Howard University Students Win Inaugural Microsoft AI Policython
October 16, 2025, The Dig - "During the 2025 Congressional Black Caucus Week on Capitol Hill, the Truth and Service Solutions Inc. team of Howard students demonstrated what makes the university “one of one” as they took first place at the inaugural Microsoft AI Policython."
"'I hope students leave the experience with a deeper appreciation for how policy and innovation intersect in shaping the future of artificial intelligence,' Washington said in the release. 'Beyond the competition, I want them to have agency and see themselves as leaders in responsible AI technology and policy innovation. My goal is for them to build both confidence and capacity to create AI technology that makes our world a better place.'"
Read more at: https://afrotech.com/howard-university-microsoft-ai-policython
Also see AFROTECH at: https://afrotech.com/howard-university-microsoft-ai-policython
"'I hope students leave the experience with a deeper appreciation for how policy and innovation intersect in shaping the future of artificial intelligence,' Washington said in the release. 'Beyond the competition, I want them to have agency and see themselves as leaders in responsible AI technology and policy innovation. My goal is for them to build both confidence and capacity to create AI technology that makes our world a better place.'"
Read more at: https://afrotech.com/howard-university-microsoft-ai-policython
Also see AFROTECH at: https://afrotech.com/howard-university-microsoft-ai-policython
Howard Celebrates Dr. Elbert Cox, the First Black Math Ph.D.
September 30, 2025, The Dig - "100 years ago to the day, [Dr. Elbert Frank Cox] became the first Black person in the world to hold a Ph.D. in mathematics, earning the degree from Cornell University in 1925. To celebrate this historic occasion, Washington organized the 'Cox Centennial Celebration of 100 Years of Black Ph.D. Mathematicians,' which brought together mathematicians from across the country to celebrate Cox’s legacy and lasting impact on the field."
Find the full program here.
Read more at: https://thedig.howard.edu/all-stories/one-one-faculty-howard-celebrates-former-math-dept-head-dr-elbert-cox-first-black-math-phd-and-100
Find the full program here.
Read more at: https://thedig.howard.edu/all-stories/one-one-faculty-howard-celebrates-former-math-dept-head-dr-elbert-cox-first-black-math-phd-and-100
September 17, 2025, The Dig - “Dr. Talitha Washington, executive director of Howard’s Center for Applied Data Science and Analytics, is the principal investigator of the project, 'Research Coordination Network on Assessing and Predicting Job Outcomes in AI,' a new initiative aimed at analyzing the evolving AI job landscape. The two-year project, which is funded by a nearly $500,000 grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation, will involve establishing a national Research Coordination Network (RCN) that brings together key stakeholders across varying sectors, disciplines, and organizations to better classify trends in the AI job market.
Read more at: https://thedig.howard.edu/all-stories/howard-university-researcher-investigates-future-ai-jobs-nsf-funded-project
Read more at: https://thedig.howard.edu/all-stories/howard-university-researcher-investigates-future-ai-jobs-nsf-funded-project
April 6, 2025 The Dig - “Bringing industry-aligned AI curriculum to faculty through hands-on, intensive training will help us even better prepare students with the skills employers need now,” said Talitha Washington, Ph.D., executive director for the Howard University Center for Applied Data Science and Analytics. “As educators, we continually seek new ways to prepare our students to be leaders, especially in today’s rapidly evolving AI-driven workforce.”
Read more at: https://thedig.howard.edu/all-stories/howard-university-collaborating-amazon-web-services-advance-ai-learning-across-higher-education
Read more at: https://thedig.howard.edu/all-stories/howard-university-collaborating-amazon-web-services-advance-ai-learning-across-higher-education
Winter/Spring 2025 Howard Magazine - "As data drives the future of innovation, Howard researcher Talitha Washington, Ph.D., is working to make sure that everyone has a voice in the evolving landscape. She has made a crusade of ushering talent from all communities into data science and artificial intelligence (AI), including students, faculty, and professionals from all communities. As part of the current leg of her already storied career journey, Washington leads Howard’s Center for Applied Data Science and Analytics and is co-chair of the AI Advisory Council. In particular, she is actively supporting researchers at all levels to embrace interdisciplinary approaches to addressing economic challenges, health disparities, social issues, and environmental concerns using statistical methods, algorithms, and computing systems to glean insight from large amounts of data. She is also Howard’s Sean McCleese Endowed Chair in Computer Science, Race, and Social Justice."
