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Georgia Tech Celebrates 2025 Ph.D. Graduates in Cybersecurity and Privacy

dgivens8 — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 14:47:40 +0000

Georgia Tech Celebrates 2025 Ph.D. Graduates in Cybersecurity and Privacy dgivens8 Mon, 07/28/2025 - 10:47

The School of Cybersecurity and Privacy at Georgia Tech is proud to recognize the accomplishments of five doctoral students who finished their doctoral programs in Spring 2025. These scholars have advanced critical research in software security, cryptography, and privacy, collectively publishing 34 papers, most of which appear in top-tier venues.

Ammar Askar developed new tools for software security in multi-language systems, including a concolic execution engine powered by large language models. He highlighted DEFCON 2021, which he attended with the Systems Software and Security Lab (SSLab), as a favorite memory.

Zhengxian He persevered through the pandemic to lead a major project with an industry partner, achieving strong research outcomes. He will be joining Amazon and fondly remembers watching sunsets from the CODA building.

Stanislav Peceny focused on secure multiparty computation (MPC), designing high-performance cryptographic protocols that improve efficiency by up to 1000x. He’s known for his creativity in both research and life, naming avocado trees after famous mathematicians and enjoying research discussions on the CODA rooftop.

Qinge Xie impressed faculty with her adaptability across multiple domains. Her advisor praised her independence and technical range, noting her ability to pivot seamlessly between complex research challenges.

Yibin Yang contributed to the advancement of zero-knowledge proofs and MPC, building toolchains that are faster and more usable than existing systems. His work earned a Distinguished Paper Award at ACM CCS 2023, and he also served as an RSAC Security Scholar. Yang enjoyed teaching and engaging with younger students, especially through events like Math Kangaroo.

Faculty mentors included Regents’ Entrepreneur Mustaque Ahamad, Professors Taesoo Kim and Vladimir Kolesnikov, and Assistant Professor Frank Li, who played vital roles in guiding the graduates’ research journeys.

Learn more about the graduates and their mentors on the 2025 Ph.D. graduate microsite.

Subtitle

Summary sentence

Summary

Five Ph.D. students from Georgia Tech’s School of Cybersecurity and Privacy graduated in Spring 2025, contributing significant research in software security, cryptography, and privacy with 34 published papers. Highlights include Ammar Askar’s concolic execution tools, Zhengxian He’s industry collaboration, Stanislav Peceny’s advances in multiparty computation, Qinge Xie’s adaptability across domains, and Yibin Yang’s award-winning work on zero-knowledge proofs. Faculty mentors played key roles in supporting their success.

Dateline

Wed, 05/14/2025 - 12:00

jpopham3@gatech.edu

Contact

JP Popham, Communications Officer II

College of Computing | School of Cybersecurity and Privacy

Keywords

students

graduates

PhD

PhD Students

Research

go-research

go-researchnews

Daily Digest

website

academic excellence

Categories

Alumni

Community

Computer Science/Information Technology and Security

Research

Student Honors and Achievements

Student Research

Mercury ID

682394

Source updated

Mon, 07/28/2025 - 10:46

High Schoolers From Around the State Explore STEM Majors and Careers Through New Georgia Tech Summer Institute

admin — Thu, 03 Jul 2025 16:01:51 +0000

High Schoolers From Around the State Explore STEM Majors and Careers Through New Georgia Tech Summer Institute admin Thu, 07/03/2025 - 12:01

“I’m a bit more interested in going to Georgia Tech now than I was before,” said Harris County High School student Isaiah Willis while participating in a chemistry lab activity during last week’s Georgia Tech Summer Institute. “The science department that we’re in now—this seems pretty fun. I’ve never taken a chemistry class, so it seems pretty interesting. I might want to do this when I grow up.”

That sense of discovery was central to the campus experience for the 93 rising 11th graders representing 57 counties across Georgia—from Dade in the northwest corner to Chatham along the coast. The inaugural program was a weeklong statewide residential program hosted by Expanded Learning Programs in the Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing (CEISMC), which is now part of the College of Lifetime Learning.

Throughout the week, participants explored STEM majors and careers through hands-on activities, attended sessions on navigating college life, and built community with one another through fun and engaging social events. The Summer Institute, modeled after the Governor’s Honors Program and Georgia Tech’s First-Generation College Institute, is designed to identify, engage and prepare talented students for a successful transition to college, while providing STEM opportunities to build career awareness.

Sirocus Barnes, director of CEISMC’s Expanded Learning Programs and program organizer, explained that the Summer Institute was created to support the Institute’s strategic goal of expanding access by developing talent across Georgia—particularly among K-12 students in rural and under-resourced communities. The initiative aims to give students the tools to become competitive college applicants and future leaders in the STEM workforce.

