state’s K-12 curricula.
“Dr. Marghitu has spent a career raising awareness and creating new pathways for students of all backgrounds to learn necessary computer skills,” he said. “As technology continues to evolve, it’s important that tomorrow’s workforce evolves with it. I look forward to seeing the impact of Dr. Marghitu’s contributions on this very important council.”
In 20 years as a researcher at Auburn University, Marghitu has received eight awards for research and education projects from National Science Foundation and is the architect of a new CSSE pilot course, “Designing and Developing Accessible and Assistive Computing Systems, Concepts and Skills.”
Marghitu’s appointment marks the fourth time Auburn CSSE subject matter experts or administrators have been called upon by the Alabama Governor’s Office. Narayaran and Professor Gerry Dozier were appointed by Ivey to the Alabama State Commission on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Assisted Technologies in 2019. Narayaran was appointed by Ivey to the Alabama State Task Force on Generative AI earlier this year.
Media Contact: , jem0040@auburn.edu, 334.844.3447
Daniela Marghitu was appointed on June 6 to the Governor's Advisory Council for Computer Science Education.
