Computer science experts are needed now more than ever. For students looking at job opportunities, it is easy to see why such a career would be a desirable option. For students like Daigeona “Dee” Guinn and Kyle Percer, it is a career path that would ensure job stability, job security, creativity, flexibility and a high-paying salary. It is also something they have both really enjoyed, especially with the Computer Science and Engineering Department at Faulkner University.
A transfer student from Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, Guinn is now a women’s basketball player at Faulkner and was most impressed by the university’s Computer Science and Engineering department.
“I’ve really enjoyed the program here and Mike Herridge, our department chair, is a great leader. He’s done a lot to build the program into what it is today,” Guinn said. “I’m excited to see what Faulkner’s computer science department is going to turn into as they grow. It would be cool to see us host ‘Hack-a-thons,’ elite coding sessions, seminars and more in the way of computer engineering when that launches.”
Guinn, originally from Michigan, grew up in Huntsville, Alabama. Before coming to Montgomery, she was studying at Fisk, but decided she needed a different environment to finish out her college studies.
“My mom encouraged me to keep playing basketball and Faulkner reached out and invited me to tour the campus,” Guinn said. “I liked the facilities and I had played against Faulkner before so I knew about the school. What I liked was that as a Christian university, it holds itself to a Godly standard among its faculty and coaches. My coach, Reed Sutton, is just a really nice guy, and I like how he’s also very passionate about the sport. He has a good mix of nice and galvanizing you into action.”
She also appreciates how Sutton instills faith-based truths into his players. As a group, they will split into small-group Bible studies on Fridays, talk about mental health, their faith and their word for the week. That particular week, the word was “authenticity.”
She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science and really enjoys data management. Last summer she was able to work for Arch Reinsurance and hopes to continue working in a similar capacity after graduation. Eventually her goal is to work for Meta or have her own business.
“Computer science is a trending career right now that’s only rising in the job market. Wherever you go, you need computer science,” Guinn said.
After graduation, Guinn looks to earn her Master’s in Business Management and gain industry experience by working for a company the first couple of years. Ideally, that would be with Google, Meta or Apple, she said. Then, eventually she would like to pursue her own interests combining her computer science and business degrees by building websites or applications or working with AI.
For senior Kyle Percer, Faulkner University was on his radar early on after hearing about the school from alumni who attended his church.
“Once I started getting closer to graduating from high school, Faulkner came up in a lot more conversations. The people I talked to had a lot of great things to say about Faulkner which piqued my interest,” Percer said. He’s been with Faulkner since 2020 when he enrolled as a freshman.
“What I like about Faulkner is it’s a private Christian school that genuinely encourages spiritual growth. The small classes allow me to ask questions and conversate with my professors,” he said. “Faulkner has a nice open campus that is rapidly expanding. The students are valued and our voices are heard. All of these things were compelling to me and ultimately, I decided that my faith was my priority. It was very clear that Faulkner would help me learn and grow spiritually, and that there were people here to support me.”
When Percer first enrolled, he knew very little about computer science and programming. After doing some research on the field, it became a career path that intrigued him the most.
“I decided that I would take a chance and sign up for a programming class my freshman year, and I loved it! Everything we did just clicked for me and I truly had fun learning,” said Percer, who is set to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science with a minor in Biblical Studies.
“Computer Science is becoming more and more significant in this digital age. This means that the field is constantly growing and there are a lot of resources available to learn more about this field. It is something I really enjoy doing and I can use what I know in my free time,” he added.
Since coming in 2020, Faulkner’s computer science and engineering department has grown significantly. From one dedicated classroom to an entire suite of classrooms, labs, offices and leisure space, computer science students have a place to call their own. Student numbers are on the rise and Faulkner is expanding its program to fit their needs.
The department’s growth is just one aspect of Faulkner’s program that Percer appreciates.
“The professors in every department at Faulkner are outstanding. They bring a lot of experience with them and they love sharing that experience through the material they teach. The variety of CS courses offered prepare you for anything you may come across in your field. With the knowledge and experience I have acquired at Faulkner, any goal I have is within reach,” Percer said. “The professors that are currently in the CS department have elevated the department to where it is today. I am super excited to see what it becomes. I have really enjoyed being a part of its growth the past four years and any student that joins this department contributes to that.”