Meet The New Head of the CS Department

As we enter a new semester in the Computer Science Department, Dr. Stephen Cooper, the department's new head, brings a unique and exciting perspective!

Dr. Cooper’s interest in research began when he was in high school in Maryland, when he was given an unexpected opportunity to participate in a program at the Naval Research Laboratory. Despite not really knowing what research was, he decided to take the opportunity anyway.

While there, Cooper and a group of young students heard from a variety of speakers who explained why they should one day consider joining the Navy. However, one speaker would stand out from the rest and change the course of Cooper’s academic career forever.

That speaker was Grace Hopper.

“She talked about opportunity, how our country needs us, and how we need our country,” Cooper recalled. “By the time she finished that hour with us, I’ll bet that of the 15 of us, at least 14 not only went to college, but got PhDs and became professors.

For Cooper, the encounter with Hopper cemented an interest in research that would follow him throughout his career. Not only did he go on to get his PhD and become a professor, but he would teach at some of the most prestigious research schools in the country, such as Stanford and Nebraska. 

At the time, computer science was still a relatively young discipline. Cooper did not enter the field because he had always been fascinated by computers. He instead saw computers as a tool for solving problems.

That problem-solving mindset has also shaped Cooper’s research career. He is best known for his work with Alice, a programming environment designed to introduce students to computer science through 3D animation and interactive projects. For Cooper, this approach reflected an important part of learning computer science: struggle.

“It's very important to engage in what's called productive struggle,” Cooper said.

He compares learning to program with learning a musical instrument. Just as a piano player has to repeatedly practice difficult passages before they become natural, programming requires students to work through problems rather than immediately looking for an answer.

For students struggling through their first programming courses, Cooper's advice is simple: keep practicing, ask for help when necessary, and trust the process.

“There is no shortcut,” he said. “You have to practice.”

That emphasis on supporting students and helping them grow is also part of what excites Cooper most about his new role at Rowan. When asked what excited him most about the Rowan CS Department, Dr.Cooper said simply, “The Students.” He then continued, “It’s always the students who are the most special part of the university.”

With Dr. Cooper’s extensive academic experience and impressive research background, Rowan is thrilled to welcome him as the new head of the Computer Science Department. As Rowan continues to grow and evolve, Cooper brings with him a passion for research, a commitment to students, and a belief that curiosity and a willingness to learn are essential to succeeding in computer science. With the field changing faster than ever, Cooper hopes to help students not only prepare for the future of computer science, but also become part of shaping it. As Turing Award winner Alan Kay says, "The best way to predict the future is to invent it!"

Written by Joel R.R Huesser | Posted 10.29.26