Susan B. Horwitz, American computer scientist and academic (d. 2014)

Susan Beth Horwitz (January 6, 1955 – June 11, 2014) was a preeminent American computer scientist whose profound contributions spanned the fields of programming languages and software engineering. Her pioneering research, particularly in the areas of program slicing and dataflow analysis, significantly advanced the foundational understanding and practical application of software development and analysis techniques. Recognised for the exceptional quality and impact of her scholarly work, she was honored with several prestigious 'best paper' awards and an 'impact paper' award, signifying her research's lasting influence on the discipline.

Beyond her remarkable research, Professor Horwitz was an esteemed and award-winning educator at her institution, dedicated to fostering the next generation of computer scientists. She championed innovative pedagogical approaches, most notably by founding the Peer Led Team Learning for Computer Science (PLTLCS) initiative. This program aimed to enhance student success and engagement in complex computer science concepts through collaborative, peer-facilitated learning environments. As part of this commitment, she established the Wisconsin Emerging Scholars-Computer Science (WES-CS) program, specifically designed to support and empower students in their early computer science studies.

Dr. Horwitz’s leadership extended nationally through her pivotal role in an NSF ITWF Grant (Grant No. 0420343). This significant collaborative project brought together eight leading academic institutions – including the University of Wisconsin–Madison (where Horwitz was based), Duke University, Georgia Tech, Rutgers University, the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee, Purdue University, Beloit College, and Loyola College – to implement and evaluate PLTLCS models. A landmark publication emerged from this collaboration in 2009, unequivocally demonstrating that a combination of active recruiting strategies and peer-led team learning is a highly effective methodology for attracting and, crucially, retaining underrepresented students in challenging introductory Computer Science courses. This work underscored her dedication to broadening participation and enhancing diversity within the computing field.

Her influence also reached into high school computer science education, where she played a crucial leadership role. For a decade, from 1987 to 1997, Susan Horwitz was an influential member of the Educational Testing Service (ETS) Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science Test Development Committee. Her leadership was further exemplified by her five-year tenure as chair of this committee, from 1992 to 1997. This period was particularly momentous as it saw the strategic transition of the AP Computer Science exam’s primary programming language from Pascal, a language widely used for teaching structured programming and pedagogical clarity, to C++, which was rapidly gaining prominence as an industry-standard language for object-oriented programming and system development. Her guidance during this critical shift helped shape the foundational computer science curriculum for countless high school students across the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions about Susan Beth Horwitz

Who was Susan Beth Horwitz?

Susan Beth Horwitz (1955-2014) was a distinguished American computer scientist renowned for her groundbreaking research in programming languages and software engineering, particularly in program slicing and dataflow analysis. She was also an award-winning educator and a key leader in computer science education initiatives, including the development of the AP Computer Science curriculum.

What is program slicing in computer science?

Program slicing is a technique used in computer science to identify and extract relevant parts of a program related to a specific computation. It helps in debugging, understanding code, and maintaining software by isolating portions of the code that influence a particular variable, output, or behavior. Horwitz's research significantly contributed to the theoretical foundations and practical applications of this field.

What was her contribution to computer science education?

Susan Horwitz founded Peer Led Team Learning for Computer Science (PLTLCS) and the Wisconsin Emerging Scholars-Computer Science (WES-CS) program, both aimed at enhancing student learning and retention. She also led a major NSF-funded collaboration (Grant No. 0420343) that demonstrated the effectiveness of peer-led learning for attracting and retaining underrepresented students in computer science. Furthermore, she chaired the AP Computer Science Test Development Committee during the crucial transition from Pascal to C++, influencing high school computer science education nationally.

What is Peer Led Team Learning (PLTL)?

Peer Led Team Learning (PLTL) is an evidence-based pedagogical approach where undergraduate students, who have successfully completed a course, facilitate weekly problem-solving sessions for students currently enrolled in the same course. It promotes active learning, deeper understanding, and a supportive learning community, and Susan Horwitz was instrumental in adapting this effective model for computer science education.