Read more at: https://magazine.howard.edu/issues/howard-magazine-winterspring-2025
Read more at: https://magazine.howard.edu/issues/howard-magazine-winterspring-2025
Washington Named Executive Director of Howard University CADSA
|
January 15, 2025, The Dig – "The Howard University Center for Applied Data Science and Analytics [CADSA] has named Talitha Washington, Ph.D., as its new executive director."
"'In these new roles at Howard University, I am honored to lead efforts in advancing data science, analytics, and artificial intelligence to tackle complex global problems, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and create impactful experiential opportunities that drive the university’s mission of excellence, innovation, and service forward through the power of data,' said Washington." Read more at: https://thedig.howard.edu/all-stories/talitha-washington-named-executive-director-howard-university-center-applied-data-science-and |
|
Washington Named to the Census scientific advisory committee
Photo courtesy of the American Mathematical Society
August 15, 2024 (from AMS News) - "The members advise the Census Bureau director on the uses of scientific developments in statistical data collection, survey methodology, geospatial and statistical analysis, econometrics, cognitive psychology, business operations and computer science as they pertain to the full range of Census Bureau programs and activities, including census tests, policies, and operations," according to the Census Bureau.
...
I look forward to sharing my scientific perspectives to help guide surveys and major programs at the Census Bureau,” Washington said. “Serving on the CSAC provides a unique opportunity for me to give back nationally by addressing emerging census challenges that impact us all.”
...
I look forward to sharing my scientific perspectives to help guide surveys and major programs at the Census Bureau,” Washington said. “Serving on the CSAC provides a unique opportunity for me to give back nationally by addressing emerging census challenges that impact us all.”
A $6.5M Partnership Between the AUC Data Science Initiative and Mastercard to Drive National Impact Through Data Science
October 23, 2023 - The partnership with Mastercard advances the AUC Data Science Initiative’s work in building and strengthening data science capacity nationally across HBCUs by expanding industry-informed curriculum, supporting innovation in computer science programs, and building programs supporting student engagement in data science and career development.
Dr. Talitha Washington, Ph.D., Director of the AUC Data Science Initiative, will lead collaboration with other HBCUs to create new innovations in curricula and research. “There is a growing workforce need for data scientists and other professionals who possess data science skills,” said Washington. “Data science impacts everything that we do, and we need all talent at all HBCUs to drive innovations.”
Read more at: https://www.pr.com/press-release/898183
Dr. Talitha Washington, Ph.D., Director of the AUC Data Science Initiative, will lead collaboration with other HBCUs to create new innovations in curricula and research. “There is a growing workforce need for data scientists and other professionals who possess data science skills,” said Washington. “Data science impacts everything that we do, and we need all talent at all HBCUs to drive innovations.”
Read more at: https://www.pr.com/press-release/898183
Washington delivers commencement address and recieves honorary deree
(Bri Diaz/UConn Photo)
Talitha Washington, honorary Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) recipient, delivered the commencement address at the University of Connecticut's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) ceremonies 1 and 2 on May 7, 2023.
She said, "the foundation of knowledge, persistence, and grit that UConn has given you is enough to tackle these hard, complicated problems. You do belong. Outwork everyone. You will go far.”
The full address can be seen here: lnkd.in/gwhhx--D
She said, "the foundation of knowledge, persistence, and grit that UConn has given you is enough to tackle these hard, complicated problems. You do belong. Outwork everyone. You will go far.”
The full address can be seen here: lnkd.in/gwhhx--D
VISIONARY MATHEMATICIAN dR. tALITHA wASHINGTON NAMED 2022 aaas FELLOW
Announced January 31, 2023 - The world’s largest general scientific society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), has elected Dr. Talitha Washington to the 2022 class of AAAS Fellows. Dr. Washington received recognition for “distinguished contributions to diversity in mathematics and the sciences and service to the mathematics profession.”
“At the Atlanta University Center, our faculty lead the way in educating Black students who advance new knowledge, discoveries, and innovations that will impact our world,” said Dr. David A. Thomas, chair of the AUC Council of Presidents and president of Morehouse College. “Dr. Washington is a visionary leader who is bringing transformative change to the national data science landscape for the betterment of our society.”
“At the Atlanta University Center, our faculty lead the way in educating Black students who advance new knowledge, discoveries, and innovations that will impact our world,” said Dr. David A. Thomas, chair of the AUC Council of Presidents and president of Morehouse College. “Dr. Washington is a visionary leader who is bringing transformative change to the national data science landscape for the betterment of our society.”
