Cheryl A. Swanier, PhD, EdD
Biography
Dr. Cheryl A. Swanier is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at Claflin University where she is named the Henry N. and Alice Carson Tisdale Endowed Professor. Dr. Swanier conducts research in Human Computer Interaction with an emphasis in visual programming of educational simulations with end user programming and educational gaming technologies. Swanier was selected as a Visiting Research Scientist at Google in Mountain View, California and she received the 2016-17 Google igniteCS Award. Swanier is a recipient of the 2013 NCWIT Undergraduate Research Mentoring Award. Swanier is also the recipient of the 2013 Champion of Change for Tech Inclusion Award given by the White House. She was recognized by Ebony Magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential African Americans in the December-January 2013-14 issue.
Dr. Swanier works with outreach initiatives to improve computer science education at all levels. One of these initiatives is the ARTSI Alliance, Advancing Robotics, Technology for Societal Impact. Another initiative is the STARS (Students & Technology in Academia, Research & Service) Alliance a regional partnerships among academia, industry, K-12 and the community to strengthen local BPC programs by focusing on K-12 outreach, community service, student leadership and computing diversity research.
Dr. Swanier is a member of the NCWIT Academic Alliance and has served as a NCWIT Pacesetter. Swanier provides mentoring to undergraduate students. She facilitates presentations to provide undergraduates with opportunities to gain information on research experiences, internships and on exploring the graduate experience. NCWIT awarded Swanier a $10,000 Seed Fund Award for the Kewl Girlz Kode summer learning program during 2016-17.
Dr. Swanier works with many programs focused on increasing the computing pipeline by getting students interested in STEM disciplines and future technology careers. She also conducts outreach activities to organizations such as Girls, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Delta Academy and Delta GEMS, and Links, Inc. in a concerted effort to broaden participation in computing for underrepresented minorities and girls. These workshops include teaching girls from K-12 how to learn visual programming languages, develop websites, and program robots. Dr. Swanier is open to collaboration in areas of HCI, Virtual Environments and Visual Programming.
Education
Ph.D., Computer Science - Summa Cum Laude
Auburn University Auburn, Alabama
Dissertation title: Virtual Environments For Education: An Empirical
Study of Implementing Education into 3D Video Games and Applications
Ed.D., Higher Education Administration - Summa Cum Laude
Auburn University Auburn, Alabama
Dissertation title: College Deans’ Beliefs About Teaching and Learning
MDiv. Theology – Cum Laude
Emory University Atlanta, Georgia
M.Ed., Mathematics Education – Summa Cum Laude
Columbus State University Columbus, Georgia
M.S., Computer Science – Cum Laude
State University of New York Binghamton, New York
Thesis Title: Towards A Multimedia College Recruiting Program
B.S., Computer Science – Magna Cum Laude
Albany State University Albany, Georgia
Research Interests
Dr. Swanier’s research focuses on identifying and developing strategies for reuse, which will facilitate novice programmers to create simulations. This work is realized with end user programming/visual programming techniques, and reduces the cognitive baggage of having to first learn to program to attain this goal.
Swanier’s research is in the area of End User Programming, a subset of Human Computer Interaction that is a combination of Human Centric Computing, Visual Programming Environments, and Empirical Studies of Programmers. Empirical Studies of programmers normally studies the programming habits of expert programmers, but my approach is looking at novice programmers. The novice programmers group that Dr. Swanier studies is high school math teachers. I am looking to create a framework to support their programming of educational simulations with direct manipulation and other visual programming techniques.
Experience
Endowed Professor & Chair; Associate Professor of Computer Science
Claflin University
Visiting Research Scientist
GOOGLE, Inc.
Associate Professor (Tenured)
Fort Valley State University
Math Teacher-Spencer High School
Muscogee County School District
Math Dept. Chair – Eddy Middle School
Muscogee County School District
Math Teacher-Callaway High School
Troup County School District
Adjunct Professor
Columbus State University
Professor Computer Science
Tuskegee University
Lead Quality Analyst
TOTAL SYSTEM SERVICES, INC.
