The National Science Foundation has awarded Kean University nearly $1.7 million in research funding to develop a model for computer science and information technology education designed to increase the number of students studying computer science and IT.

Building on the success of Kean’s computer science program, the grant will fund a five-year research project that will launch in October, called Building Capacity: Pathway to Success for Students and Faculty in Computing.

“We’re delighted,” said Patricia Morreale, Ph.D., professor and executive director of Kean’s School of Computer Science, who said the grant will permit the University to “continue to scale up the number of students in our programs while expanding and learning from our successful approach.”

When completed, the research is expected to improve computer science teaching, encourage innovative faculty development methods, and identify early intervention techniques for improving student academic success, leading to a larger, more diverse community of graduates.

“These funds will help keep us on the path of success in computer science,” Kean President Dawood Farahi, Ph.D., said. “Kean has worked to be a leader in the crucial STEM fields, and we are proud of the diversity among our students. We are grateful to the National Science Foundation for recognizing and supporting the strength of our programs.”

Read more