“One of the things we really want to focus on in Expanded Learning Programs is providing rich and meaningful opportunities for young people outside of the traditional school day. Summer presents a great opportunity to do just that,” he said. “We’re using this unique window in the summer, when students are more free to travel, to invite them for a week of immersive learning. This program gives them the chance to spend meaningful time on campus and experience what Georgia Tech has to offer.”

A standout feature of the summer program was the strong support from the Office of Strategic Student Access and the six other academic colleges. Representatives from the Scheller College of Business, the College of Computing, the College of Design, the College of Engineering, the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts, and the College of Sciences hosted sessions over a two-day period. They gave building tours, led STEM learning activities connected to the majors offered, and demonstrated some of the research innovations students might encounter in those career paths.

On another day, staff from Undergraduate Admission, Scholarships and Financial Aid, and Student Engagement and Well-being delivered presentations about their respective offices. Current undergraduates, who served as group leaders, offered a peer perspective on college life. The final day concluded with a family showcase where participants shared reflections about their experiences.

Greenbrier High School student Katie Branigan summed up the sentiment the Summer Institute aimed to foster. “I’m very grateful because I’ve always wanted to go to Georgia Tech since I was little,” she said. “I’ve always known that I wanted to do engineering, and I’m just very grateful that I got this experience.”

Summary sentence

Georgia Tech's Summer Institute welcomed 93 rising 11th graders representing 57 counties across Georgia to campus.

Summary

Georgia Tech's Summer Institute welcomed 93 rising 11th graders representing 57 counties across Georgia to campus. The inaugural program was a weeklong statewide residential program hosted by Expanded Learning Programs in the Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing (CEISMC), which is now part of the College of Lifetime Learning.

Dateline

Mon, 06/30/2025 - 12:00

Contact

Joëlle Walls
CEISMC Communications

Keywords

CEISMC

college of lifetime learning

K-12 education

Georgia Tech Summer Institute

News room topics

Campus and Community

Categories

Community

Education

Institute and Campus

State Impact

Mercury ID

682944

Source updated

Thu, 07/03/2025 - 12:00

Middle Schoolers’ Feedback Informs New Approach to AI-based Museum Exhibits

dgivens8 — Fri, 30 May 2025 18:14:41 +0000

Middle Schoolers’ Feedback Informs New Approach to AI-based Museum Exhibits dgivens8 Fri, 05/30/2025 - 14:14

Researchers at Georgia Tech are creating accessible museum exhibits that explain artificial intelligence (AI) to middle school students, including the LuminAI interactive AI-based dance partner developed by Regents' Professor Brian Magerko.

Ph.D. students Yasmine Belghith and Atefeh Mahdavi co-led a study in a museum setting that observed how middle schoolers interact with the popular AI chatbot ChatGPT.

“It’s important for museums, especially science museums, to start incorporating these kinds of exhibits about AI and about using AI so the general population can have that avenue to interact with it and transfer that knowledge to everyday tools,” Belghith said.

Belghith and Mahdavi conducted their study with nine focus groups of 24 students at Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry. The team used the findings to inform their design of AI exhibits that the museum could display as early as 2025.

Belghith is a Ph.D. student in human-centered computing. Her advisor is Assistant Professor Jessica Roberts in the School of Interactive Computing. Magerko advises Mahdavi, a Ph.D. student in digital media in the School of Literature, Media, and Communication.

Belghith and Mahdavi presented a paper about their study in May at the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) 2024 Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI) in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Their work is part of a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant dedicated to fostering AI literacy among middle schoolers in informal environments.

Expanding Accessibility

While there are existing efforts to reach students in the classroom, the researchers believe AI education is most accessible in informal learning environments like museums.

“There’s a need today for everybody to have some sort of AI literacy,” Belghith said. “Many middle schoolers will not be taking computer science courses or pursuing computer science careers, so there needs to be interventions to teach them what they should know about AI.”

The researchers found that most of the middle schoolers interacted with ChatGPT to either test its knowledge by prompting it to answer questions or socialize with it by having human-like conversations.

Others fit the mold of “content explorers.” They did not engage with the AI aspect of ChatGPT and focused more on the content it produced.

Mahdavi said regardless of their approach, students would get “tunnel vision” in their interactions instead of exploring more of the AI’s capabilities.

“If they go in a certain direction, they will continue to explore that,” Mahdavi said. “One thing we can learn from this is to nudge kids and show them there are other things you can do with AI tools or get them to think about it another way.”

The researchers also paid attention to what was missing in the students’ responses, which Mahdavi said was just as important as what they did talk about.

“None of them mentioned anything about ethics or what could be problematic about AI,” she said. “That told us there’s something they aren’t thinking about but should be. We take that into account as we think about future exhibits.”

