Program News
Computer Scientist Valerie Barr Quoted in the Atlantic
Valerie Barr, Margaret Hamilton Distinguished Professor of Computer Science at Bard College, was quoted in an Atlantic article about the importance of studying computer science in the age of AI. Barr told the Atlantic that she now assigns coursework largely on paper in her introductory class, and believes that students who learn coding fundamentals the old fashioned way will come out ahead. “You cannot make effective use of AI tools if you don’t know something about what you’re asking the tools to do.”
Computer Scientist Valerie Barr Quoted in the Atlantic
The Computer Science Program at Bard focuses on the fundamental ideas of computer science and introduces students to multiple programming languages and paradigms, covering theoretical, applied, and systems-oriented topics. Most courses include hands-on projects so that students can learn by building, and by participating in research projects in laboratories devoted to cognition, computational biology, robotics, and symbolic computation.
Post Date: 06-09-2026
Emma Benser Spoke About the Importance of Teaching Computer Science in Prison for CACM
Emma Benser, assistant professor of computer science at Bard College, published an article in the Communications of the ACM (CACM), the monthly journal of the Association for Computing Machinery. In the article and in a video interview with CACM, Benser stresses the importance of creating educational opportunities for those who are incarcerated.
Emma Benser Spoke About the Importance of Teaching Computer Science in Prison for CACM
The Computer Science Program at Bard focuses on the fundamental ideas of computer science and introduces students to multiple programming languages and paradigms, covering theoretical, applied, and systems-oriented topics. Most courses include hands-on projects so that students can learn by building, and by participating in research projects in laboratories devoted to cognition, computational biology, robotics, and symbolic computation.
Post Date: 05-14-2026
Bard Students Establish a ColorStack Chapter to Support Computer Science Students
Bard computer science students Nyla Lawrence ’26, Joseph Nartey ’26, and Karla Zarate ’26 have established the newest campus chapter of ColorStack, a national program dedicated to increasing the number of Black and Latinx students graduating with a computer science degree. The program hosts workshops, reviews resumes, and provides a wider support network for students as they pursue their degree.
Bard Students Establish a ColorStack Chapter to Support Computer Science Students
Assistant Professor of Computer Science Emma Benser said the chapter is a promising sign and a resource for future students, particularly as it signals engagement with support networks for Black, Latinx, and other underrepresented students in computer science. “The establishment of this new ColorStack chapter is a major step towards equity for students of color in our program, as students can not only experience belonging in this new community on campus but also benefit from the external resources this national organization provides for Black and Latine students in computing,” she said. “The diversity of our students is a great strength of our computational sciences program here at Bard, and watching the students take this initiative to build community has been inspiring for me.”
Post Date: 03-03-2026