Senior Programmer Analyst
IBM
Activities and Honors
- Google Visiting Research Scientist
2017
- Google igniteCS Award
2016-17
- NCWIT Seed Fund Award
2016-17
- Henry N. and Alice Carson Tisdale Endowed Professor
2016-17
- Society of STEM Women of Color Founding Member Award
2015
- NSF OURS Academic Leadership Award
2015
- Emory University Dean’s Award
2015
- Emory University Dean’s Award
2014
- Girls Inc. STEM Advocacy Award
2014
- Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Social Action Trailblazer Award
2014
- Ebony’s Magazine Power 100
2013
- White House Champion of Change for Tech Inclusion
2013
- NCWIT Undergraduate Research Mentoring Award
2013
- AT&T $5000 Undergraduate Research Mentoring Award
2013
- STARS Outstanding Faculty Liaison Award
2013
- STARS Commitment and Dedication to the Mission Award
2013
- Enhancing Critical Thinking Award
2013
- FVSU Research Day Commendation Award
2013
- Girls Inc. Special Recognition Award
2012
- FVSU Research Day Award
2012
- Enhancing Critical Thinking Award
2012
- FVSU Office of Sponsored Programs Grantsmanship
2012
- FVSU Office of Sponsored Programs Grantsmanship
2011
- FVSU Office of Sponsored Programs Grantsmanship
2010
Recent Publications
(Submitted for Publication (Respect Conference Fall 2017)
Swanier, C., Seals, C.D. What will Computing Look Like in the 21st Century? RESPECT Conference 2018.
Swanier, C. Seals, C. Nyagwencha, J. (2012).Video Games: Who really plays them and how can they be used in education? World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications (EDMEDIA) 2012:1 ,Jun 26, 2012.
Nyagwencha, J., Cook, T., Machage, B., Swanier, C. and Seals, C. (2012). Supporting Informal Learning Using a Cloud Tool: An Empirical Usability Study. World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications (EDMEDIA) 2012:1 ,Jun 26,
2012.Swanier, C. (2011). “Edutainment: Video Games Can Impact Education.” FVSU Research Report, 17.
Seals, D., Swanier, C., and Nyagwencha, J. (2011). Creating New Mathematical Applications Utilizing Smart Table. March-May 2011. Journal on School Educational Technology, Vol. 6, No.4, pp. 1-6.
Swanier, C., Seals, C.D., Billionaire, E. (2009). Visual Programming: A Programming Tool for Increasing Mathematics Achievement. July - Sept’09, Journal of Educational Technology, Vol.6 No. 2. pp. 1-5.
Gilbert, J.E., Eugene, Swanier, C., W., Arbuthnot, K., Hood, S., Grant, M.M., & West, M.L. (2009). Culturally Relevant Game Design: A Case Study for Designing Interactive Algebra Lessons for Urban Youth. Journal of Educational Technology.
Gilbert, J. E., & Swanier, C. A. (2008). Learning styles: How do they fluctuate? Institute for Learning Styles Journal, 1, 29-40.
(Conference Presenter)
Swanier, C. (2017). Richard E. Tapia Conference. Managing Career Transitions. Atlanta, GA. September 20-23, 2017.
(Conference Presenter)
Swanier, C. (2016). Grace Hopper Celebration. Career Transitions. Houston, TX. October 2016.
(Invited Talk)
Swanier, C. (2016). The Role of HBCUs in Cyber Security. SC Cyber Security Syposium. Orangeburg, SC. October 2016.
(Invited Talk)
Swanier, C. (2014). STEM Workshop. Emerging Leaders and STEM Teen Summit. Kendrick High School, Columbus, GA. March 22, 2014.
(Invited Talk)
Swanier, C. (2014). College Prep and STEM Workshop. Girls, Inc., Baker Center. Columbus, GA. February 20, 2014.
(Invited Talk)
Swanier, C. (2013). Women in Leadership Roles. Georgia College, Milledgeville, GA. January 7, 2014.