Jaye Nias is a native of Buffalo, NY who earned her bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. After working for several years with Computer Science students in the Model Instructions for Excellence Initiative, Jaye decided to return to school to pursue her Master and Doctorate in Computer Science. She earned her degree from Bowie State University completing her dissertation in the area of Human Computer Interactions, mobile gestures and culturally relevant technologies. Currently, Dr. Nias is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Spelman College in Atlanta, GA where her research focus is in the field of data visualization and computer science education. She is the director of the BRAVE I.D.E.A.S. lab. Her current research explores various applications of computational methods to promote cultural diversity and societal inclusion. She serves as a Visiting Data Science Fellow with XSEDE Advanced Computing for Social Change. She is working to establish a network of faculty, the ACSC Community Development Fellows Program. This initiative is driving social innovation through academic and community-driven pedagogy through this partnership.In addition to her scholastic pursuits, Jaye is also a loving mother to two beautiful children and a brilliant movement and visual artist.