Lamont Repollet, Ed.D., President | Kean University
Lamont Repollet, Ed.D., President | Kean University
Kean University has been granted an $800,000 award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to enhance diversity in computing fields. The research aims to attract and retain a more diverse group of students in STEM education and careers by focusing on inclusive software design.
Professor Patricia Morreale, Ph.D., leading the project, highlighted that Kean students studying computer science and information technology will be taught to create software that is accessible to a wider audience. She emphasized, "This approach is really helping all students be better developers and understand more about the people who will use their software."
The NSF-funded research project has dual objectives of promoting equity and inclusivity in computer science and information technology education and ensuring the retention of diverse students. Morreale emphasized the importance of retaining students from diverse backgrounds in STEM majors once they are enrolled in courses.
George Chang, Ph.D., the dean of The Dorothy and George Hennings College of Science, Mathematics, and Technology at Kean University, emphasized the significance of addressing the retention of computer science students from diverse backgrounds to achieve the institution's goal of becoming an R2 research institution.
Furthermore, Kean University will integrate equity and inclusion into regular classroom activities using the "Socioeconomic Inclusiveness Magnifier" (SESMag). This tool will help students work on inclusive software design throughout their academic journey at Kean.
Morreale underscored the importance of teaching inclusive software design for the future, stating, "The theory is if we teach inclusive software design now, our students will build the inclusive software we need for the future."
The project, titled "HSI Implementation and Evaluation Project: Regular CS x Inclusive Design x HSI Equals Building a Larger CS Workforce," is expected to engage around 20 Kean faculty members and impact approximately 2,000 students over a three-year period.
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