Beckley, W.Va. (WVDN) — Starting next summer, high school students selected for the Governor’s Computer Science Institute (GCSI) will be coding, programming, and developing AI on WVU Tech’s campus.
The West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) will collaborate with Kenan Hatipoglu, Ph.D. and Ranjith Munasinghe, Ph.D. to bring 9th and 10th graders from across the state to Tech’s campus to learn about computer science, programming drones, building applications, and more to solve real-world problems.
For three summers, these students will not only code and create but live on campus, work alongside faculty, and gain a glimpse of life as a future Golden Bear and college student.
Dustin Lambert, West Virginia Governor’s Schools Coordinator with the WVDE, says the review committee was impressed with Tech’s vision for GCSI.
“The West Virginia Department of Education is excited to partner with WVU Tech for the Governor’s Computer Science Institute (GCSI). The grant proposal submitted by the institution was well received by the review committee, and we are pleased with the plans the deans have for the computer science curriculum. Our high school students will gain deeper knowledge as they explore drone programming, application development, artificial intelligence instruction, and more. We have full confidence this fun and engaging summer residential program will showcase the energy and expertise of the WVU Tech community,” Lambert says.
Faculty and staff are also excited to showcase what Tech has to offer.
“Tech has educated computer science professionals for more than fifty years. Building on that legacy, we are expanding our impact to the Governor’s Computer Science Institute to help ensure that West Virginia continues to have a robust pipeline of programmers, data scientists, cybersecurity experts, and artificial intelligence professionals,” says Tamara Floyd Smith, Ph.D., Vice President of Academic Affairs at WVU Tech.
President T. Ramon Stuart, Ph.D., echoes Floyd Smith’s sentiment.
“With GCSI on our campus, we’re investing in the next generation of West Virginia students who want to be leaders and innovators in cybersecurity, AI, and beyond. And, when they’re ready for college, we want them to see WVU Tech as the place where their journey can continue,” says Stuart.
The first class of GCSI students will live and learn on WVU Tech’s campus starting in the summer of 2026.
