Jennifer Polack
Professor of Computer Science University of Mary Washington
- Fredericksburg VA
Computer science educator striving to inspire students and equip them with skills and perspectives to navigate today's interconnected world.
University of Mary Washington
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Biography
At the University of Mary Washington, Professor Polack teaches courses ranging from Introduction to Computer Science and Data Structures to Computer Ethics, Game Programming, and Computer Graphics. A dedicated educator, she strives to inspire students and equip them with the skills and perspectives to navigate today’s interconnected world. In her Software Engineering course, student teams partner with nonprofit organizations to design and deploy real-world web and database systems. She also co-founded the Nonprofit FOSS Institute, which develops open-source software solutions tailored to the needs of mission-driven organizations.
Areas of Expertise
Accomplishments
Community-Engaged Software Development
2025-09-01
Leads UMW’s Software Engineering course, where students collaborate with nonprofits to design and deploy web/database systems. Past partners include Gwyneth’s Gift, STEP VA, and Empowerhouse.
Nonprofit FOSS Institute (NPFI)
2025-09-01
Co-founder of an initiative promoting free and open-source software tailored for nonprofit use, emphasizing collaboration between students, nonprofits, and technology partners.
Education
University of South Florida
Ph.D.
Post-Graduate Studies
Pace University
M.S.
Graduate Studies
University of Scranton
B.S.
Undergraduate Studies
Research Grants
Special Project Grant for Innovative Curriculum Work on 3-D Virtual Collaboration Environments
Association for Computing Machinery’s (ACM) Special Interest Group on Computer Science Education (SIGCSE)
2006-01-01
Recipient of the ACM SIGCSE Special Project Grant for innovative curriculum work on 3-D virtual collaboration environments. SIGCSE is a prestigious global community of computer science educators within ACM, the world’s largest computing society.
Courses
CPSC 106 Digital Storytelling
This course explores how computing tools can be used for digital storytelling.
CPSC 110 Introduction to Computer Science
This course provides a foundation in programming, problem-solving, algorithms, and core computing concepts.
CPSC 220 Computer Science I
This course introduces fundamental programming concepts and techniques in computer science.
CPSC 302 Computer Ethics
This course examines ethical issues and professional responsibilities in computing and technology.
CPSC 340 Data Structures
This course covers the design, use, and analysis of common data structures in computing.
CPSC 430 Software Engineering
This course covers methods and practices for designing, building, and managing software systems. Student teams develop and deploy real-world software/database solutions for nonprofits.
CPSC 440 Game Programming
This course explores the principles and techniques used to design and program computer games.
CPSC 444 Computer Graphics
This course introduces concepts and techniques for generating and manipulating computer graphics.
Articles
AI Intersections: Ethics, Education, and Technological Philosophy
Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges 40.3 (2024): 21-23.Polack, J Reno, Michael J., et al.
2024-01-01
An analysis of AI ethics, education, and technological philosophy.
Big Interview, Big Deal: Connecting Academic Experiences to Careers with Interview Practice
Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges 40.3 (2024): 72-72.Jennifer Polack and Karen Anewalt.
2024-01-01
A discussion of academic experiences and connecting them to careers with interview practice.
Industry Trends in Software Engineering: Alumni Perspectives
Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges 39.3 (2023): 159-170.Jennifer Polack and Karen Anewalt.
2023-01-01
A discussion with alumni and an examination of industry trends in software engineering.
Student Perceptions of Computer Science Course Experiences During and After the COVID Pandemic
Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges 38.3 (2022): 51-60.Polack, Jennifer, and Karen Anewalt
2022-01-01
An analysis of student perceptions of computer science courses during and after the 2020 pandemic.
Survey of COVID online teaching methodologies and how they can be used in the traditional classroom
Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges 37.3 (2021): 160-160.Polack, Jennifer
2021-01-01
A summary of the results of a survey regarding online teaching methods used during the COVID pandemic and a discussion of whether they can be effectively used in traditional classroom settings.
Interdisciplinary research experience in computer science and biological sciences
Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges 36.3 (2020): 63-69.Waters, Parrish, and Jennifer A. Polack
2020-01-01
A examination of research in the areas of computer science and biological sciences.
Playing to Learn: Using Hands-on Activities to Boost Learning in Computer Science
Proceedings of the 49th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science EducationKaren Anneal and Jennifer Polack
2018-01-01
A review of hands-on activities that boost learning in computer science.
A Curriculum Model Featuring Oral Communication Instruction and Practice
In Proceedings of the 2017 ACM SIGCSE Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education (SIGCSE '17). ACM, New York, NY, USA, 33-37. DOI:Karen Anewalt and Jennifer Polack
2017-01-01
Good oral communication skills are essential for success in the workplace. We have implemented a curriculum that provides communication skills instruction and practice at each level of the computer science major. Here we present a description of the coursework emphasizing formal presentation and small group communication skills. We also share findings from a survey of alumni showing their perception of communication preparation. Even in our program that provides significant opportunities for communication skill development, the majority of alumni felt that additional instruction should be integrated into the major curriculum.
Enhancing software engineering education using teaching aids in 3-D online virtual worlds
Frontiers in Education Conference2007-10-13
Three-dimensional online virtual worlds such as second life support avatar-based communications, a wide spectrum of online activities, and development of various in-world teaching and learning tools. We have experimented with second life in two computer science classes, one at Ohio University, the other at the University of Mary Washington, to enhance software engineering education. We used Second Life as an innovative collaboration and communication tool both in and outside classroom to help facilitate teamwork and interactions among student project team members. Second Life was also used as the virtual office for instructors and teaching assistants to answer students' questions during office hours. In addition, we developed two multi-player online software engineering educational games in second life, one based on the....
It is time to stand up and communicate
Frontiers in Education Conference2001-10-18
In today's technological market, job candidates must possess technical and communication skills to acquire a desired position. Computer science programs, for the most part, provide the technological training, but are inconsistent in teaching students all the necessary communication skills. In many computer science curricula faculty members realizing the importance of improving writing ability have incorporated writing intensive courses. However, many computer science curricula neglect oral...
