About the School of Computing

About the School of Computing

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Background:

The School of Computing at the University of Wyoming was approved by the Board of Trustees in January 2022 after a year of planning that involved input and discussions among broad stakeholders. In March 2022, Dr. Gabrielle Allen was appointed as the inaugural Director, and in May 2022 the School was provided with initial office space in the Bureau of Mines. Startup funding particularly for activities that impact economic development was provided by a $1.15M award from the Wyoming Innovation Partnership. Initial core funding for FY23 was approved in the May 2022 Board of Trustees meeting.  

The school is initially being incubated in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, with plans to become an independent unit on a 3–5-year timescale. Within the College, the School has access to effective and immediate support for business operations, academic programming and other essential support during its startup phase.  

The School of Computing has a mission to collaborate with and impact all units and disciplines at the University of Wyoming and will be developing appropriate partnerships. Important partners within the University include the Advanced Research Computing Center, Science Initiative, Tier 1 Engineering Initiative and the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. The focus on broad engagement extends to external partners, including K-12 schools, community colleges, industry, community partners, national laboratories, and NCAR. Other important partners include the Wyoming Innovation Partnership, and units providing computing services and infrastructure such as ARCC, 3D visualization center, WyGISC, NSF EPSCOR, NIH INBRE.  

Vision:

Create a unique and inspirational School of Computing with national impact and global reach, providing Wyoming and the world with agile and ethical computing professionals, empowered to address societal challenges that are inherently interdisciplinary.   

Mission:

Position our land grant institution as: a national leader in computational and digital research, education, and engagement; a computational hub for students, faculty, staff, community, and our industry/state/academic partners; a steward, supporter, and developer of digital skills and computational thinking for all. 

Values:

• Excellence in research, teaching, and engagement 
• Partnership and collaboration 
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion in computing 
• Context-based experiential learning 
• Computing across disciplines, including social sciences, arts, humanities and STEM 

Programs/Activities:

• Strategic thematic areas 
• Faculty recruitment (Tenure track (predominantly joint) and Adjunct) 
• Student certificates, minor, BS/BA (eventually MS, PhD) 
• Research scientists supporting and driving research and industry engagement 
• Visiting scholars 
• Engagement across UW and with K-12, community colleges, national labs, industry, donors 
• Advancing the use and scope of computing infrastructure 
• Undergraduate computing scholars 
• Graduate research assistants 
• Student internships 

Outcomes:

• Increase UW’s ability to address grand challenge problems of importance to Wyoming 
• Better prepare students for future careers, including students from diverse backgrounds and across disciplines 
• Grow the student body in computing and data 
• Support the state in building a new, diverse economic sector in technology and computing