Making an Impact

The researchers visited the Museum of Science and Industry June 1-2 to conduct the first trial run of three AI-based exhibits they’ve created. One of them is LuminAI, which was developed in Magerko’s Expressive Machinery Lab.

LuminAI is an interactive art installation that allows people to engage in collaborative movement with an AI dance partner. Georgia Tech and Kennesaw State recently held the first performance of AI avatars dancing with human partners in front of a live audience.

Duri Long, a former Georgia Tech Ph.D. student who is now an assistant professor at Northwestern University, designed the second exhibit. KnowledgeNet is an interactive tabletop exhibit in which visitors build semantic networks by adding different characteristics to characters that interact together.

The third exhibit, Data Bites, prompts users to build datasets of pizzas and sandwiches. Their selections train a machine-learning classifier in real time.

Belghith said the exhibits fostered conversations about AI between parents and children.

“The exhibit prototypes successfully engaged children in creative activities,” she said. “Many parents had to pull their kids away to continue their museum tour because the kids wanted more time to try different creations or dance moves.”

Summary sentence

Partnering with Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry, Researchers at Georgia Tech are creating accessible museum exhibits that explain artificial intelligence (AI) to middle school students.

Summary

Ph.D. students Yasmine Belghith and Atefeh Mahdavi co-led a study in a museum setting that observed how middle schoolers interact with the popular AI chatbot ChatGPT.

Dateline

Fri, 06/21/2024 - 12:00

Contact

Nathan Deen

Communications Officer I

School of Interactive Computing

Associated importer

Keywords

go-ai

artificial intelligence

middle school

AI education

go-researchnews

Research Horizons

Categories

Community

Education

Exhibitions

Georgia Tech Arts

Music and Music Technology

Mercury ID

675196

Source updated

Wed, 07/17/2024 - 10:05

Faster Frame Propels Yellow Jacket at Cycling Nationals

admin — Tue, 27 May 2025 20:34:41 +0000

Faster Frame Propels Yellow Jacket at Cycling Nationals admin Tue, 05/27/2025 - 16:34

Elanor Finlayson, a master's computer science student, secured her spot on the podium at the recent Collegiate National Road Cycling Race on a bicycle designed and built by a fellow Yellow Jacket.

As a high school athlete, the Atlanta native often used cycling for cross-training, but she began cycling more frequently during the Covid-19 pandemic. At the same time, in northern Virginia, Iain MacKeith, ME 2023, continued his cycling ambitions on the bike and in the shop.

Combining his interest in mechanical engineering and cycling, and having competed in races since he was 9, MacKeith began constructing steel bicycle frames. He designed and built six frames in six months before arriving at Tech in August 2020.

Once on campus, Finlayson and MacKeith both sought out a cycling community and joined the Georgia Tech Cycling Club. They began training and racing together, and when Finlayson found out about her training partner's side hobby, she commissioned MacKeith to make her a gravel bike. MacKeith has since made five more bikes for Finlayson, including the carbon fiber road bike she used in the recent national competition — a race she was determined to compete in after breaking her collarbone in 2024.

"I was off the bike for two months and in a sling, but once I figured out a way to get on the indoor bike trainer, I was ready to get back to training,” she said. “Once I had the all-clear from the doctor, I knew I was going to throw everything into training and gear up for nationals."

Finlayson was unable to participate in nationals while completing her computer science degree due to her finals schedule, but as a graduate student, she knew she had the chance to compete. Confident in her equipment and herself, Finlayson's goal was to earn a spot in the top five. With the finish line in sight at the end of the 60-mile race in Madison, Wisconsin, she was overcome with emotion.

"Coming into the final straight, I just started screaming. It was a combination of intensity, the fact that I was pushing myself so hard, and it was such an insane moment to realize that I would be on the podium," she said.

MacKeith, former cycling club president at Tech, is familiar with the feeling of crossing the finish line, but as the maker of Finlayson's bike, he found a similar sense of accomplishment on the sidelines.

"I think it's an accomplishment and a sense of relief. The interesting thing about cycling is that, even though it's one person on the podium, it's a team sport in a way, and we can share this feeling, and there's a great satisfaction to playing a part in someone else's success," he said.

As a mechanical engineering student, MacKeith gained a better understanding of the materials needed to construct a more aerodynamic frame, particularly carbon fiber. While at Tech, he spent hours in campus makerspaces as a prototyping instructor at the Flowers Invention Studio, where he taught other students how to create their own frames.

Since graduation, MacKeith has worked at a space and aerospace manufacturing company, but he hasn't stopped constructing bicycles. Without the makerspaces, he built a home studio and retrofitted an oven to handle curing abilities for carbon fiber parts.

