Welcome to the new edition of News Bytes, rounding up stories from Spring 2026! News Bytes is your go-to source for all the news at Drexel University's School of Computer and Information Sciences (SCIS, formerly CCI), where we recognize academic and professional milestones of our students and faculty. Whether you're looking for inspiration or just want to stay in the loop, we’ve got highlights from across the SCIS community.
In the News
A New Name and a New Dean
Inset photo: Dr. Eunice E. Santos; a rendering of a future Howley College facility.
Drexel reached two pivotal milestones this spring in its Academic Transformation toward the formation of the new College of Engineering and Computing, which integrates Drexel’s engineering, biomedical engineering and science, and computer and information sciences schools.
In June, The Howley Foundation, a nonprofit philanthropic organization led by alumnus and trustee W. Nicholas “Nick” Howley ’75, his wife Lorie and their daughter Meg Howley ’10, committed $112.6 million to the University to establish the Nick Howley College of Engineering and Computing. The commitment — the largest pledge in the University’s history — will dedicate more than $36 million to create 55,000-plus square feet of classroom, laboratory and collaborative learning spaces in Drexel facilities. The gift will also allocate more than $76 million to support generations of Drexel students through scholarships and programming, enabling the College to recruit talented students with limited financial means.
Two months earlier, Drexel appointed Eunice E. Santos, PhD, inaugural dean of the Howley College of Engineering and Computing (CoEC) following a nationwide search. In addition to serving as the inaugural dean, Santos has been appointed the inaugural Thomas E. and Christine D. Berk Endowed Professor and Distinguished University Professor of Computer Science, effective August 1, 2026.
Drexel SCIS Featured in The Chronicle of Higher Education Story on AI and the Future of Computer Science Careers
Drexel SCIS Assistant Professor Jeffrey Salvage and senior Audra Stein, BS computer science ’26, were quoted in a Chronicle of Higher Education article examining how computer science programs are preparing students for an AI-driven workforce. The story explores how universities are incorporating AI into senior capstone projects while emphasizing the human skills—such as communication, collaboration, and problem-solving—that help graduates stand out in an evolving job market. Note: This article is behind a paywall.
Student Success
SCIS Undergraduate Students Win First Place at Programming Competition
In April 2026, SCIS undergraduate students Andria Beridze, computer science ’29; Bao Vuong, computer science, Honors ’29 and Teiji Schoyen, computer science ’26, won first place at the Swarthmore Spring Programming Competition. The ICPC-style competition was open to students from Philadelphia-area colleges and universities, with 12 teams from Swarthmore College, Villanova University, West Chester University, Wilkes University and Drexel University competing.
Successfully “Securing” a Co-op
The Drexel University Public Safety unit thanked SCIS undergraduate John Burkhardt, computing and security technology ’29, who spent his fall/winter co-op as a social media content creator and investigative security aide with DPS. The Public Safety office highlighted his work in bringing a student perspective to the unit’s publications.
SCIS Senior Crowned Royal Dragon
This year’s Homecoming put a SCIS senior in the spotlight. Mehroj Alimov, computer science and finance ’26 in the former College of Computing & Informatics (CCI) and student in the Pennoni Honors College, was nominated to the Homecoming Court and subsequently named as Royal Dragon. Students vote for the Royal Dragon from among those selected to become members of the year’s Homecoming Court. The Royal Dragon holds this title throughout the year and receives a scholarship. “All of CCI supported me,” Alimov said, in the article detailing the experience and his time at Drexel.
Scholarships
SCIS Gilman Scholar to Study Abroad in South Korea
SCIS congratulates Vineet Kaur, BS computing & security technology '27, Honors, for being named a 2026 Gilman Scholar. Kaur will receive funding from the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program to support studying abroad in South Korea. Kaur is among nine Drexel students selected for the scholarship.
According to the Pennoni Honors College, “The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program supports students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad. The program encourages students to study or intern abroad in all world regions and from all U.S. states, academic fields, backgrounds, and types of institutions.”
Conferences & Research Activities
Spring Mini Grants Propel Student Research
Pennoni Honors College’s Undergraduate Research and Enrichment Programs office awarded 10 Drexel student-faculty pairs with mini grants of up to $1,000, funding research, scholarship and creative work in spring 2026. SCIS undergraduate student Karan Bindal, data science, Honors ‘29, was among the recipients. Bindal will be working alongside Shadi Rezapour, PhD, assistant professor of information science.
SCIS students at DEGS 2026
PhD Students Present at Homegrown DEGS Conference
Five SCIS information science in PhD students joined more than 70 graduate and professional students presenting their research at the 10th Annual Drexel Emerging Graduate Scholars (DEGS) Research Showcase held in April. Two exhibits from the SCIS students took home second-place poster awards.
