The Pride of the Lions award for October goes to Dr. Rebecca Allen, Chairperson of the Computer Science and Math Department and Assistant Professor of Computer Science.
Recently, Dr. Allen co-edited, along with Dr. Alex Nakonechnyi, Using and Understanding AI in Higher Education: Classroom Research with Real-World Strategies You Can Use Today. Indeed, she has published a number of articles on emerging AI technologies. Dr. Allen has also collaborated with multiple partners to secure grant funding in excess of $6 million over the past five years that has helped drive enrollment in our Computer Science program (cITe), which has expanded from just eight students in 2020 to over 150 undergraduates and, through a collaboration with Michael Bendis and Harrison Collier from the School of Education, 32 graduate-level teachers training in computer science courses this fall.
In addition, through an Erasmus+ collaboration with Laurea University in Finland, the program is preparing to send a second cohort of students to Helsinki for a funded week-long study abroad experience, focused on AI and innovation. Finally, Dr. Allen has worked with her team to implement several curricular enhancements to strengthen math achievement, including data-driven placement tools, bridge coursework, and AI-supported learning modules. In collaboration with Bill Mandella and Ann Kessler, Dr. Allen has worked to integrate AI and adaptive learning technologies to streamline developmental math pathways, with plans to partner with faculty this fall to continue reducing math as a barrier to student success.
Please join me in congratulating Dr. Rebecca Allen – the Pride of the Lions for the month of October!!!
Sincerely,
H. James Williams, Ph.D.
President