MacKeith intends to keep making bicycles but doesn't intend to mass produce his designs, because his joy comes from fitting each frame to its rider's specific needs. He also continues to improve the design of a filament winding machine, which he created as a student at Tech, that allows him to robotically layup carbon fiber tow into tubular shapes to increase efficiency in the construction process.

Through her lab work on campus and her studies, Finlayson has become increasingly interested in the use of data and has implemented it in her training methods. Set to graduate in December, she intends to enter the data analytics field with a focus on improving public health outcomes.

No matter where their professional paths take them, MacKeith and Finlayson have a shared desire to compete and win, so they will continue to race and motivate each other along the way.

Subtitle

A Georgia Tech student placed in the top five at the Collegiate National Road Cycling Race, thanks in part to her custom bicycle frame built by a fellow Tech cyclist.

Summary sentence

A Georgia Tech student placed in the top five at the Collegiate National Road Cycling Race, thanks in part to her custom bicycle frame built by a fellow Tech cyclist.

Summary

A Georgia Tech student placed in the top five at the Collegiate National Road Cycling Race, thanks in part to her custom bicycle frame built by a fellow Tech cyclist.

Dateline

Tue, 05/27/2025 - 12:00

steven.gagliano@gatech.edu

Contact

Steven Gagliano – Institute Communications

Associated importer

Keywords

national bike month

georgia tech cycling club

News room topics

Campus and Community

Categories

Alumni

Community

Engineering

Mercury ID

682546

Source updated

Tue, 05/27/2025 - 16:33

Campus Connection Inspires Mother and Son to Find Purpose and Passion

admin — Fri, 09 May 2025 14:00:41 +0000

Campus Connection Inspires Mother and Son to Find Purpose and Passion admin Fri, 05/09/2025 - 10:00

When Andrew Rush started at Georgia Tech last fall, he already had a sense of direction as soon as he set foot on campus. His mother, Holly Rush, is a longtime Georgia Tech staff employee, and this exposure influenced Andrew to study at the Institute.

We caught up with Holly and Andrew to learn more about what makes Georgia Tech so appealing to students and employees alike, and the unique perspective their mother-son relationship brings to campus.

How long have you worked at Georgia Tech? What do you do as a financial operations assistant director?

[Holly] I have been at Georgia Tech since 2000 and joined the College of Computing in early 2005. Ironically and very memorably, I found out I was expecting Andrew right after I started in Computing. I still recall being very nervous about telling my new boss that I was expecting, but she was happy for me and very accommodating. I went to the bookstore right after our meeting and bought Andrew his first Georgia Tech t-shirt, which I plan to pass down to him one day.

Being part of the College for this long, I have watched it grow from having divisions to schools. I began as a financial administrator and steadily grew into my current role as assistant director of financial operations for the School of Computational Science and Engineering (CSE). In my current role, I oversee financial operations for the School of CSE, including budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and ensuring compliance with Institute and sponsor guidelines. I work closely with faculty, staff, and leadership to support our financial programs and other initiatives. It is a rewarding role that allows me to contribute to the success of the college while watching it grow, just like my own journey here.

How much influence did your mom’s work at Georgia Tech have on your interest in coming here for college?

[Andrew] It definitely played a role. I grew up a fan of all things Georgia Tech, so this was always my dream school. When I got in, all the stars aligned. Tech was my dream school, my mom worked there, and I was close to home. It was perfect.

What is it about Georgia Tech that has kept you here for more than two decades?

[Holly] From the beginning, I have always felt that my work contributes to something bigger – supporting faculty who offer world-class education and innovation. I have had the opportunity to grow professionally and work alongside very talented colleagues.

How has your first year gone? What do you like best about attending Georgia Tech?

[Andrew] Overwhelming. I wasn’t sure what to expect from attending college. The college lifestyle was a big change for me, and I had to learn how to navigate it. I knew Georgia Tech would be challenging, and I thought I was ready for it, but it was still harder than I expected. However, I managed to get through my first year with great resilience and finish stronger than I started.

What do you each like best about being on campus together?

[Holly] I enjoy being nearby and getting to share this chapter of his life. There are many times that Andrew is focused on his studies or his fraternity commitments, so he doesn’t get to come home as often as I would like. But with me being on campus, we can grab a quick lunch or have a short visit. I also like knowing he is a short walk from my office if I want to drop off a homemade meal. Even when we are both too busy for a visit, sometimes I find myself looking out the window across campus. Just seeing the top of a building where he is attending class gives me comfort knowing he is there.

[Andrew] Bouncing off of what my mom said, it has been great. It is comforting that I can go to her office just to say “hey,” and not drive all the way home. It’s nice that when I’m having a rough patch with school, she drops by to offer some reassurance.

What has been the key to reaching the milestones of a fulfilling career and witnessing your children achieve their goals?

