ITTA BENA, Miss. — Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) students earned top honors at the 2025 Association of Computer and Information Science/Engineering Departments at Minority Institutions (ADMI) Symposium, held March 27–30 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
This year’s symposium, “Enhancing AI Capacity at Minority-Serving Institutions,” brought together undergraduate and graduate students nationwide to present innovative research and compete in various challenges centered on artificial intelligence.
MVSU senior Anthony Nwafor captured first place in the Undergraduate Poster Presentation Competition for his research titled, “Bridging the Gap: An Alumni, Student, and Professor's Engagement Platform for Career Opportunities.”
In the Code-a-Thon Competition, MVSU students Madison Conley, Sofiyah Afolabi, Ayomide Olasupo, and Anthony Nwafor placed third overall. The team was tasked with developing an AI-based solution to a campus-related issue.
Participants represented several historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), including Hampton University, Spelman College, Norfolk State University, and Morehouse College.
Throughout the event, keynote speakers emphasized the critical importance of diverse voices in the evolution of AI. One speaker best captured the message: “If you don’t have a seat at the table, then you are on the menu.”
A highlight of the symposium was a tribute to Dr. Evelyn Boyd Granville, the first Black woman to earn a Ph.D. in mathematics. Dr. Johnny Houston of Elizabeth City State University's presentation honored her trailblazing legacy in computer science.
Mississippi Valley State University students Madison Conley, Sofiyah Afolabi, Ayomide Olasupo, and Anthony Nwafor earned third place in the Code-a-Thon Competition at the 2025 ADMI Symposium in Charlotte, N.C., for developing an AI-based campus solution.
Founded in 1989, ADMI supports advancing computer and information science programs at minority institutions and fosters opportunities for underrepresented students.
For more information about MVSU’s Department of Mathematics, Computer and Information Sciences, call (662) 254-3422 or visit www.mvsu.edu. Learn more about ADMI at www.admiusa.org.
