Johnson C. Smith University has announced a $149,466 award from the National Science Foundation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities – Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP) to enhance computer science in the area of data science.

According to the National Science Foundation (NSF), five courses will be developed and one existing course will be enhanced.

Special consideration will be made to support the inclusion of interested students with little or no prior computing experience.

The award began Aug. 1, 2018, and is under the direction of the principal investigator, Johnson C. Smith University assistant professor of computer science Dr. Felesia Stukes. (Photo courtesy of United Negro College Fund).

“With the rapid growth of data sets in healthcare, sports, government, and business, there is unlimited career potential for undergraduates with this expertise,” Stukes said. “This is an exciting time to become involved with data science,” Stukes added. “Our students will have the opportunity to use data science to solve new kinds of social or business problems and impact their communities in a powerful way.”

Johnson C. Smith University generates an economic impact of $89 million in its community and state.