For more SCIS research news, check out our Spring Research Bytes and its May 2026 addendum.
Alumni Updates
Three SCIS Alumni Named in Drexel Magazine’s 40 Under 40, Class of 2026
Congratulations to SCIS's inspiring alumni for making the Drexel Magazine 40 Under 40 Class of 2026: Anush Lingamoorthy (30), MS machine learning and AI '23; Jedidiah Weller (37), BS computer science ’12 and William Deck (38), MS computer science ’10. This year’s honorees exemplify the power of a Drexel University education — combining innovation, access and real-world experience to lead across industries and communities.
SCIS Alumna Recognized as New Jersey Librarian of the Year
SCIS alumna Tanya Finney Estrada, BS Information Systems and Technology '05, MS Library and Information Science '07, received the Librarian of the Year Award from the New Jersey Library Association earlier this year. Finney Estrada, recognized for her leadership as director of the Pennsauken Free Public Library, discussed the award and her Drexel education in an interview with SCIS.
SCIS Alumnus Wins ALA I Love My Librarian Award
The American Library Association has named alumnus Zachary Stier, MS library and information science ’11, one of this year’s 10 recipients of ALA’s I Love My Librarian Award. Stier is director of children’s services at Ericson Public Library in Boone, Iowa. Honorees are exceptional librarians from academic, public, and school libraries who were nominated by community members for their expertise, dedication and profound impact on the people in their communities.
Faculty Distinction
Ali Shokoufandeh, PhD, and Dario Salvucci, PhD
The Christian Science Monitor Covers SCIS AI Immersion Day, Quotes Drs. Shokoufandeh and Salvucci
The Christian Science Monitor sent a reporter to see SCIS’s inaugural AI Immersion Day unfold in April. Both Interim Dean and Distinguished University Professor Ali Shokoufandeh, PhD and Interim Associate Dean of Academic Operation and Professor Dario Salvucci, PhD were quoted in the resulting overview of AI’s expansion within higher ed., including new undergraduate degrees such as the SCIS BS in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.
SCIS Professor Shares AI Expertise with National Media
Pragati Awasthi, assistant teaching professor of information science at SCIS, wrote an article recently for nonprofit news website The Conversation. In the May 26 column, Awasthi discusses the AI technology credit card companies use to spot fraudulent transactions and what users can do if a transaction has been inaccurately declined. In addition, Forbes quoted Awasthi in a May 24 story about how to fact-check responses provided by AI programs.
Community Impact
Students Give Back to Philadelphia
A team poses together at Philly Codefest 2026.
To help Philadelphia communities with various challenges, Philly Codefest attendees submitted 78 projects aligned with the theme “Building AI for Philly’s Future.” SCIS hosted the event April 11-12 and together with event sponsors awarded more than $12,250 in prizes to winning teams, whose projects included solutions for navigating city services, tracking transportation, matching students with scholarships, and expanding technology access.
Greeva Yava
Along similar lines, an SCIS undergraduate brought a Drexel summer camp together with a faculty research team to expand tech access for Philadelphia youngsters with a Dance, Design, and Code (DDC) program. The undergrad, SCIS computer science student Greeva Yava, and SCIS Associate Professor and DDC co-founder Michelle L. Rogers, PhD shared their perspectives with SCIS recently.
School Updates
Capstone and Senior Projects Recap
A Senior Project team at the 2026 Showcase.
As the culminating enterprise across all SCIS programs, capstone and senior projects provide students with a platform to demonstrate the expertise developed during their studies. This emphasis on applied learning was on display last month, when Drexel University’s School of Computer and Information Sciences hosted its annual Senior Project Showcase, highlighting the creativity, technical skill and collaborative spirit of its graduating students. MS in Library and Information Science student Lore Lawlor also highlighted his Drexel capstone as part of a broader discussion on his MS program’s opportunities.
Commencement and New Beginnings
Class of 2026 graduates at Commencement.
In the spring season, SCIS both welcomed new students and launched its last class graduating under the College of Computing & Informatics name.
In April, more than 40 attendees began their Drexel journey with a visit to SCIS during its inaugural Drexel AI Immersion Day, a one-day, hands-on experience designed for incoming and prospective undergraduate students and their families.
Then, the Class of 2026 celebrated Commencement at the Highmark Mann center on June 10 with remarks from Chris Cera, computer science BS '01, MS '04. The University-wide ceremony at Citizens Bank Park followed on June 11, where attendees heard from keynote speaker Dr. Moogega “Moo” Cooper, a Drexel alumna and NASA’s Mars Rover lead, among others. Congratulations to all our graduates!