[Holly] The key to reaching these milestones has really been maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Georgia Tech has given me the space and support to grow professionally while also being present as a parent. That balance has been everything. It allowed me to build a fulfilling career that I’m proud of, while also being there to watch my children grow and pursue their dreams, including Andrew becoming a Georgia Tech student himself. Being able to do both, without having to choose one over the other, has truly been the foundation of my success and happiness.

What do you look forward to in the next few years studying computer engineering at Georgia Tech? And after graduating?

[Andrew] I am most excited for my threads and starting my career. I have learned so much that I am already applying my studies. I recently used Raspberry Pi to build a circuit that enabled a motion detector to work and set off an LED indicating motion. This was a part of my discovery class for my major, and it was the most fun I have had at Georgia Tech so far. It was very new and exciting to learn about, and it motivates me to put my skills to work.

After graduating, I want to work in cybersecurity, possibly as a hardware security engineer for the government or even my own startup. The project I mentioned opened my eyes to my threads and really motivated me to continue in this field.

Rush is one of more than 150 College of Computing staff members who support the College and its five schools. Staff members are the backbone of the College. From managing operations to providing essential services, their dedication ensures the seamless delivery of education, research, and community support, making them integral to the College's success.

Summary sentence

Holly Rush has worked at Georgia Tech since 2000. Her employment influenced her son, Andrew, to attend the Institute and study computer engineering.

Summary

We caught up with Holly and Andrew to learn more about what makes Georgia Tech so appealing to students and employees alike, and the unique perspective their mother-son relationship brings to campus.

Dateline

Thu, 05/08/2025 - 12:00

Contact

Bryant Wine, Communications Officer
bryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu

Keywords

College of Computing

college of engineering

School of Computational Science and Engineering

College of Engineering; School of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Daily Digest

The Whistle

whistle

Georgia Tech News Center

Mother's Day

News room topics

Campus and Community

Categories

Community

Computer Science/Information Technology and Security

Engineering

Student and Faculty

Mercury ID

682285

Source updated

Fri, 05/09/2025 - 09:59

Computing Student Launches First-Ever Hacker House on Campus

admin — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 14:39:41 +0000

Computing Student Launches First-Ever Hacker House on Campus admin Fri, 04/25/2025 - 10:39

For Georgia Tech computer science student Yamil Quispe, the idea was simple: create a space where passionate people could build, collaborate, and launch ideas together. That vision led to the Georgia Tech Hacker House, which Quispe calls the first-ever residency for builders on campus.

Located at 160 6th St NW, the Hacker House offers 10 rooms and 20 spots in a nine-month live-in program for students working on startups, research, or creative projects.

“Every resident becomes part of the founding committee that shapes the house culture,” Quispe said.

Inspired by the Bay Area

The idea stemmed from Quispe’s summers interning at tech companies in the Bay Area. During these summers, he visited hacker houses while working on his startup, Sideye, an anonymous messaging app.

“I loved the energy and community. I wanted to bring that same environment back to campus—essentially bringing the Bay Area to Atlanta,” he said. “I wanted to live with my co-founders to work more effectively.”

The opportunity came when a friend mentioned a fraternity house with open rooms. Quispe contacted the house manager and signed a contract to rent it out for the upcoming academic year.

A House Built for Builders

Running from August 10, 2025, to May 10, 2026, the house will bring together students building in areas like B2B SaaS, AR/VR, and social media. Some residents have co-founders, others work solo—but all have a project to focus on.

“There are no extra fees beyond rent,” Quispe said. “But we’re still exploring partnerships to add more resources for everyone in the house.”

Participants will have access to workspaces, mentorship from Georgia Tech alumni, and connections to industry professionals.

“We’ll host regular hackathons, workshops, and speaker sessions with interesting guests,” he said. “It’s all about holding each other accountable and growing personally and professionally.”

A Wave of Interest

Interest in the house took off almost immediately.

News of the Hacker House spread quickly across LinkedIn, Reddit, Discord, and Instagram.

“Meeting the selected members in person and seeing their excitement was by far the best part,” Quispe said.

In just three weeks, nearly 180 students applied for the 20 spots. The selection process considered potential and what residents could contribute, such as hosting events or bringing in mentors. Only two spots remain for the upcoming year, and a waitlist of over 20 students has already formed for fall 2026.

Looking Ahead

Quispe hopes the Hacker House will eventually become an official part of Georgia Tech and inspire similar spaces at other universities.

Quispe advises other students hoping to build something on campus to “just get started.”

“You don’t need everything figured out from the start,” he said. “Don’t underestimate your ability; sometimes it’s as simple as asking the right questions or knocking on the right door. The best ideas often take unconventional paths, so be open to unexpected opportunities like renting a frat house to start a hacker house.”

Summary sentence

For Georgia Tech computer science student Yamil Quispe, the idea was simple: create a space where passionate people could build, collaborate, and launch ideas together.

