As we begin spring quarter, I’m pleased to share the latest edition of the Computer Science and Software Engineering Department newsletter. The stories featured here reflect a department shaped by curiosity, service and a willingness to take on meaningful work.
The issue’s main story highlights Hack4Impact, a student-run club that puts computing skills to work for nonprofit partners. In collaboration with Kids First Initiative, students built online science games along with the digital framework needed to support them. It is a strong example of what makes CSSE distinctive: students applying what they know in ways that are thoughtful and genuinely useful to others.
You will also read about students who attended the Grace Hopper Celebration in Chicago. Their experience offered more than professional networking. It gave them a chance to see themselves within a broader computing landscape and to return with fresh perspective as they continue their work at Cal Poly.
That same sense of discovery runs through our story on the study abroad program in Granada, Spain. By connecting computing with culture and place, the program invites students to expand their understanding of the field and the world it shapes.
This edition also recognizes the accomplishments of our students and faculty. We are proud to celebrate computer science student Nidhi Raviprasad, who received the Outstanding Women in Engineering Award for her leadership and impact within the Cal Poly campus community. You will also find highlights from recent faculty research, showcasing work that continues to push into new questions and new applications.
Thank you for being part of the CSSE community. Your support helps create opportunities for students to grow and explore where their education can lead. I hope you will consider making a gift to the Computer Science and Software Engineering Department. Donations of any size help strengthen the student experience and support the work that makes this department so special.
