Congratulations to:
– : Graduate Student in Accountancy and Data Analytics, COB Student Ambassador, Awarded Academic Achievement Award
– : Accounting Major, Awarded Bear Spirit Award
– Kierra Collier: Marketing Major, COB Student Ambassador
– : Information Systems Major, Awarded Third Runner Up, Producers Award, Miss Congeniality, Overall Evening Gown Award, and People’s Choice Award

Celebrating its 11th year, WECode welcomed 850+ students, making it the largest student-run tech conference in the world! With a mission to uplift, inspire, and educate young women in tech, the conference creates a powerful space where future leaders work to bridge the gender gap and drive meaningful change in the industry.

The O’Malley School of Business hosts the for undergraduate students studying Business Analytics or related fields to test their knowledge and hone their skills. Competing teams engage in decision-making as well as practice their ability to draw business insight from a comprehensive analysis of relevant data.

The group arrived at the Manhattan College campus on Monday, May 20, to begin the first phase of the competition. That afternoon, students presented their poster multiple times to a revolving set of judges. Tuesday morning marked the beginning of the second phase of the competition, when they were given an additional analysis to perform using the same dataset, challenged to submit their results as a slide deck before 9pm that evening for the next day’s presentation. On Wednesday morning, they presented their Phase 2 results to industry judges.

This excellent opportunity gives students a wealth of practical business knowledge and feedback before the enter the workforce. The students on the team included:

• Houston Baber – May 2024 graduate, BS Cybersecurity Management
• Abby Bounds – Senior BS Information Systems major
• Linda Galeano Midence – Senior BBA Finance major/Data Analytics minor
• Ben Scallion – May 2024 graduate, BBA Computer Information Systems

Mrs. Susan Shaw, Lecturer of CISA, was the primary faculty advisor and led the project course in spring 2024, and Dr. Mike Ellis,ÌýAssociate Professor of CISA, served as co-advisor. Both mentored the students and accompanied them to Manhattan for the competition.

Related: CISA Lecturer Susan Shaw Offers Data Project Course in Spring 2024, Plans to Take Students to Competition Again

Abby Bounds, a junior Computer Information Systems and Analytics (CISA) major and the President of Girls Who Code, was presented with the Outstanding Community Outreach by a Student at the 2024 51ÇàÂ¥ Student Involvement Awards on Thursday, April 25.

This award is presented to a student who prioritizes volunteerism and service to UCA and the local community. It is given to a student who has made an impact within an organization by leading with courage and being a positive role model to others.

Talley, Bounds, and Shaw

Bounds is pictured here with the two faculty who recommended her for the award, COB Lecturer Susan Shaw and CNSM Lecturer Michelle Talley, both of whom advise the student group Girls Who Code.

“What truly sets Abby apart is her proactive approach to extracurricular involvement,” said Talley in her recommendation letter. “The success of the Girls Who Code club, earning the ‘New RSO of the Year’ award in 2023, is the result of Abby’s tireless energy and unwavering enthusiasm.”

Citing Bounds’ efforts as a student, RSO leader, and student worker, Shaw echoed Talley’s comments about Girls Who Code. She also reported about Bounds’ leadership at the annual IT Careers Camp for High School Students that Shaw organizes.

“She was an integral part of the camp, helping to plan, coordinate, teach classes, and serve as a mentor for the high school students,” said Shaw.

To name a few of her involvements and accomplishments, Abby Bounds served as:

• Founder, Former Vice-President, and President of Girls Who Code, named UCA’s 2023 “New RSO of the Year”
• Active member and officer of the Computer Science Club for 2 years
• Active member of the Robotics club
• Speaker at the Arkansas State FBLA Conference for High School Students
• Computer Information Systems IT Career Camp mentor and instructor
• Student worker for the Arkansas Coding Academy
• Guest instructor in Camden, AR to teach Harmony Grove’s robotics class for a day
• A helpful peer in classes

Speaking of the impact of her experiences, Bounds said, “Growing up, I had very little exposure to anything STEM-related. I never thought I could make it into a related field because I thought I did not have the power to learn the necessary skills. That’s why these opportunities are what I love most because I get to reach more rural areas and leave a personal impact that state-wide and nationwide programs aren’t always able to reach.”

At the Girls Who Code booth led by President Abby Bounds, the members taught about the significance of how rubber ducks help programmers when they get stuck writing their code. They let children decorate a duck at a table and created bracelets that spelled BEARS written in binary code. The Girls Who Code booth was a huge success, and we had over 700 visitors from 30 states visit the table.

Also Abby Bray completed her final independent study Data Science project. She presented her project at the event and even created an app where visitors could learn more about UCA and Conway and go on a scavenger hunt.

April 8 was quite a memorable day!

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