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This summer, an inaugural cohort of 34 community college students participated in a unique program focused on data science and AI education at UC Santa Cruz.
Organized by Assistant Teaching Professor of Computer Science and Engineering Sagnik Nath, the program was designed to empower students from communities underrepresented in tech with skills in highly relevant areas and motivate their advancement in higher education and STEM careers.
“The strength of community colleges lies in their ability to bring together students from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds, offering a vital entry point to higher education,” Nath said. “Through this program, we aimed to motivate these students to pursue their academic journey at four-year universities, equipping them with the skills and confidence needed for that next step. It’s essential that they gain a clear perspective on what a university-level course entails, so they are well-prepared for the transfer process.”
Running from July 1-16, the program combined rigorous academic instruction with hands-on Python-based AI model learning. There was a strong emphasis on real-world applications of AI and data science, and overcoming biases in these fields.
“Throughout the program, we had access to coding snippets and learning algorithms,” said Laiona Duncan, a student at West Valley Mission College. “It was interesting to see how these code snippets were created, as well as step by step explanations of what was happening. As someone with a coding background, it helped me bridge the gap between subjects I was familiar with — Python and Linear Algebra — and subjects I wasn’t – machine learning.”
“Data Science, as a discipline, is uniquely positioned to attract students from various STEM backgrounds, which made this program an excellent opportunity to introduce them to a field that bridges multiple domains,” Nath said. “While many data science bootcamps emphasize project-based learning through coding in Python, we took a more comprehensive approach. Alongside practical coding exercises in machine learning and statistics, we provided a solid theoretical foundation, allowing students to appreciate the mathematical concepts behind the algorithms and tools they used. This dual focus ensures they not only apply these concepts but understand the core principles driving them.”
In addition to the academic work, Sabarna Choudhuri, a prominent data scientist from Amazon, spoke to the students as a guest speaker, providing insights into data science as a career.
The cohort of students was chosen from more than 285 applicants, and the program’s leaders, which included Baskin Engineering Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Marcella Gomez, focused on building a sense of community and self-efficacy among the students. The students learned about pathways to transferring to four-year institutions and were encouraged to do so. Each participant received a $500 stipend for their participation in the program.
“This program was a unique opportunity for me as well,” Nath said. “I had the privilege of interacting with many incredible students from diverse community colleges and backgrounds, and I was truly inspired by their determination to continue their higher education, aiming not just for a bachelor’s degree but even beyond. I’m grateful to UCSC for giving me the chance to engage with such a wide range of experiences and aspirations.”