Rate My Professor Caroline Budwell

Caroline Budwell, Ph.D., is an associate professor in the Department of Computer Science at Virginia Commonwealth University’s College of Engineering, where she serves as Undergraduate Program Director and College Undergraduate Curriculum Coordinator. She earned a B.A. in Mathematics from the University of Virginia in 1993 and an M.S. in Computer Science from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2001. Throughout her career at VCU, Budwell has progressed from professional instructor in 2019 to assistant professor and was promoted to associate professor in 2021. Her administrative roles include significant contributions to curriculum development, such as the introduction of the Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science in 2024, the Ph.D. program in computer science in 2021, and new academic minors in disciplines including artificial intelligence in 2024. She has also been the contact person for the Department of Computer Science’s Broadening Participation in Computing plan since at least 2023.

Budwell’s academic interests focus on computer science education and requirements engineering. She has authored pedagogical resources, including the POGIL activity “Permutations and Combinations: Discrete Mathematics” in 2022 and co-authored “Stars: Enhancing Student Leadership” in 2025 as part of the Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute publications. In recognition of her service, she received the Dean’s Service and Outreach Excellence Award from the VCU College of Engineering in 2025. Budwell participates in university governance, serving on the 2023 Term Faculty Promotion and Tenure Task Force and the Undergraduate University Curriculum Committee in 2025. She engages in outreach, including contributions to Ada Lovelace Day initiatives promoting women in computing, and supports K-12 tech education efforts. Her work enhances student leadership, engagement strategies, and inclusive practices in computer science education at VCU.