Case Study: Engaging the Campus Community to Create an on Campus Hackathon

Thomas Rossi; Shivanjali Khare; Angelina Casiano

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Conference: 2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Publication Date: June 22, 2025
Start Date: June 22, 2025
End Date: August 15, 2025
Conference Session: Diversity, Inclusion, and Representation in STEM
Tagged Division: Community Engagement Division (COMMENG)
Page Count: 7
DOI: 10.18260/1-2--56064
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/56064
Download Count: 1

Paper Authors

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Thomas Rossi University of New Haven

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Thomas Rossi is the Assistant Chair of the University of New Haven's Electrical and Computer Engineering and Computer Science department. His research focuses on improving the post-secondary experience for students through the use of current computing tools and technologies. Thomas graduated with his MS in Computer Science from the University of New Hampshire in 2016. He has previously worked at the Rochester Institute of Technology and at Penn State Erie, the Behrend College.

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Shivanjali Khare University of New Haven orcid.org/0000-0002-3764-2360

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I am an Assistant Professor in Computer Science department. My primary research interest is on the development of systems based on learning and the applications of cryptography to empower and protect users in this tech era. I am also intrigued to research new areas of computer science to maximize business, technology, and societal impact. I teach courses like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Mining.

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Angelina Casiano University of New Haven

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Abstract

In recent years, hackathons have gained significant prominence as a platform for students to gain real-world experience in computer science. However, not all university campuses offer equal opportunities for students to participate in such events, leading to disparities in practical exposure. For instance, students at our own undergraduate and graduate degree institution have not been organized to attend hackathons. These events foster a unique blend of creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork, which are fundamental skills in the tech industry today.

This paper presents a case study aimed at addressing this issue by creating a hackathon on our campus. While the effort was initiated by faculty members, the goal was to have the event be student driven with the faculty providing support and oversight. This paper will discuss how the student community was engaged in organizing the event and created four working groups (logistics, operations, finance, and marketing) to accomplish the monumental task of creating a hackathon in a twelve-month span of time. This paper will additionally discuss the various offices and groups that were engaged as part of making this effort possible. We will then conclude by discussing the student learning outcomes of organizing this event.

By sharing our experiences and insights in this study, we aim to empower educators and students to create hackathons on their campuses, enriching student learning through hands-on experience, collaboration, and engagement with the broader tech community. Through this case study, we also aim to provide insights into the practical challenges and successes of creating this type of event on our campus.

Citation
Format

Rossi, T., & Khare, S., & Casiano, A. (2025, June), Case Study: Engaging the Campus Community to Create an on Campus Hackathon Paper presented at 2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition , Montreal, Quebec, Canada . 10.18260/1-2--56064