Experience Day 2025: Accepted YWCC Students See the Fun Side of Computing

All hard work and no play makes “techies” anxious for more. 244 recently accepted high school seniors and their parents need not worry. Although the Ying Wu College of Computing’s (YWCC) programs are rigorous (that is the reason why they are the most significant generator of tech talent in the NY metro area), the theme for this spring’s Experience Day centered on what is fun and “cool” about the work in the school.

“It’s fun from day one!” proclaimed Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Brook Wu, whose event enhancements for a more engaging experience included faculty and student panels, e-board member introductions from a cavalcade of the many student organizations and clubs, and selected research presentations by some of the college’s leading professors.

“Today, it’s all about you,” said YWCC Dean Jamie Payton. “What is it that drives your interest, and what does that mean for you?” The answer was clear: Access to opportunity.

And there were many “cool” ones to be had during “Minute Madness,” an invitation to meet the club and organizational leaders of ACM (Association for Computing Machinery, WiCS (Women in Computing Society), HACCS (Hispanic Association of Computing College Students), NICC (NJIT Information & Cybersecurity Club), Rocketry Club, K2MFF Radio Club, SIGCHI (Special Interest Group on Computer-Human Interaction),and Robotics Club. However, after fun and games are over, you can still join the Student Senate or visit the Tutoring Center, because, let’s face it, everyone can always use a little extra help.

Interested in AI? There’s a class for that – and Associate Professor Hai Phan, an expert in responsible and trustworthy AI, provided an overview of a new course, DS110, being offered as a computing General Education Requirement (GER) course to students in any of NJIT’s five colleges, regardless of major. AI powers just about everything today, and the course emphasizes YWCC’s concept of AI + (add your industry or discipline).

Assistant Professor Salam Daher, an award-winning specialist in healthcare simulation, supported this by demonstrating her interactive augmented reality simulations for eldercare and wound assessment.

Attendees in rapt attention had many questions for student and faculty panels, from when one can do research, to what prior academic or practical experience might be needed.

We teach it all – you can do it all - from day one.

Some of our best students began in other majors with no previous exposure to computing. NJIT has the resources. All you need is the ambition and passion to let your mind drive your potential.

The college looks forward to helping the day’s attendees explore their passion, innovate invention, and pioneer their future. See you in fall 2025!