Main Takeaways
Bridging Gaps, Shaping Minds
Our focus is to expand the representation of Black data scientists in AI and machine learning. It’s a field where diversity is sorely lacking, but we’re making strides. Our programs are focused on training the next generation of African American data scientists who can bring a unique perspective to the table.
Of our 18 graduates so far, 100% are African American. This is significant when you consider that African Americans represent less than 3% of those holding graduate degrees in data science. Meharry is making a meaningful contribution to closing that gap.
AI with Empathy
Representation in AI matters. Diverse teams are better equipped to identify and address potential racial biases in AI models used in healthcare. Our focus on training African American students in AI is about ensuring these tools are equitable and serve all communities fairly.
AI is a powerful tool in preventive care. It helps us analyze data trends to predict health outcomes, allowing for earlier interventions. Our students and faculty are using AI to bridge gaps in healthcare and address disparities in underserved communities.
Supercomputing the Way Forward
In early 2021, I approached our President and CFO, saying, 'Meharry needs its first supercomputer.' Despite our limited resources, they responded with support, and the next day, we had the funds. That commitment energized us to build a stronger computational foundation.
With additional grants, we now have four supercomputers and are building a modern data center. It’s not just for Meharry’s needs but also to offer analytics services to industry partners, generating revenue and advancing our research capabilities.
Partnerships that Power Progress
Industry partnerships are crucial to our progress. Our advancement council includes CEOs from key data science fields, many of whom are African American. They support us with scholarships, internships, and funding, which are vital for providing opportunities to our students.
Our summer program, supported by NASA, gives high school students a glimpse into the possibilities of data science and technology. It’s inspiring to see them realize they can aim high and maybe even work at NASA one day. This program is about igniting that spark.
A Community Effort
Our students understand our mission—they know we’re still building, still scaffolding. Their resilience and commitment to our vision help drive our progress forward. Without their belief in what we’re doing, none of this would be possible.
It takes a village to build what we are creating. From our dedicated faculty and staff to our industry partners and students, everyone plays a role. This collective effort is what enables us to continue making a difference.
Could you please introduce yourself, share your background, and describe your current role and institution?
Thank you. My name is Fortune Mhlanga. I am the founding dean of the School of Applied Computational Sciences (SACS) and the Senior Vice President of Enterprise Data and Analytics at Meharry Medical College. Four years ago, I accepted President Hildreth’s challenge to establish a school focused on training master’s and doctoral students in data science. We shared the belief that expanding Meharry's research and academic programs into artificial intelligence and machine learning was crucial. Before joining Meharry, I was the founding dean of the College of Computing and Technology at Lipscomb University.
What would you say is the biggest challenge you face in your current role?
Our biggest challenge is expanding the representation of Black data scientists in artificial intelligence and machine learning, where there is a significant diversity gap. However, we are making great progress toward this goal.
On the flip side, what would you consider your greatest achievement so far in this role?
That’s a great question. Our greatest achievement is the growth we’ve seen across all areas. We began in August 2020 with just 10 students across two programs. By fall 2021, we had 26 students; in 2022, 34; in 2023, 44; and this fall, we've reached 90 students, with 88% being African American. Our graduation rates reflect this success too. In May 2023, we had our first three graduates—all African American women. By May 2024, that number increased by 15, making a total of 18 graduates, all African American. This is significant, considering that African Americans make up less than 3% of those holding graduate degrees in data science. Meharry is making a meaningful contribution toward closing this diversity gap, with representation in our programs that you won’t find in many other data science or computer science programs.
Could you describe some of the main challenges in both administrative and academic work today?
Financial challenges are a major issue, but they can be addressed with effort. Beyond that, personnel management is key. If you can successfully handle personnel matters, you’re well-positioned for success.
What was it like to create a new school and develop programs that weren’t traditionally part of the college’s landscape?
It was a big leap for us. Previously, we were the Data Science Institute, consisting of myself, four other staff members, and two faculty—three faculty members total by January 2021. When the Board approved the school on February 12, 2021, it was a huge milestone. But there was also a lot of anxiety, as we weren’t sure how we’d achieve our goals.
You now offer two master’s programs, two certificates, and two PhD programs. Are you planning to add more? How do you continue to expand programs so quickly?
Yes, we are actively discussing new programs, and today we’re finalizing plans to launch four more in fall 2025: Masters of Science in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Bioinformatics, and Cybersecurity Assurance. These new programs leverage the strength of our existing data science and biomedical data science master’s programs, so we only need to introduce a few new courses. For example, the Master’s in Computer Science requires five new courses, while the Master’s in Artificial Intelligence requires none. This approach highlights the robustness of our current programs.
How do you manage this expansion with the ongoing concerns around enrollment trends in higher education?