Summary

Dateline

Fri, 04/11/2025 - 12:00

emily.smith@cc.gatech.edu

Associated importer

Keywords

College of Computing

hacker house

News room topics

Campus and Community

Categories

Community

Mercury ID

681750

Source updated

Fri, 04/25/2025 - 10:39

Georgia Tech Creates New Office of Student Achievement

admin — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 12:27:41 +0000

Georgia Tech Creates New Office of Student Achievement admin Thu, 04/24/2025 - 08:27

Georgia Tech’s Office of the Provost announced today some organizational changes to support student success, including the creation of an Office of Student Achievement within the Office of Undergraduate Education, which will now become the Office of Undergraduate Education and Student Success.

“Ensuring that all students who attend Georgia Tech have the academic resources they need to succeed is our top priority,” said Steve McLaughlin, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “While our academic support services have always been open to all students, we are making changes to better emphasize and communicate that these services are available to any student with a need.”

These changes will reimagine Georgia Tech’s student success efforts and resources under one umbrella to emphasize the availability of these resources for all students. The newly created Office of Student Achievement will represent an evolution and rethinking of OMED: Educational Services and First-Generation Student Initiatives. The new unit, which will be led by Sybrina Atwaters, will expand current student success programs and services aimed at improving retention and graduation rates and academic engagement, and will assess and address gaps in student academic support, identify areas for optimization, and strengthen partnerships that enhance student success.

The Office of Student Achievement will collaborate across units in the Office of Undergraduate Education and Student Success to build partnerships with other student resource units across campus, such as the Tech Promise Scholarship, Strategic Outreach Initiatives, Financial Aid, and Student Engagement and Well-being. These changes will serve as another positive step towards delivering on Georgia Tech’s strategic priority to be a national leader in four- and six-year graduation rates and employment success for all students.

Writer: Kathleen Conley, Director of Executive Communications, Institute Communications

Summary sentence

Georgia Tech introduces the new Office of Student Achievement within the renamed Office of Undergraduate Education and Student Success.

Summary

Georgia Tech’s Office of the Provost announced today some organizational changes to support student success, including the creation of an Office of Student Achievement within the Office of Undergraduate Education, which will now become the Office of Undergraduate Education and Student Success.

Dateline

Thu, 04/24/2025 - 12:00

provostsoffice@gatech.edu

Contact

Office of the Provost

Associated importer

Keywords

Office of Student Achievement

Sybrina Atwaters

office of undergraduate education

Office of Undergraduate Education and Student Success

News room topics

Campus and Community

Categories

Community

Mercury ID

681996

Source updated

Thu, 04/24/2025 - 08:26

Ramblin’ Hacks: College of Computing Hosts Inaugural Hackathon

dgivens8 — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 13:25:41 +0000

Ramblin’ Hacks: College of Computing Hosts Inaugural Hackathon dgivens8 Tue, 04/22/2025 - 09:25

The College of Computing hosted its first-ever hackathon this month, marking a major milestone in student engagement and corporate partnership.

Though the College has long supported hackathons organized by student groups and independent teams, this event, dubbed Ramblin’ Hacks, was the first to be exclusively organized and hosted by the College.

“This was a big deal,” Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education Olufisayo Omojokun said. “It’s the first time the College has put its resources—people, funding, everything—behind a hackathon from start to finish.”

The Power of Partnership

Industry partners were crucial to the event’s success. Sponsors included Elevance Health, Goldman Sachs, U.S. Soccer, GEICO, FanDuel, Microsoft, and The Trade Desk. These companies provided valuable support through the Corporate Affiliates Program (CAP).

“Ramblin’ Hacks 2025 was a huge success in bringing together top talent and industry innovation. It was exciting to see so much interest from our corporate partners. I’m proud of the wide-ranging set of challenge tracks we helped curate,” Corporate Relations Manager Alyshia Lenoir said.

Lenoir, who initially proposed the idea for a student-organized hackathon, played a key role in expanding it into a College-wide event.

The College’s Constellations Center for Education in Computing also supported the event by recruiting several local high school students and running a separate coding session in partnership with the United States Soccer Federation.

A Community-Driven Experience

A conversation between student leaders and Aarush Yadav, a first-year student and veteran hackathon winner, sparked the idea for Ramblin’ Hacks. When Yadav sought funding to attend a hackathon at Rutgers University, where he ultimately won, the conversation turned to the possibility of hosting a hackathon at Georgia Tech. That idea quickly gained traction and evolved into Ramblin’ Hacks, which brought together 31 student teams for a weekend of innovation and collaboration.

Yadav played a key role in the planning team, saying, “It was amazing to see our hard work finally materialize. Participants worked tirelessly over the weekend to create incredible projects and win amazing prizes. I’m looking forward to executing Ramblin’ Hacks in the years to come.”