Talitha Washington, Ph.D., MSM Affiliate Professor and Data Science Leader, Featured in Spelman’s Messenger Magazine
|
Announced February 17, 2023 - Talitha Washington, Ph.D., math professor at Clark Atlanta University, Spelman alumna, and affiliate professor at Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM), is working to bring data science programs to historically Black colleges and universities through the new National Data Science Alliance. Recently, Washington was featured in Spelman’s Messenger magazine.
Read more on the MSM Cardiovascular Research Institute's News. |
Historic $10 Million NSF Grant Establishes the National Data Science Alliance to Expand Data Science at HBCUs
Announced August 2022 - Clark Atlanta University makes history as the first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) to receive a $10 million award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Eddie Bernice Johnson INCLUDES program to establish the U.S. National Science Foundation National Data Science Alliance (NDSA).
Talitha Washington, the lead and principal investigator of the grant, is the mastermind behind the NDSA. As the Director of the Atlanta University Center (AUC) Data Science Initiative and professor of mathematics at Clark Atlanta University, she is passionate about engaging more HBCUs and building a community to accelerate the preparation of students in data science and discover solutions for data-oriented problems that impact the lives of Blacks.
“We are excited that many HBCUs will collaborate with us to develop new equity-based discoveries in data science and expand student pathways that will change the face of data science,” said Washington.
Talitha Washington, the lead and principal investigator of the grant, is the mastermind behind the NDSA. As the Director of the Atlanta University Center (AUC) Data Science Initiative and professor of mathematics at Clark Atlanta University, she is passionate about engaging more HBCUs and building a community to accelerate the preparation of students in data science and discover solutions for data-oriented problems that impact the lives of Blacks.
“We are excited that many HBCUs will collaborate with us to develop new equity-based discoveries in data science and expand student pathways that will change the face of data science,” said Washington.
Elected President of the Association for Women in Mathematics
Announced February 2022 - The AWM is a professional society that encourages women and girls to study and have active careers in the mathematical sciences and promotes equal opportunity and the equal treatment of women and girls in the mathematical sciences.
Washington says, “I am honored to follow in the footsteps of past AWM President Cora Sadowsky, who was a faculty member at my former institution, Howard University.” As the first Black to be AWM President-Elect, her path has been guided by the AWM community. One of her goals is to advocate for broad engagement and participation which strengthens the entire mathematical community and our nation.
See: https://datascience.aucenter.edu/awm_presidentelect_talithawashingon
Washington says, “I am honored to follow in the footsteps of past AWM President Cora Sadowsky, who was a faculty member at my former institution, Howard University.” As the first Black to be AWM President-Elect, her path has been guided by the AWM community. One of her goals is to advocate for broad engagement and participation which strengthens the entire mathematical community and our nation.
See: https://datascience.aucenter.edu/awm_presidentelect_talithawashingon
|
Washington Featured in UCONN Magazine"I’ll find a way or make one.” - Dr. Talitha Washington is the Director of the AUC Data Science Initiative that brings underrepresented voices into the exploding field of data science. Read more about her pathway and trajectory into this arena in UCONN Magazine:
|
NITRD Panel on AI / MLArguably one of the greatest areas of progress in computing research over the last decade has been Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Panel 3: AI/ML, moderated by Liz Bradley (University of Colorado Boulder) with panelists Charles Isbell, Chad Jenkins, Talitha Washington, and Patti Ordóñez Franco celebrated federally funded advances and discussed the challenges new innovations bring with them.
Read more in the Computing Community Consortium Blog and check out the full recording on YouTube. |
|
matlab expo keynote
|
In this MATLAB EXPO keynote seminar, Dr. Washington explores how to develop effective collaborations that lead to educational pathways for all students. It will also show how researchers in the Atlanta University Center are developing new ways to inform the development of AI and data science that minimize racial biases.
|
The Black revolution in data science
Atlanta University Center Data Science Seminar Series, February 12, 2021
Dr. Martin LutHer King, Jr. Celebration
The University of Southern Indiana in Evansville, Indiana hosted Dr. Talitha Washington as the keynote speaker in January 2021.