It’s definitely challenging, especially since Meharry is one of only four historically Black medical colleges in the nation. Meharry has traditionally been known as a medical institution, so it takes effort to get the word out about our computational sciences programs. We’re making progress, but it’s still early days. Another challenge is serving our target student population. We’re focusing on African American students, many of whom cannot afford the high costs of education. So, we also work hard to secure scholarship funding, and we’ve made significant strides in this area.
What advice would you give to faculty looking to create transformative programs at their own institutions?
My advice is to approach it like a builder—carefully laying each brick until, eventually, you have a solid program, students enrolled, and faculty ready to support its growth.
Why did Meharry choose to focus on data science, and what role does it play in preventive medical care?
Yes, I mentioned the importance of educating African Americans in data science. Meharry, with over 100 years of history, will soon celebrate 150 years in 2026. Historically, our research has been lab-based. When our President joined Meharry, he recognized the need for data science and made it a priority. We credit him for this vision. Now, the School of Applied Computational Sciences collaborates with other schools, such as Medicine and Dentistry, to enhance lab research with computational science. This enables Meharry’s researchers to compete with leading institutions in healthcare research. The presence of African Americans in data science is crucial, as diverse teams can better identify and address racial biases in AI and machine learning models used in healthcare.
SACS has been running the Collaborative Interactive Data Science Academy for high school students, including a week-long residential experience. How important is this outreach for participants and SACS?
This program is incredibly meaningful. It allows us to reach out to public high schools in Nashville, bringing students from grades 9 to 12 to our campus for a week during summer. We introduce them to technologies they’ve never encountered and give them a taste of higher education. Our faculty and students, many of whom are African American, lead the sessions, showing these students what’s possible for them. They learn about data science, robotics, programming, and meet astronauts and female data scientists. We’re grateful to NASA for funding this initiative.
What’s your biggest takeaway from this program and your partnership with NASA?
This initiative inspires students, showing them that they can pursue careers in fields like mathematics, computer science, and even work at NASA. It helps them aim high, knowing they can reach the top.
How crucial are industry partnerships and representation in your program's success?
Industry partnerships are vital and have significantly boosted our progress. Early on, we recognized the importance of building an advancement council—similar to an advisory board. It includes CEOs in data science, healthcare, and key industries, many of whom are African American. Our first meeting in January 2021 solidified their support, leading to funding for scholarships and internships. Partners like Oracle, HCA, and Direct Relief have provided crucial financial support, which helps us immensely.
It seems your faculty are deeply involved in research, grant proposals, and teaching. How do you balance their research workload with availability to students?
We manage this balance in several ways, especially through research. Since 2021, we’ve steadily increased our research grants, going from five new awards in 2021 to 17 new awards in 2023. These grants are crucial because they support faculty salaries, student aid, and institutional needs. Importantly, most of our research grants involve students working directly with faculty, which increases faculty availability outside the classroom. This hands-on collaboration enhances teaching and provides our students with valuable learning experience.
Can you briefly describe the student experience at SACS?
The School of Applied Computational Sciences at Meharry Medical College focuses on innovating, connecting, and serving. Our goal is to instill these values in our students, creating graduates who will make a meaningful impact on society. That is our vision.
What is your desired enrollment, and how do you plan to reach that goal?
Currently, we have 90 students, and we are adding four new programs related to computational and data sciences. Our goal is to reach about 200 students by 2027, with at least 85% from underrepresented groups. This will allow us to have a significant impact on the communities they will serve.
What can you tell us about your role in leading the Enterprise Data and Analytics Initiative, including the establishment of high-performance computing at Meharry?
The Enterprise Data and Analytics division evolved from the School of Applied Computational Sciences, which originally had a broad mandate with four pillars. These included academic programming, conducting research, building technology infrastructure to support the clinical enterprise, and using analytics to improve institutional outcomes. Realizing this was a big task for an academic unit, the President established a separate Enterprise Data and Analytics division in 2022 to focus on the latter two pillars. One of our early initiatives was acquiring Meharry’s first supercomputer in 2021. Despite limited resources, our President and CFO supported the vision. That support energized us and led to further success—acquiring three additional supercomputers through grants from the National Science Foundation, HRSA, and other sources. We are now building a modern data center and providing analytics services both internally and to external partners, generating revenue for Meharry.
I want to express my gratitude to our President, who calls himself Meharry’s Chief Cheerleader, and the entire senior leadership team. Their unwavering support has been crucial. Our deans, provost, faculty, and staff have also gone above and beyond, despite being stretched thin. And most importantly, our resilient students have embraced our mission and continue to help us move forward. It truly takes a village to build what we are creating, and I appreciate everyone who is part of this journey, including our advancement council and industry partners.
