ACADEMIA EXPERIENCE
January 2005 - Present
Assistant Professor, Computer Science Department,Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL
The University of Alabama, Department of Computer Science, Tuscaloosa, AL
January 2004 - December 2004
Graduate Teaching Assistant: laboratory monitor for CS 102 - Microcomputer Applications I
January 2002 - December 2003
Graduate Teaching Assistant: taught CS 114 - Introduction to Computer Science C++)
January 20 01 - December 2001
Graduate Teaching Assistant: assisted Major Professor in grading papers and recording grades for Computer Ethics and Java Programming courses; proctored departmental exams
Fall 1996
Graduate Teaching Assistant: taught introduction to Ada programming language in an interactive laboratory classroom setting to majors and non-majors
Tuskegee University, Department of Computer Science, Tuskegee, AL
August 1998 - December 2000
Instructor: taught; developed teaching materials, course outlines, and student syllabi for the following courses: Introduction to Computer Science (C+ +) - first course for majors; Software Engineering- Senior Level course; Introduction to Computer Concepts and Applications - computer literacy for non-majors
Summer 1999
Coordination for Feeder Program In Computer Science (FPICS)
Coordinated application and selection process
Selected 60 highly qualified 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students from an applicant pool of 1600 to participate in this NSF funded program
Organized academic schedules, social activities, opening sessions and closing banquets
Instructor: taught computer literacy, HTML, and Introduction to C++ to each grade level
INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE
1997 - 1998
International Business Machines, New Orleans, LA
Midrange Server Specialist: provided information technology solutions, technical expertise, and training to IBM customer accounts who invested in IBM RS/6000 and IBM PC servers
Summer 1995
Lucent Technologies, Naperville, IL
Front End Planner for Long Distance Communication Services: determined specifications, cost analysis, and feasibility of telecommunications software to be developed
Summer 1994
Lucent Technologies, Naperville, IL
Software Developer & Tester for Switching Services: developed and tested software ; worked with specification teams and front end planners to deliver verified and validated software
School Year
Prairie View A& M University, Computer Science Department, Prairie View, TX
1993 -1994
NASA Student Researcher: developed user-friendly menu driven interfaces according to specification documents provided by NASA engineers
Summer 1993
Federal Aviation Administration, Atlanta, GA
Computer Specialist Consultant: worked with internal customers to customize desktop PCS and trained them on how to effectively use the software
EDUCATION
Ph.D., Interdisciplinary Computer Science and Human Computer Interaction, 2004
The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL
Dissertation Title - The Influence of Vicarious Learning on Computer Self-efficacy and Computing Performance
Master of Science, Computer Science, 1996
The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL
Major Concentration - Software Engineering
Thesis Title - A Descriptive Stud y of the Software Development Practices of Novice Programmers
B.S. Cum Laude, Computer Science, 1994
Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX
TECHNICAL TRAINING AND SPECIALIZED SKILLS
Strong knowledge of Ada, C, C++, FORTRAN, Lisp, and Pascal programming languages
Skilled in AIX, DOS, Microsoft NT, Microsoft Windows, OS/2 Warp, and Sun OS Operating Systems
Working knowledge of Oracle 8 Database and Microsoft Visual Studio
Used HTML, Javascript, Microsoft FrontPage, and Macromedia Dreamweaver to prepare Web pages and Web documents
Developed materials for various on-line courses including those used by the Alabama Online High School; working knowledge of Blackboard
CONFERENCES
Poster presenter - International Multi-Conference in Computer Science and Engineering, Las Vegas, NV, June 2004
Poster presenter - Grace Hopper Celebration for Women in Computing, Chicago, IL, October 2004
Ph.D. Forum presenter - Grace Hopper Celebration for Women in Computing, Chicago, IL, October 2004
Paper presenter - Southern Association for Institutional Research, Biloxi, MS, October 2004
Diversity and Learning Conference sponsored by The Association of American Colleges and Universities, Fall 2000
National Academic Advising Conference Regional Meeting, Spring 1999
ACTIVITIES AND AWARDS
The University of Alabama Computer Science Department Graduate Assistantship Recipient, 2001 -2004
The University of Alabama Graduate School Future Faculty Fellowship Recipient, 2001 - 2003
National Black Graduate Student Association Recording Secretary, 2002 - 2003
African American Graduate Student Association (The University of Alabama) Webmaster, 2001-2003
Faculty search committee student representative (The University of Alabama Computer Science Department), Spring 2003
Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated
PUBLICATIONS AND PAPERS
Lester, C. and M. Brown. 2004. Using CA PS to influence computing performance and perceptions. Paper accepted at the Southern Association for Institutional Research Annual Conference, Biloxi, MS, October 16 - 19, 2004.
Lester, C. and M. Brown. 2004. Proposing CAP S as a Link in the Bridge across the Divide. Paper accepted at the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing conference, Chicago, IL, October 6 - 9, 2004.
Lester, C. and M. Brown. 2004. Women and Technology: The Next Step in Bridging the Divide. Proceeding of the 2004 International Multi-Conference in Computer Science and Engineering, Las Vegas, NV, June 21 - 24, 2004.
Terry, C., P. Maller, M. Brown, and C. Lester. 2002. Laying a Theoretical Foundation for Exploring IT Usage Behavior. Proceedings of the 40th Annual Southeast ACM Conference, Raleigh, NC.
Parrish, A., C. Lester, D. Cordes and D. Moore. 199 7. Assessing Computer Usage Patterns in a Software Development Course. SIGCSE Bulletin.
Lester, C., A. Parrish, D. Cordes, and D. Moore. 1996. Empirical Evaluation of Nov ice Object-Oriented Programmers. Proceedings of the 34th Annual South east Conference o f the ACM , Tuskegee, AL.
Parrish, A., D. Cordes, C. Le ster, and D . Moor e. 1996. Active Learning and Process Assessment: T