Omojokun highlighted Yadav’s dual perspective as both a student and a competitor.

“He wasn’t just a participant; he helped build this with us. It made a real difference to have a student who knows what success looks like from the inside,” Omojokun said.

Director of Community and Student Enrichment Troy Peace emphasized this and how the event brought together students with varying experience levels.

“We had students who had never been to a hackathon before sitting next to people who had already won several,” Peace said. “That kind of atmosphere builds confidence and community.”

Ekta Raj, a computer science major, called Ramblin’ Hacks “one of the best” hackathons she’s attended, praising the event’s structure and collaborative atmosphere for how easy it was for teams to work together.

Looking Ahead

Student Organization Manager Oniecia Henry reflected on the event’s success, saying, “The creativity, the collaboration, the support from our partners all came together in a meaningful way. I think this is just the beginning of something much bigger for the College of Computing.”

Looking to the future, Omojokun shared plans for a credit-based engagement system to track student participation in College events, such as hackathons and workshops. This system could influence funding and support, and the credits could then be factored into budget decisions and funding opportunities through Pitch Thursdays.

“Imagine a world where your club’s participation directly influences the support you get from the College,” Omojokun said. “It’s a way to reward students who are actively building this community.”

As Ramblin’ Hacks sets the stage for future events, the College is committed to expanding these experiential learning opportunities, linking problem-solving, corporate collaboration, and student initiative.

Subtitle

Summary sentence

The College of Computing hosted its first-ever hackathon this month.

Summary

Dateline

Thu, 04/17/2025 - 12:00

emily.smith@cc.gatech.edu

Associated importer

Keywords

College of Computing

Hackathon

school of computing instruction

Categories

Community

Education

Student Competition WInners (academic, innovation, and research)

Mercury ID

681945

Source updated

Tue, 04/22/2025 - 09:24

Meet CSE Profile: Grace Driskill

dgivens8 — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 13:29:41 +0000

Meet CSE Profile: Grace Driskill dgivens8 Mon, 03/31/2025 - 09:29

Grace Driskill made Georgia Tech history when she arrived on campus in 2023. She is the first student-athlete to study computational science and engineering (CSE). While this is a notable benchmark, Driskill’s achievements on the track and in the classroom defined her career at Georgia Tech.

As a competitive runner, Driskill holds the fourth-fastest 3000-meter time in the history of Georgia Tech’s women's indoor track program. Off the track, Driskill is a three-time All-ACC Academic team honoree on the women’s cross-country and track teams, and in 2024, she received the College of Computing’s Donald V. Jackson Fellowship.

We caught up with Driskill to learn more about her and how she balances academic and athletic responsibilities.

Student: Grace Driskill

Current Degree Program: M.S. in Computational Science and Engineering

Research Interests: Computational biology, computing applications toward health

Hometown: Tucson, Arizona

Where are you from, and how did you get to Georgia Tech?

I grew up in Tucson, Arizona. I attended the University of Arizona, earning a bachelor’s degree in computer science while running on the track and field team. When I finished my undergraduate, I still had two seasons of eligibility to run track. I looked into master’s programs so that I could continue my athletic career and expand my horizons academically.

The cards fell into place for me to come here. Georgia Tech has a great reputation as a school for computing and engineering. Additionally, the cross country and women’s track coach, Alan Drosky, is very experienced and knowledgeable in coaching distance runners.

You are the first ever student-athlete in the School of CSE’s history. What does this mean to you? What does it mean for the CSE program?

I didn’t realize I was the first student-athlete in the School of CSE, but I think it’s pretty cool. It is meaningful to me, and hopefully, others, because it goes against the thought that you need to fit into some typical mold to be a student-athlete or to study CSE.

CSE is a challenging degree for any student, let alone a student-athlete. What interested you about the program in the first place?

I think the CSE program at Georgia Tech is unique; not many colleges in the U.S. offer a master’s degree in the topic. I like the interdisciplinary nature of it. I enjoyed studying computer science during my undergraduate, but I thought leaning more into computing applications was an interesting opportunity.

Could you describe an average day for you as a CSE student-athlete?

After eating some breakfast and having a coffee, the first thing I typically do is go for an easy run that might be 3-8 miles. Then, I go to class or do homework for a few hours, making sure to take a break for lunch.

At 3:30 p.m., I have practice with the team. This typically includes a higher-intensity run and exercises to practice form or help with strength and mobility. After practice, I usually stretch and take an ice bath for recovery. I typically get home around 6-6:30. Then, I’ll eat dinner and maybe do some more work, but I try to get to bed at a decent hour.

What CSE research areas interest you most and why?

