Welcome to the inaugural edition of the College of Computing Newsletter! We are excited to bring you the latest news, stories, and opportunities from our vibrant community. In this issue, you'll find spotlights on our outstanding faculty, staff, and students who are making significant strides in their fields. We also highlight ways to engage with computing, including K-12 community events that inspire the next generation of tech leaders.

As we reflect on the exciting developments from this past summer, we also share a glimpse into the future with an overview of our new initiatives designed to enhance learning, research, and industry collaboration. Thank you for joining us on this journey—together, we are shaping the future of computing.

Marouane Kessentini’s journey from Tunisia to becoming the Dean of the College of Computing at GVSU is a testament to his perseverance and passion for technology. Growing up in a hard-working, low-income family, Kessentini discovered his love for coding as a teenager, teaching himself through online resources. His dedication led him to graduate as one of the top computer science students in Tunisia, earning a scholarship for doctoral studies abroad. Now, as Dean, he remains committed to bridging the gap between industry and academia, while maintaining his deep connection to family and community values.

Read more about Marouane Kessentini’s inspiring journey and vision for the College of Computing.

To connect with Dean Marouane Kessentini and learn more about his vision for the College of Computing, click here.

Major: Computer Science
Minors: Mathematics, Biology, & Cybersecurity
Hometown: Rochester Hills, MI
Year: Junior

"It was such an incredible opportunity to travel to Switzerland this summer. I chose to go on the trip because of my fascination in machine learning and artificial intelligence. I was able to connect and learn with the students from ZHAW in Switzerland, which has allowed me to expand my horizons as I begin my Kindschi fellowship and work with Dr. Alex Lalejini on his NSF grant this fall."

Click here to read the full story and learn more about Grant's journey and achievements!

Dr. Alex Lalejini, Assistant Professor at GVSU’s College of Computing, is dedicated to mentoring students and fostering their growth. Inspired by his undergraduate experience at Mississippi State, Lalejini’s passion for the intersection of computing and evolutionary biology led him to win a U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) grant in June. Alongside colleagues, he will study symbiotic relationships between species using computer models, with applications in microbial evolution and evolutionary algorithms. The grant also enables Lalejini to hire student researchers, offering them opportunities to engage in research, attend conferences, and publish their work.

Learn more about Dr. Lalejini's NSF grant.

The College of Computing at GVSU held its first official events on August 1st and 8th, bringing together over 140 key partners from the Greater Grand Rapids area. Led by Dean Marouane Kessentini, the sessions focused on software engineering, AI, and human-centered design, highlighting the importance of collaboration between industry and academia. Attendees emphasized the need for long-term partnerships, internships, and sponsored projects, reinforcing the College's commitment to fostering strong industry connections.

Read more about the event here.

Zachary DeBruine, assistant professor of computing at GVSU, received a grant from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative to advance his research in using AI to create "cell atlases" from genetic data. This work aims to better understand rare diseases by generating virtual models of cells, even from limited data sources. The grant will support DeBruine's team of students in developing and training AI models with nearly 1 billion parameters, potentially revolutionizing insights into human disease.

Read more about DeBruine's groundbreaking research in GV Next. 

The College of Computing at GVSU and Global Detroit co-hosted an event in July to highlight the benefits of hiring international talent. Over 50 businesses attended the "Unlocking Potential: Accessing International Talent" event, where speakers emphasized the dedication and loyalty of international employees. Attendees received practical advice on international hiring practices, with a focus on how businesses can tap into this valuable resource to grow their talent pools and enhance their community presence.

Read more about this event in the GV Forum.

The College of Computing at GVSU hosted its first cybersecurity camp for middle and high school teachers, extending training from April through December. Directed by Sara Sutton, the GenCyber program, funded by the NSA and NSF, provided hands-on, intensive learning focused on cybersecurity concepts. The 25 participating teachers received professional development and a $1,000 stipend, enhancing their ability to teach cybersecurity. The program emphasized developing lesson plans and protecting technology, fostering collaboration among educators for future classroom success.

Read more about this event in the GV Forum.

A global technology outage disrupted services worldwide on July 19th, affecting sectors like health care and transportation, including Corewell Health, where some procedures were delayed. Despite the widespread issues, most West Michigan infrastructure remained intact. College of Computing's Dr. Vijay Bhuse noted that the outage was due to a system update problem, not a cyberattack, and highlighted the importance of a diversified technological approach to mitigate such risks. Businesses like SpartanNash quickly restored services thanks to robust backup systems, underscoring the need for preparedness in today’s complex technological landscape.

Read more this full story on WOOD TV.

Stay informed!

Keep current with the latest College of Computing news and events! 

Follow us on Social Media

Share your images and stories by tagging your social media posts @gvsucomputing.

Sign up for College of Computing Newsletter

Our newsletters provide information about exciting program changes, students, faculty and staff projects, community engagement, and events.