ECEP leadership is pleased to announce Dr. Jaqueline McCune as Deputy Director of the Alliance and Dr. Delores Rice as our new Research Associate. Dr. Rice and Dr. McCune will support our mission of broadening participation in computing (BPC) education pathways for the 29 ECEP states and the territory of Puerto Rico and help ECEP to serve as a national hub for BPC efforts across the country.  

The deputy director and research associate positions enhance the services our ECEP backbone organization provides to states as they encourage systemic change to address BPC. As a research associate, Dr. Rice will lead research that brings ECEP’s 11-plus years of expertise to the forefront of our work. She is currently designing a framework that will capture the trajectory of each state’s efforts, illuminating effective strategies and levers of change for advancing BPC. 

Dr. Rice’s prior work in STEM education includes serving as a Co-Principal Investigator on a National Science Foundation S-STEM project focused on undergraduate students' motivation in STEM. Dr. Rice brings a combination of expertise in research, STEM outreach and teaching, and program coordination to her role. “Boosting involvement in computer science is crucial for fostering creativity, innovation, STEM development, and overall workforce expansion. I am excited to leverage my research and professional experience in STEM to support a team dedicated to expanding involvement and creating systemic change,” Rice said. 

“Delores is taking the complexities of the ECEP model and ensuring that our project is able to share a comprehensive story of the Alliance’s impact and develop a systemic approach that highlights the individual successes of each state’s team,” said Sarah Dunton, ECEP Alliance Director. 

Dr. McCune will oversee projects like our highly successful ECEP Connect event and serve as a state coach and guide. Dr. McCune’s prior experience includes more than 15 years as an educator, professional learning facilitator, adjunct professor, and Nevada state computer science supervisor. Her combined K-16 CS education experience — from classroom to policy — provides a unique vantage point to develop and support structures for increasing computing opportunities for all students. Dr. McCune’s diverse professional background and personal experiences have cultivated a deep understanding of the transformative power of computing education and its critical role in equipping students with future-ready skills. 

“Jaci brings several years of experience leading K-12 computing education efforts in her home state of Nevada to this new role. We are excited to leverage her expertise to support ECEP state leaders as they work to democratize CS education in their states and communities,” says Carol Fletcher, PI for the ECEP Alliance. 

Dr. McCune shared her excitement in joining the ECEP leadership team. “I’m thrilled to extend my own knowledge and foster collaborative relationships with other states who share a common goal of broadening computing opportunities for students,” McCune said. “The ECEP Alliance has been highly valuable to Nevada’s CS ecosystem, and I hope to leverage my expertise and experiences to support growth in other states. Every student deserves the opportunity to participate in fulfilling computing education experiences.”