Washington Featured in The Atlanta voice"The Atlanta University Center Consortium’s (AUCC) Talitha Washington, professor of mathematics at Clark Atlanta University and director of the Atlanta University Center Data Science Initiative, was announced as the first person to ever be named both a 2021 Fellow of the American Mathematical Society (AMS) and a 2021 Fellow of the Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM) in the same year.
The prestigious awards are recognition of Washington’s decades of work using mathematics and science to enable research, foster collaboration among diverse groups, inspire interdisciplinary exploration, and empower women and minorities." See full article HERE. |
|
Appointed as inaugural director of the Auc data science initative
"Following an extensive national search and selection by the presidents of member institutions Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Spelman College, the Atlanta University Center Consortium (AUCC) announces the appointment of noted scholar, author, interdisciplinary researcher, and innovator Talitha M. Washington, Ph.D., as the new director of the AUCC Data Science Initiative...Dr. Washington begins her tenure as director in mid-August" of 2020.
Learn more here.
Learn more here.
Washington Featured in a STEM trading Card |
|
"Mathematician speaks about minorities in STEM"
“Access to leadership, that’s an ongoing challenge,” last night's speaker said. “I think it’s because often times, at least in STEM, people don’t see me as a normal.”https://t.co/4biEI2FLmE
— Purdue Exponent (@purdueexponent) February 19, 2020
Washington SELECTED TO SERVE IN THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION CONVERGENCE ACCELERATOR
|
Washington has been appointed to serve as a program director in the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Convergence Accelerator (C-Accel), a program within NSF to accelerate use-inspired convergence research in areas of national importance via partnerships between academic and non-academic stakeholders.
See: PRESS RELEASE |
|
Washington ReceIves the Beya STEM Innovator AwardWashington received the 2019 BEYA STEM Innovator Award on February 7, 2019 at the Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA) Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Conference in Washington, DC. This award is presented to individuals who have made significant advancements in research at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
|
|
The Math of Mickens Lecture video
|
Dr. Ronald Mickens of Clark Atlanta University wins the 2018 Blackwell-Tapia Prize, awarded at the Blackwell-Tapia Conference at ICERM. This lecture video shares his significant works and contributions to both mathematical research and to the broadening of participation of under-represented groups in mathematics.
|
|
Washington Featured at NOBCChE
Washington gave an invited talk at the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) Conference. The Chemistry and Engineering News article, Diversity in Focus at NOBCChE, features Dr. Washington.
The article states that "Talitha Washington, a professor of mathematics at Howard University, has also been the only black woman in her department throughout most of her career. Washington spoke to NOBCChE attendees about how to be unhidden in their work, a reference to the movie 'Hidden Figures,' which showcased the contributions of black female mathematicians at the National Aeronautics & Space Administration. The advice she laid out for others was based on her experience as a black female professor in a STEM field who raised three children while establishing herself in academia. 'Recognize that racism permeates the scientific fields,' she told the group. 'Undertake difficult conversations cautiously, not assuming people are evil creatures.'"
The article states that "Talitha Washington, a professor of mathematics at Howard University, has also been the only black woman in her department throughout most of her career. Washington spoke to NOBCChE attendees about how to be unhidden in their work, a reference to the movie 'Hidden Figures,' which showcased the contributions of black female mathematicians at the National Aeronautics & Space Administration. The advice she laid out for others was based on her experience as a black female professor in a STEM field who raised three children while establishing herself in academia. 'Recognize that racism permeates the scientific fields,' she told the group. 'Undertake difficult conversations cautiously, not assuming people are evil creatures.'"
Maa's focus magazine
Washington is featured in the Mathematical Association of America's (MAA) Focus Magazine. The article provides key mentoring tips from the self-proclaimed Math Mamas group.
The --ISM Vortex
|
CHANGING THE FACE OF STEM FORM
What are the --ISMs people of color face in STEM? This may include racism, sexism, ageism, and so on. This presentation talks about these --ISMs and what can be done to overcome them. This presentation was given at the "Changing the Face of STEM Form: A Transformational Journey" on June 12, 2018 at the National Academy of Sciences. |
|
Mathematics, POlitics, & Diversity
AAAS Pre-rally for March for Science
|
|
|
My STEM Journey to Justice
Latinx in the MatheMatical Sciences Conference 2018
Big ideas in stem innovation
|
At the BEYA (Black Engineer of the Year) STEM Conference, Washington presented in the Hall of Innovation that features BEYA's Leading Voices in STEM.
|
|
Mathematically Gifted
|
|
Washington featured in USBE information technologyThe article entitled "Hidden no more: Dr. Talitha Washington" highlights many of her accomplishments.
