About

Michael Nowak is a Teaching Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He earned his B.S. in Neuroscience and Computer Science from Trinity University and his Ph.D. in Computer Science from Texas A&M University. During his doctoral studies at Texas A&M, he served as instructor of record for introductory programming courses across eight academic semesters, a period in which his teaching philosophy began to take shape through traditional lecture models. Since joining UIUC in 2020, Professor Nowak has focused on strengthening introductory programming education through evidence-based, scalable practices that go beyond traditional instruction.

As the original architect and primary instructor of Introduction to Computer Science II (CS 128), he designed the course from the ground up to bridge a critical gap in the curriculum - ensuring all students, not just CS majors, maintain programming momentum between their first course and data structures. His approach combines innovative teaching methods with cutting-edge infrastructure, including a custom-built learning management system that delivers daily interactive lessons, auto-graded programming exercises providing instant feedback, and weekly low-stakes assessments that encourage practice over perfection.