Mississippi Valley State University scholar's stars shined the brightest among other STEM students nationwide during the 2023 Association of Computer and Information Science/Engineering Departments at Minority Institutions (ADMI) symposium.
The event was held in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and was themed "Computing for Social Good." The symposium highlighted undergraduate and graduate research interested in computing innovations.
During the event, MVSU students won first and second place in the undergraduate student poster presentation competition.
The first-place winner was MVSU Computer Science major Gbenga Ojo of Nigeria. His presentation was on a Student Services Facilitator. The second-place winner was MVSU Computer Science major Brian Diyaolu of Nigeria. His presentation was on a Business Forecasting Web Application.
In addition, MVSU students won first and third place in the undergraduate student oral presentation competition. The first-place winner was MVSU Computer Science major Javid Ibrahimov of Turkey. His presentation was on Koch Snowflakes simulation using C++ Mixed Programming. The third-place winner was MVSU Computer Science major Shovkat Zeynalli of Turkey. Her presentation was on Social Media's Effects on Students' Lives and Their Academics.
Finally, MVSU students won second and third place in the Computer Science Olympiad.
The second-place team included MVSU Computer Science majors Gbenga Oja of Nigeria; Zadrian Bolden of Indianola, Miss; Chante Ray of Morehead, Miss; and Anthony Nwafor of Nigeria. The third-place team included MVSU Computer Science majors Kexin Jiang of Greenwood, Miss; Ayomide Olasupo of Nigeria; AbdulBaqiv Diyaolu of Nigeria; and Brian Diyaolu of Nigeria.
The students competed in highly competitive events against students from several schools, including Hampton University, Florida A&M University, Jackson State University, Norfolk State University, Morehouse College, and Winston-Salem State University.
The event featured two MVSU graduates, Benjamin Harvey and Alvin McClurkin, who gave powerful speeches that captivated, challenged, and motivated the students to strive for excellence with a purpose.
Dr. Benjamin Harvey, Founder and CEO of AI Squared was the symposium's keynote speaker.
Benjamin shared his journey and motivation behind starting a company that utilizes machine learning and artificial intelligence to solve real problems affecting people's lives.
He emphasized, "Students should get out in front of as many opportunities as possible because when preparation meets opportunity, great things happen."
McClerkin, Co-Founder and Head of Operations for AI Squared was the awards banquet speaker.
Alvin's speech titled "Those who cut mere stones must always imagine Cathedrals" highlighted having or establishing a succession plan.
He outlined key foundational pieces that should be carved into everyone's success plan. McClerkin's final message to the students was that "most of the things you don't want to do are usually the things that you need to do," he said.
ADMI was founded in August 1989 and established as a national organization dedicated to exploring and providing remedies to the educational issues in computer/information science and computer engineering that confront minority higher education institutions.
To learn more about ADMI, visit www.admiusa.org.
For more information about programs offered in MVSU's Mathematics, Computer, and Information Sciences (MCIS) department, call (662) 254-3422 or visit www.mvsu.edu.