See the full article at: http://www.blackengineer.com/news/hidden-no-dr-talitha-washington 
|
|
Washington Featured in Chalkdust MagazineThe month of October 2017 is celebrated as Black Mathematician Month. This article features Washington who said, “I remember being at a conference earlier this summer and somebody came up to me and said 'Oh, you are a professor at Howard.' And I remember thinking, ‘why did he say it like that?’, so I went up to him the next day and said ‘I should be the expectation, not your exception.’”
See the full article at http://chalkdustmagazine.com/black-mathematician-month/conversation-talitha-washington/ |
|
"Unhidden Figures"Washington is featured in the article entitled "Unhidden Figures," which appeared in SIAM News in October 2017. The article begins by sharing that "It’s not easy to be a black woman in a field dominated by white men. But certain factors—impactful mentors, inspiring role models, and supportive academic environments—alleviate some of the challenges."
See the full article here: https://sinews.siam.org/Details-Page/unhidden-figures 
|
|
Professor talitha washington receives nsf due appointmentCongratulations to Talitha Washington, associate professor of mathematics at Howard University, on her prestigious appointment by the National Science Foundation (NSF) as the Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE) Program Director for the Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE) program.
“DUE’s programs are intended to strengthen STEM education at two- and four-year colleges and universities by improving curricula, instruction, laboratories, infrastructure, assessment, diversity of students and faculty, and collaborations.” Washington will begin her NSF appointment in August 2017. The press release can be found here. |
|
Mathematics of the 'Hidden figures'
National Math festival 2017
2017 CETLA Featured Teacher
|
The Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Assessment (CETLA) at Howard University announced the "2017 Featured Teacher: Talitha Washington, Ph.D."
The goal of CETLA's Featured Teacher is to put a spotlight on a faculty member who is doing something interesting in and outside the classroom that reflects the mission of CETLA. |
|
Featured in The Southwester
|
In the June 2017 edition of The Southwester, Dr. Washington is featured for leading a discussion on the Hidden Figures movie.
She said, “We must give our children encouragement to pursue being the first. … Mathematics is still predominantly white male. Just because you don’t see yourself there doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be there. Everybody has a right to be there at the table. We have a lot of things that need to be solved—cancer, cybersecurity, diseases. There’s going to be a lot [of societal challenges] going forward and we are going to need the STEM machinery to help solve these problems.” Click on the image shown right for the full article. |
|
Phi beta kappa dc Induction
On April 19, 2017, Dr. Washington was inducted into the Phi Beta Society Gamma DC at Howard University. She is welcomed by colleagues Drs. Eleanor King (Sociology and Anthropology) and Jeanne Toungara (History). She joins this chapter in which Dr. David Blackwell was a chartering member.
Dr. washington on cathe live
|
|
Dr. Washington's hobby is exercise. In her spare time, she enjoys doing workouts on Cathe's Streaming Network. In December of 2016, she joined Cathe Friedrich's Keep the Cardio Coming Live Workout.
Can you find her in the video? |
SMARTE Summer PROGRAM
In the summer of 2013, along with Prof. Watez Phelps, Dr. Washington founded and lead SMARTE, the Science Mathematics and Research Training in Evansville, a program of the Memorial Community Development Corporation. This program, held at IVY Tech Community College Evansville Campus, brought together middle and high schoolers to actively engage in science and mathematics with a field trip to Toyota in Princeton, IN. SMARTE was featured the in the Evansville Courier & Press.
Dr. Washington & Mathematics
|
|
In 2012, Dr. Washington participated in “AGEP PRiME”, a program that gathered mathematicians to discuss their professional journey from being an undergraduate student to being a member of the professoriate. This program was supported by an NSF grant awarded to the Midwest Crossroads AGEP at Purdue University and coordinated by Dr. Edray Goins.
|
honoring the cox family
Dr. Washington's work on Dr. Elbert Frank Cox, the first Black in the world to earn a PhD in mathematics, has been shared on radio and television stations, as well as in the Notices of the American Mathematical Society. They both grew up in Evansville, Indiana and both went on to teach at Howard University.
In the evansville press
evansville city viewDr. Washington is one of the Six People You Need to Know in Evansville, Indiana
|
mini magDr. Washington, The Mathematical 1
|
our timesHoward University keeps
Dr. Washington on staff |
