University of Cincinnati College of Engineering and Applied Science | 2025 Dean's Report - Flipbook - Page 34
EMPOWERING CS STUDENTS THROUGH ACADEMIC,
FINANCIAL, AND SOCIAL SUPPORT
Professor Justin Zhan, head of UC’s
Engineering and Applied Science, with
Department of Computer Science, is
a focus on boosting retention and
leveraging a National Science Foundation
graduation rates among participants.
grant to establish the Southwest Ohio
UC PARTNERS WITH LEADING
AEROSPACE RESEARCH
COMPANY TO EXPAND AI
CAPABILITIES
The University of Cincinnati signed a
research agreement to work with Thales,
one of the world’s leading aerospace
Scholars Program, a transformative
By fostering a strong sense of belonging
scholarship initiative at UC. Designed to
and actively engaging students’ families
provide academic, 昀椀nancial, and social
in their educational journey, the program
support, the program aims to help students
aspires to cultivate a new generation of
excel in computer science both at UC and
skilled computer scientists who can meet
in their future careers. Over six years,
Ohio’s growing demand for technology
the program will fund scholarships for
professionals.
36 full-time students in the College of
companies, on national defense, space
exploration, and aeronautics. Thales will
share its AI, which uses fuzzy logic to
make critical decisions.
OHIO CYBER RANGE INSTITUTE ADVANCES
CYBERSECURITY ACROSS THE STATE
UC engineering alumnus and Thales
engineer, Nick Ernest ‘11, ‘12, ‘15, created
sophisticated AI that has been used
to outmaneuver 昀椀ghter pilots in simulations
IECE
STUDENTS
as well EMPOWERS
as help doctors identify
bipolar
THROUGH
ACCESS,
disorder from brain
scans. This partnership
holds potential for AND
applications
well beyond
RETENTION
COMMUNIdrones
and
autonomous
vehicles,
in industries
TY
T
ranging from transportation to medicine.
The CEAS Office of Inclusive Excellence
A key aspect of the AI work Thales is doing
and Community Engagement (IECE)
is its emphasis on developing systems that
is dedicated to supporting pre-collegiate
are explainable, ethical, and transparent.
and collegiate scholars through a compBuilding on a long and innovative history
rehensive approach. By partnering with
in the aerospace industry, the partnership
internal and external organizations, IECE
with Thales is the next step UC is taking
staff provide support through high school
towards advancing the implementation
access programs, college student retention,
of AI.
academic success, and professional develop-
the state. Ohio is investing $6.5 million to help the institute purchase new equipment
he Ohio Department of Higher Education bolstered support of the Ohio Cyber
Range Institute, a collaborative network that supports cybersecurity programs across
Ohio. The institute’s goal is to advance an integrated approach to cybersecurity education,
workforce, and economic development in cyber-related fields throughout
and expand training. Marc Cahay, professor and head of UC’s Department of Electrical
and Computer Engineering, is overseeing the grant, along with institute director Rebekah
Michael and Cahay’s fellow co-directors, Richard Harknett and Hazem Said. Ohio Cyber
Range Institute is an interdisciplinary partnership among UC’s School of
Information Technology, School of Public and International Affairs, and the Department
of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
In 2023, the White House highlighted the institute’s success in helping to
build a cyber workforce that meets the challenges of the digital age. The
Ohio Cyber Range Institute has supported more than 20,000 users through
more than 300 K-12 classes, nearly 700 higher education courses,and
delivering 100-plus cyber camps, exercises, and bootcamps.
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DEAN’S REPORT
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