CCSC Central Plains 2026

Conference of the Consortium for Computing Sciences in Colleges, Central Plains Region

Welcome

On behalf of the conference committee, it is our great pleasure to welcome everyone to our 32nd annual CCSC Central Plains regional conference in Springfield, Missouri hosted by the Drury University. Each year, the conference brings together educators, researchers, and students who share a commitment to advancing computer science education, fostering scholarly exchange, and building a strong and supportive academic community across our region. We are delighted to continue this tradition in 2026 and are grateful for everyone's participation.

The conference serves as an important forum for the presentation and discussion of enduring challenges as well as innovative ideas in computer science education. This year's program reflects the breadth and vitality of our field, featuring peer-reviewed research papers, tutorials, workshops, panels, lightning talks, and nifty assignments on classroom techniques. The conference also highlights student research through student papers and poster sessions, providing valuable opportunities for mentoring, collaboration, and professional growth.

We are especially excited to introduce a keynote panel to this year's program (in lieu of keynote speaker). The panel discussion will be on "Where We Going: The Future of Computing Education in the Face of AI", moderated by Dr. Chris Branton, Associate Professor of Computer Science at Drury University. This conversation brings together educators and industry experts from across the region to reflect on how rapidly evolving AI technologies are reshaping what/how we teach and the skills our students will need in the years ahead. We hope this panel sparks fresh ideas and collaborative approaches in computing education, and attendees will have the opportunity to direct questions to the panelists.

This conference would not be possible without the collective efforts of many people. We extend our gratitude to the authors who submitted their work and shared their ideas, the reviewers who ensured a high-quality program with a 68% paper acceptance rate, the committee members who are dedicated to planning and organizing the conference, and to the session moderators. The CCSC Board of Directors also deserves acknowledgment for their continued support of the conference. Without their financial support, the conference would not have been possible. Finally, we extend our gratitude to the administration and staff of Drury University and to the CCSC National Partners for their support.

We extend a very warm and delightful welcome to all presenters, attendees, and guests to the 2026 CCSC Central Plains Conference at Drury University. We encourage everyone to engage fully in the sessions, take advantage of opportunities to connect with colleagues and students, and enjoy the professional and personal interactions that make CCSC conferences so rewarding. Thank you again to all members of the Conference Committee who provide the necessary time and dedication to the conference with grace and commitment.

Call for Participation

The CCSC Central Plains 2026 Conference will take place April 10, 2026 to April 11, 2026 at Drury University in Springfield, Missouri. Submissions for the following sessions are still open until the March 27, 2026 deadline:

• Lightning Talks: Short, engaging presentations on focused topics
• Poster Presentations: For both undergraduate and graduate students, as well as faculty
• Student Papers: For both undergraduate and graduate students
• Programming Contest: For teams of three students

National Partners:

Local Partners: