Summary
Amy Melniczuk, the first computer science faculty member at CMU's Qatar campus to receive the Wimmer Faculty Fellowship, will redesign the "Designing Human-Centered Software" course. The new, hands-on format will incorporate practical prototyping with tools like Figma and Balsamiq, aiming to enhance student engagement and bridge the gap between theory and practice in human-centered design. The redesigned course is set to launch in Spring 2026.
Amy Melniczuk, assistant teaching professor of computer science at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, has received a Wimmer Faculty Fellowship to redesign a foundational course in Human-Computer Interaction. Melniczuk is the first computer science faculty member at the Qatar campus to earn the fellowship.
Melniczuk’s project will transform the “Designing Human-Centered Software” course from a traditional lecture-based format to a hands-on, experiential environment. The redesign integrates practical prototyping exercises using tools like Figma and Balsamiq, helping students deepen their understanding of usability and real-world design evaluation.
“My primary goal is to increase student engagement and help them build practical skills,” Melniczuk said. “By incorporating hands-on activities and iterative design challenges, we can help students bridge the gap between theory and practice, preparing them for real-world design challenges.”
The Wimmer Faculty Fellowship, supported by CMU’s Eberly Center for Teaching Excellence, is awarded to junior faculty members to enhance their teaching through innovative course design. The fellowship reflects Carnegie Mellon’s deep commitment to fostering pedagogical innovation across its global campuses.
The redesigned course will run in the Spring 2026 semester. It is a core requirement for Information Systems students and a popular elective for students across all programs.