Computational biology and applications in healthcare. Health affects everyone throughout their lives, so it is an important topic. Additionally, there are many applications and different angles to use computing in the field.

What do you do to relax or for fun?

Currently, I have been watching the TV show Severance. A new episode comes out weekly, so getting together with friends is something relaxing to look forward to. I also like to cook. When I have some free time, I enjoy taking a bit more time while cooking dinner to make something exciting or different.

What is your proudest achievement at Georgia Tech?

Last year, I qualified for the preliminary round of the track national championship. I love representing Georgia Tech at every competition throughout the season, but the opportunity to do it at a higher level and in a more prominent competition was extra special.

What are your plans after completing your M.S.?

After graduation, I will work at Sandia National Labs in their Technical Internships to Advance National Security (TITANS) program.

Summary sentence

Meet Grace Driskill, the first-ever student-athlete in the School of Computational Science and Engineering who holds records in the history books of Georgia Tech's Cross Country and Track and Field teams and the College of Computing.

Summary

We caught up with Driskill to learn more about her and how she balances academic and athletic responsibilities.

Dateline

Mon, 03/31/2025 - 12:00

Contact

Bryant Wine, Communications Officer
bryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu

Associated importer

Keywords

College of Computing

School of Computational Science and Engineering

GT athletics

cross country

track and field

women's athletics

Daily Digest

Georgia Tech News Center

Categories

Community

Student and Faculty

Student Honors and Achievements

Mercury ID

681454

Source updated

Mon, 03/31/2025 - 09:28

Georgia Tech Leads the Way in AI Literacy with OpenAI Academy Collaboration

admin — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 13:03:39 +0000

Georgia Tech Leads the Way in AI Literacy with OpenAI Academy Collaboration admin Thu, 03/27/2025 - 09:03

The demand for AI education is clear, and Georgia Tech, along with the new OpenAI Academy, is poised to meet this need by offering opportunities and resources to advance public knowledge in this emerging field.

This exciting new partnership between Georgia Tech and the OpenAI Academy is aimed at advancing AI education. This collaboration is part of the academy's initiative to create a publicly available, free online resource hub designed to support AI literacy and provide access to essential tools, best practices, and peer insights for effective and responsible AI use.

The OpenAI Academy, which initially focused on in-person programs for developers and technical users, is now expanding its reach to a broader community. This includes educators, students, and small business owners. The goal is to unlock new opportunities for learning, economic mobility, growth, and innovation by empowering more people to confidently use AI.

The new online hub will feature an expanding library of on-demand content, including educational materials created by partners like Common Sense Media. In the coming months, the academy will continue to grow its offerings, adding new resources and in-person AI literacy workshops. These workshops will be hosted in collaboration with higher education institutions such as Georgia Tech and Miami Dade College.

As part of Tech AI Fest 2025, Georgia Tech hosted an AI literacy workshop Tuesday, March 25. This event was Georgia Tech’s premier AI gathering, bringing together researchers, industry professionals, policymakers, and students for discussions on the latest advancements in artificial intelligence. The workshop, held at the East Architecture Building, provided hands-on learning experiences and showcased the practical applications of AI in various fields.

The partnership between Georgia Tech and OpenAI Academy underscores Tech's commitment to advancing AI education and ensuring that AI literacy is accessible to everyone. By participating in this initiative, the Institute aims to provide learners with the confidence and skills needed to thrive in an AI-powered economy, ultimately benefiting local communities and fostering innovation.

Summary sentence

New OpenAI Academy at Georgia Tech offers education and resources to advance public knowledge in one of the top fields globally.

Summary

Georgia Tech has teamed up with OpenAI Academy to transform AI literacy through an innovative online resource hub and dynamic hands-on workshops. This pioneering initiative aims to democratize AI education, reaching a diverse audience that includes educators, students, job-seekers, and nonprofit leaders. The collaboration kicks off with an exciting AI literacy workshop at Tech AI Fest 2025, where participants will engage in practical learning experiences and explore cutting-edge AI applications. By making AI education accessible and empowering individuals to thrive in an AI-driven economy, Georgia Tech is leading the charge in shaping the future of technology and innovation.

Dateline

Thu, 03/27/2025 - 12:00

media@gatech.edu

Contact

Georgia Tech Media Relations

Institute Communications

Keywords

OpenAI Academy

Georgia Tech

AI literacy

AI education

Tech AI Fest 2025

online resource hub

Workshops

hands-on learning

innovation

economic mobility

community learning

Educators

students

job-seekers

nonprofit leaders

small business owners

AI-powered economy

partnership

expanding library

on-demand content

News room topics

Business and Economic Development

Campus and Community

Science and Technology

Categories

Business

Community

Education

Institute and Campus

Research

Mercury ID

681407

Source updated

Thu, 03/27/2025 - 09:03

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