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UCO Professors Awarded National Science Foundation Grant

Sept. 23, 2024

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded two University of Central Oklahoma professors a grant totaling nearly $300,000 to design a robust computer science curriculum for underserved populations. 

Joselina Cheng, D.B.A., professor in the Department of Information Systems Operations Management in the UCO College of Business, and Gang Qian, Ph.D., professor and Department of Computer Science chair in the UCO College of Mathematics and Science, received the funding to form researcher-practitioner-partnerships (RPPs) to design curriculum. The curriculum will empower tribal educators to prepare the future workforce using different professional development strategies and interventions through computer science. ​ 

Cheng and Qian’s research will be supported by 20 undergraduate and 10 graduate students who will serve as research assistants, demonstrating UCO’s commitment to student-involved research at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

"This grant is pivotal in transforming the AI education at UCO and within underserved communities as we prepare future business leaders to serve our constituencies, promote economic growth in Oklahoma, retain talents to address global complexities with innovative solutions and sustain the long-term competitiveness of our nation," Cheng said. 

Through the grant, high school educators from public schools, reservations and homeschools will be trained on how to teach culturally resonant computer science content to honor tribal heritage, as well as how to use generative artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain and machine learning to widen computer science applications. 

“I am grateful for NSF's support of this project. It's an honor to work with Dr. Cheng on her initiative to revolutionize computer science education in Oklahoma’s tribal communities by equipping educators and students with cutting-edge skills and resources,” Qian said. 

For more information about the College of Business, visit uco.edu/business. 

For more information about the College of Mathematics and Science, visit uco.edu/cms.

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Devan Wielgos

Devan Wielgos

Communications and Marketing Coordinator, UCO University Communications

 

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About University of Central Oklahoma

The University of Central Oklahoma is a campus community in motion—leading, innovating and creating transformative learning opportunities that foster success for our students. As Oklahoma’s largest metropolitan university, we provide high-quality, nationally recognized programs that are always evolving and adapting to the needs of our students and the community. This commitment is rooted in our founding in 1890 as the state’s teacher’s college, training those who would educate the next generation of leaders and innovators. We remain dedicated to offering an accessible, affordable education, earning national accolades for social mobility, veterans’ outreach and first-generation student programs.

Guided by the motto “ubi motus est” – which translates to “where movement is” – the university continues to evolve and grow, offering 119 undergraduate and 81 graduate programs to our more than 12,000 students from our main campus in Edmond, Oklahoma, and facilities throughout the Oklahoma City metro. Our colors were the first adopted of any university in the state, and our Bronze and Blue symbolize our greatest strengths—the illumination of new ideas and the endless expanse of a clear sky above. At UCO, anything is possible.

The university is governed by the Regional University System of Oklahoma Board of Regents and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Contact

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www.uco.edu