Dr. Sean Mackay, Ph.D.
Instructor
Department of Computer Science and Engineering
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY
ORCID: 0000-0002-0358-7594
Google ScholarResearch Areas
Computing Education Research
Second and Third Year Student Issues
Threshold Concepts
Programming Languages
About Me
I'm pleased to say that I will be joining the faculty of the University of
Oklahoma in the fall of 2025 as an Assistant Professor of Computer Science. My technical background is in computer science, and I have
a bachelors in computer science from the University at Buffalo from 2020. I have also recently completed my Ph.D. in Engineering Education
from the University at Buffalo as well.
My research now focuses on studying the difficulties that students during their second and
third years face when it comes to the content they are expected to learn. As educators, we can have the most impact on students'
success by impacting their learning experiences in our classrooms: by working with this traditionally understudied population to
better understand what hurdles exist during these years, I aim to work towards building a path towards developing interventions
to supporting these students through these difficult years.
My other research interests going forward involve the use of generative AI models
in providing scalable supports for students learning computer science concepts.
Work Experience
Assistant Professor / The University of Oklahoma
August 2025 - Current
Assistant Professor in the School of Computer Science in the Gallogly College of Engineering.
Summer Adjunct Professor / University at Buffalo
June 2021 - Current
Summer adjunct professor for Intro to Computer Science 1 (CSE 115).
CSE 115 Instructor / University at Buffalo
August 2024 - December 2024
Serving as one of the faculty members for CSE 115 for Fall 2024.
Graduate Research Assistant / University at Buffalo
June 2020 - July 2025
Research Assistant for Dr. Adrienne Decker on several projects including my dissertation.
Software Development & IT Consultant
May 2015 - June 2025
Working with clients on managing their technology infrastructure and in-house software requirements.
Graduate Teaching Assistant / University at Buffalo
August 2020 - December 2020
Graduate teaching assistant in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences for EAS 230 (introduction to Matlab.)
Undergraduate Research Assistant / University at Buffalo
May 2018 - June 2020
Research Assistant in the Computer Science department with Dr. Sridhar from June 2018 - December 2018
Research Assistant with Dr. Adrienne Decker from June 2019 - June 2020
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant / University at Buffalo
Feb 2018 - July 2020
Teaching assistant for a wide array of computer science courses.
- CSE 113: Introduction to Programming For Nonmajors
- CSE 115: Introduction to Computer Science 1
- CSE 250: Data Structures
- CSE 331: Algorithms Design and Analysis
- CSE 442: Software Engineering
- CSE 305: Programming Languages
My Education
University at Buffalo
2020 - 2025
PhD, Engineering Education
Title: Identifying and Supporting Hurdles in the Upper-Division Undergraduate Computer Science Curriculum
Dissertation Advisor: Dr. Adrienne Decker
Committee Members: Dr. Corey Schimpf, Dr. Jessica Swenson
4.0 GPA
University at Buffalo
2016 - 2020
Bachelors of Science in Computer Science
3.7 GPA, Magna Cum Laude
My Publications
FIE 2024
Using Chat-GPT to Create Multiple Choice CS ExamsType: Accepted Work-In-Progress Paper
Authors: Karol Lejmbach, Sean Mackay
FIE 2024
Two Sides of the Same Coin: Differing Approaches to Generative AI in Two Computer Science ClassroomsType: Accepted Full Paper
Authors: Sean Mackay, Kurt Eiselt, Adrienne Decker
FIE 2024
Interview Iterations and Improvements for Identifying Intermediate Computer Science Threshold ConceptsType: Accepted Work-In-Progress Paper
Authors: Sean Mackay, Brian McSkimming, Adrienne Decker
ICER 2023
Investigating Troublesome Knowledge in Middle-Year Computer Science Courses to Support RetentionType: Doctoral Consortium Publication
Authors: Sean Mackay, Adrienne Decker
FIE 2023
Identification of Threshold Concepts for Intermediate Computer Science StudentsType: Work In Progress Paper
Authors: Brian McSkimming, Sean Mackay, Adrienne Decker
SIGCSE 2022
What Does Literature Tell Us About Recursion?Type: ACM Student Research Competition Poster
Authors: Sean Mackay
FIE 2022
Investigating the Connection Between Sense of Belonging and Academic DishonestyType: Conference Work in Progress Paper
Authors: Sean Mackay, Jessica Swenson
FIE 2021
Investigating the usage of Likert-style items within Computer Science Education Research InstrumentsType: Conference Paper
Authors: Brian McSkimming, Sean Mackay, Adrienne Decker
FIE 2020
Updating our Understanding of the Impact of Pre-College Computing Experiences on University StudentsType: Conference Paper
Authors: Sean Mackay, Adrienne Decker
Conferences Attended
SIGCSE 2025
Pittsburgh, PA
FIE 2024
Washington, DC
SIGCSE 2024
Portland, Oregon
ICER 2023
Chicago, Illinois
SIGCSE 2023
Toronto, Canada
SIGCSE 2022
Providence, Rhode Island
SIGCSE 2020
Portland, Oregon
ICER 2019
Toronto, Canada