David S. Janzen

Papers

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About

David S. Janzen is a computer science educator and researcher whose work centers on broadening participation in computing and improving introductory programming education. His most impactful contributions address two critical challenges in the field: attracting and retaining students with no prior computing experience, and fostering gender diversity in software engineering programs. His highly cited 2018 paper on "Mixed Approaches to CS0" (23 citations) describes Cal Poly's innovative requirement that all computing majors begin with a CS0 course designed to engage novices through authentic, real-world problems—a strategy that has demonstrably improved retention. Equally influential is his 2018 experience report on "Diversity and Inclusivity Efforts in a Software Engineering Program" (12 citations), which documents a collection of teaching practices, curricular initiatives, and departmental circumstances that coincided with measurable improvements in gender diversity at California Polytechnic State University. As a professor at Cal Poly, Janzen has become a leading voice in evidence-based approaches to making computing more accessible and equitable, directly shaping how institutions design their introductory curricula and support underrepresented groups in engineering.