Welcome to College of Computing Newsletter! We are thrilled to bring you the latest updates from our vibrant community. In this issue, we shine a spotlight on new faculty members who are bringing fresh perspectives and expertise to our college. You’ll also meet an outstanding student making remarkable strides in their field, embodying the spirit of innovation that defines our community.

This month, we highlight exciting events from Tech Week Grand Rapids, which showcased the dynamic intersection of technology and innovation in our region. We’re also excited to share the launch of our new Center for Innovation and Digital Transformation.

Additionally, we celebrate a significant milestone as the first College of Computing alumnus recently graduated with a PhD from Cornell University, paving the way for future trailblazers. And in international news, we are proud to announce a 1+1 collaboration agreement with Institut Teknologi Bandung, which opens exciting opportunities for our graduate students.

Thank you for being a part of our ever-growing community as we continue to push the boundaries of computing together. Stay tuned for more opportunities, events, and stories that inspire the next generation of tech leaders.

The College of Computing at GVSU welcomes six new faculty members for the academic year, each bringing a diverse range of expertise and research interests. Each faculty member is excited to engage with students and contribute to the vibrant GVSU community.

Learn more about their background. 

Major: Health Informatics & Bioinformatics
Hometown: Eldoret, Kenya
Year: Masters

Naomi Sang, a second-year master’s student at Grand Valley State University, discovered her passion for health prevention during her undergraduate studies in Kenya. After working for a fintech company supporting healthcare initiatives, she recognized the potential of technology and data in health prevention. This led her to GVSU's Health Informatics and Bioinformatics program. Naomi is active in the College of Computing, serving as a Programming Specialist and interning at the Annis Water Resources Institute. She is also involved in multiple fellowships and encourages fellow students to immerse themselves in opportunities to gain experience and build valuable skills.

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

The first College of Computing alumnus graduates with a PhD from Cornell University

Gloire Rubambiza's journey from fleeing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo to earning a PhD from Cornell University is inspiring. His curiosity led him to pursue a PhD at Cornell, where he focused on interdisciplinary research in digital agriculture, developing technology to help farmers make better decisions. As the first GVSU computer science graduate to earn a PhD from Cornell, Rubambiza’s story highlights perseverance, academic excellence, and the power of technology to drive societal impact.

Learn more about Dr. Rubambiza's journey. 

GVSU College of Computing signs a 1+1 collaboration agreement with the Institut Teknologi Bandung

GVSU's College of Computing has partnered with Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) in Indonesia through a 1+1 agreement. ITB students will complete their first year of graduate studies at ITB before coming to GVSU to finish their degree. This agreement, spearheaded by Dr. Hans Dulimarta, a professor and ITB alumnus, marks the College’s first international collaboration of this kind. It reflects the College’s commitment to expanding global partnerships, fostering research, and enhancing educational opportunities. 

Learn more about this new partnership.

Five visionary projects seen at Tech Week GR

During Tech Week Grand Rapids, College of Computing Dean Marouane Kessentini unveiled plans for the new Center for Innovation and Digital Transformation. This center aims to bridge the gap between industry and academia by connecting local businesses with GVSU students and faculty for real-world digital literacy projects. The center will facilitate partnerships that share the cost of research and development, benefiting both students and industries. Kessentini emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration across fields like healthcare, engineering, and the arts to foster innovation and prepare students for the evolving tech landscape.

Read more about the visionary projects at Tech Week GR. 

Tech Week 2024: Showcasing innovation, collaboration, and the future of computing in Grand Rapids

The College of Computing at GVSU participated in Tech Week: Grand Rapids 2024, showcasing innovative tech uses. Highlights included a hands-on coding event for high school students, talks on healthcare and AI, and updates on curriculum changes, including proposed AI and software engineering majors. Dr. Zach DeBruine introduced Herd Social, a platform for rare disease communities. Dean Marouane Kessentini emphasized bridging academia and industry, while a new Center of Innovation and Digital Transformation was discussed. The week concluded with a panel on the importance of international talent in making Grand Rapids a tech hub.

Read more about our community engagement. 

International students find community

Dean Marouane Kessentini, reflecting on his own journey as an international student, hosted the College of Computing’s first International Student Reception. The event welcomed about sixty international undergraduate and graduate students, with key speakers including Dr. Felix Ngassa, who shared his experiences as an international student from Cameroon. Kessentini introduced new initiatives like the PSM ambassador program and announced plans to enhance career development for international students, including bi-monthly employer luncheons. The reception aimed to foster community, with regular events planned to support international students in their academic and professional journeys.

Read more about this international student event. 

Students travel to switzerland for swiss exchange program

In July, Grand Valley computing students traveled to Switzerland for a faculty-led study abroad program focused on machine learning, data engineering, and Swiss culture. They attended classes at Zurich University and worked on project-based learning, tackling tasks like plant classification and apartment price prediction. Swiss students later joined them in Allendale for deep learning and data visualization studies. Activities included exploring the Swiss Alps and attending the Euro 2024 soccer tournament. Faculty lead Ira Woodring emphasized the hands-on experience and cultural exchange, highlighting the academic and personal growth the trip offered students.

Read more about this exchange program. 

Blue Dot to propel GVSU, Grand Rapids as tech hub

A showcase of cutting-edge tech, computing and engineering projects by faculty and students headlined GVSU’s Tech Week GR event, “The Blue Dot Experience,” on September 19th. GVSU leadership, along with Grand Rapids tech and business executives, explored the diverse innovations presented by faculty and students at the Eberhard Center, the future home of Blue Dot. 

Read more about Blue Dot in GV Next and hear Dean Kessentini's vision. 

Top 5 things you missed in the College of Computing at GVSU in September

Over the course of September, the College of Computing was busy with conferences, guest speakers and more! Before continuing this exciting semester, reflect on some of the events and activities that you might have missed within the College of Computing!

Read more about what you may have missed.

Interested in sponsoring a lunch and learn or visiting campus to showcase your business? Email our Director of Internships & Career Development, Rodd Lowell, at lowellr@gvsu.edu.

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