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Alumni Engagement Meeting with Math and Computer Science Alumni

The Department of Computing, Information and Mathematical Sciences, and Technology (CIMST) at ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ (¾«¶«Ó°Òµ) hosted a successful alumni engagement meeting on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, bringing together alumni, current students, faculty members, and community college partners for meaningful discussions about the future of mathematics, computer science, and workforce development.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Mohammad Abdus Salam, Chairman of the CIMST Department; Dr. Daniel Hrozencik; Dr. Saifuddin Saif; Dr. Hope Essian from Malcolm X College; Kaife Abedin from Olive-Harvey College; Cody Wurzelbacher; Carnice Jefferson (Registrar’s Office-¾«¶«Ó°Òµ); Melvin Miller (MATH faculty-¾«¶«Ó°Òµ); Wasiu Adedamola (Provost’s Office - ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ); Asim Gasmelseid (CS graduate student), and Maleck Johnson (¾«¶«Ó°Òµ undergraduate student).

Dr. Mohammad Abdus Salam opened the meeting by welcoming the participants and expressing appreciation for their continued connection and support for the department. He provided updates regarding recent developments within CIMST, including faculty transitions, upcoming retirements, and ongoing efforts to recruit new faculty members to support the department’s continued growth.

During the meeting, Dr. Salam also shared encouraging news regarding increased student enrollment at ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ, with additional growth anticipated for the Fall 2026 semester. He highlighted several recent updates to departmental academic programs, student engagement initiatives, and activities designed to strengthen student success and career readiness.

Dr. Daniel Hrozencik informed attendees about the exciting launch of ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ football beginning in Fall 2026 and discussed opportunities for alumni and students to attend games together and participate in future community-building events. He also addressed the status of Illinois higher education funding legislation, including HB 1581 and SB 13, currently under consideration in Springfield. Attendees were encouraged to support advocacy efforts by contacting legislators regarding the importance of public university funding.

A major focus of the meeting centered on the growing impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in higher education and industry. Participants engaged in thoughtful discussions regarding how AI technologies are transforming the workplace and explored ways ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ can better prepare graduates for careers in an increasingly AI-driven environment. Alumni and industry representatives shared valuable perspectives on current workforce expectations, emerging technologies, and the skills students need to remain competitive in today’s job market.

Constructive feedback and recommendations were also provided to the department regarding curriculum enhancement, career preparation, industry engagement, and strategies to further strengthen graduates’ readiness for employment and graduate studies.

The meeting reflected CIMST’s strong commitment to alumni engagement, continuous improvement, and collaboration with community and industry partners. The department plans to continue these important conversations during a follow-up meeting scheduled for Fall 2026.

Individuals interested in participating in future alumni engagement activities are encouraged to contact Dr. Mohammad Abdus Salam at msalam@csu.edu.