ATLANTA — Mercer University’s College of Professional Advancement (COPA) will host its seventh annual Informatics Day on March 22, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Mercer’s Atlanta campus in the Administration and Conference Center, Room 190. This year’s theme is Generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs).
“This event has been an excellent place for us as organizers and faculty to bring well-respected professionals in informatics specialties to give professional presentations to our prospective and current informatics students and let them know more about the promises and opportunities that are waiting for them after graduation,” said Dr. Feng Liu, professor of informatics and chair of the informatics and mathematics department.
Presented by COPA’s Department of Informatics and Mathematics, organizers say Informatics Day is designed to engage students with professionals in the field and to promote the College’s technology-related programs.
“Our department has a tradition of serving the community,” said Dr. Liu. “We believe technology should serve the community and help the community become a better place to live.”
The theme of this year’s event, Generative AI and Large Language Models, will explore how these technologies are transforming industries and shaping the future of work.
This year’s event will feature:
- Mercer Alumni Panel — moderated by Associate Professor of Informatics Dr. Vikraman Baskaran and featuring alumni Denny Nguyen and Sherry K. Williams
- External Speakers Panel — moderated by Assistant Professor of Computer Science Dr. Shafiul Hasan and featuring Dr. Emily Darraj, business information security officer and AI safety, AI cyber SME and adjunct professor; and Dr. Rakib Islam, data scientist with Visa
- Representatives from Mercer’s administration including Dr. Priscilla R. Danheiser, COPA dean and professor; and Corey Geer, director of graduate admissions
- Career guidance from Julie Cannon, associate director of the Center for Career and Professional Development
- Research support information from Florence Tang, research services librarian for Swilley Library and Dr. Ava Chambliss-Richardson, director of research compliance
- Interactive Q&A sessions with prizes
“By engaging with Mercer alumni and industry experts, students will gain a deeper understanding of career pathways, practical applications and the evolving landscape of informatics,” said Dr. Hasan. “The event’s interactive elements, such as the Q&A quiz and career counseling, will help students refine their goals while offering networking opportunities to build meaningful industry connections.”
The free event is open to Mercer faculty and current and prospective Mercer University students. Registration is recommended. For more information, please contact baskaran_v@mercer.edu or hasan_sm@mercer.edu.
About the College of Professional Advancement
Mercer University’s College of Professional Advancement is committed to serving post-traditional learners. Undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs are offered to adult learners seeking professional advancement into leadership roles in and beyond their communities. Programs provide students with distinctive, multidisciplinary experiences that integrate theory and practice. In addition to providing general education and elective courses for various colleges and schools at Mercer, the College of Professional Advancement offers degree programs in areas including technology, public safety, public and human services, leadership and administration, health care and liberal arts. Programs are offered on Mercer’s campuses in Atlanta and Macon, as well as Regional Academic Centers in Douglas County and Henry County, and online. To learn more, visit professionaladvancement.mercer.edu.
