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GVSU Board of Trustees approves new human-centered computing programs
April 25, 2025
Grand Valley State University’s Board of Trustees has officially approved the launch of two new degrees in Human-Centered Computing (HCC), a bachelor’s and a master’s degree, set to begin enrolling students in Fall 2025. In attendance at GVSU's Board of Trustees meeting was a group of College of Computing faculty and staff who supported the creation of these two degree programs, as well as our other programs in Artificial Intelligence and Software Engineering, that were approved in the Winter 2025 semester.
The creation of these programs mark another bold step for computing education in the College of Computing at GVSU, offering an interdisciplinary curriculum that integrates computer science, psychology, design, and the social sciences. Rather than focusing solely on technical proficiency, human-centered computing prepares students to create and design technology that is ethical, accessible, and deeply aware of human needs.
“These programs began as a vision during our brainstorming sessions in August 2024, where more than 160 industry leaders and community members helped shape the future of computing at Grand Valley,” said Dean Marouane Kessentini. “The launch of HCC reflects our commitment to reimagining computing through the lens of people, not just processes.”
Human-centered computing addresses the growing demand for professionals who can build intuitive, inclusive, and user-driven technologies, especially in fields like artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, and user experience (UX) design. A 2023–2024 labor market study identified nearly 20,000 unique HCC-related job postings in Michigan alone, with median salaries exceeding $124,000.
Dr. Imtiaz Ahmad, who led the development of the program, said, “The biggest hurdle was creating a curriculum that balances technical rigor with human understanding. We engaged in cross-disciplinary collaboration, validated our curriculum with industry partners, and shaped it to reflect emerging trends in human-technology interaction.”
To further strengthen the College of Computing’s expertise in the HCC field, we have welcomed new faculty members Dr. Paul D.S. Fink and Dr. Talha Khan, both of whom bring active research portfolios in human-centered computing and related disciplines. Their addition reflects the college’s strategic investment in building capacity around human-centered design and computing. These programs are closely aligned with these recent hires and the college’s broader vision for interdisciplinary, inclusive technology education. Alongside the continued leadership of Dr. Ahmad and Dr. Ali Raza, students in the HCC programs will be mentored by faculty conducting relevant research and providing a real-world impact.
Dr. Raza, a new faculty member in Fall of 2024 contributed to the development of the HCC curriculum proposal, and other interdisciplinary faculty at GVSU, will play key roles in delivering the curriculum and mentoring students. “One of the motivating factors for co-leading the creation of these two programs has been my transdisciplinary training in creating learning technology systems to support learning experiences for all students in K12 and beyond,” Raza said. “HCC will contribute richly to benefiting our local communities and industry partners by building inclusive technologies to advance human knowledge and experience by engaging in deep partnerships with communities.”
Computing student, Finnete George, spoke on her work in HCC as member of Dr. Raza’s Ed Tech Partnership Lab, “I applied cognitive theory to improve user interfaces and algorithms, deepening my understanding of how technology can better serve people. This aligns with the future of HCC shaping technology to be more inclusive, accessible, and effective for society.”
The bachelor’s program in HCC will include hands-on learning opportunities such as industry internships, user experience research, AR/VR prototyping, and a senior project. The master’s program will provide advanced, research-driven training for professionals seeking leadership roles in UX, product design, and human-AI interaction. Our graduate HCC program welcomes applicants from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds including computing, design, education, psychology, and the social sciences who are passionate about creating human-centered technologies.
These new programs will be available for students to declare soon. For more details, visit our website or contact [email protected] for more details.
Written by Shelby Harrison