Cheryl Beauchamp, Ph.D.

Bio

Before working in academia, Dr. Cheryl Beauchamp worked professionally in many areas of computer science, enabling her to bring varied experiences to her students. She has written programs for the banking industry, designed software systems for the military, and managed online solution projects for major newspaper corporations.

Beauchamp’s transition to educator stems from her children’s love of LEGO bricks. She is also involved in NSF-funded research in Engineering Education programs to further student interests in engineering and STEM. Switching careers was her answer to God’s calling on her life; that decision reflects the happiness and fulfillment she experienced when saying yes to God’s plans.

Beauchamp’s faith and relationship with God are her centers, and she and her family are active members of their Catholic Church community. Her current hobbies include community outreach efforts to promote student engagement in STEM, Computer Science and Cybersecurity. She also enjoys knitting, cooking, robotics, and reading.

Credentials

Ph.D.:

• Engineering Education, Virginia Tech University

Master’s:

• Education, Regent University
• Computer Science, George Mason University

Bachelor’s, Notre Dame University of Maryland:

• Physics
• Computer Science
• Mathematics (minor)

Publications

• Contributing author, Establishing an Engineering Core – What does every engineer need to know, Particularly about systems engineering. 2018.
• Contributing author, We Switched Careers! 2015.

Affiliations

• Computer Science Teacher Association, Member
• American Society of Engineering Education, Member
• Association for Computing Machinery, Member

RESEARCH INTERESTS

• STEM, Engineering, Computer Science and Cybersecurity Teaching Pedagogy
• Group Work Skill Development in Technology
• Female Persistence in STEM, Engineering, Computer Science, and Cybersecurity Education

TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

"It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge." - Albert Einstein
My life has been a daily testament that God is truly good! I am grateful to be his instrument to promote STEM studies. Our department mission is to graduate students as responsible users, designer, and promoters of modern technology in a manner that is Christ-centered. My ultimate goal is to inspire students to continue to seek and love knowledge and understanding; to wake every day and say, "I can't wait to learn something new today!" I strive to motivate them to search for answers and solutions not only through technical but also spiritual lens and to challenge aspects that are not aligned with the Word of God.

"Millions saw the apple fall, but Newton was the one who asked why." - Baruch, Bernard M.