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Director of Undergraduate Studies

Dr. Rizk's Contribution to Undergraduate Student Recruiting and Retention Efforts 
Name of Effort 
Year 
The Approach 
Target/Tasks 
Outcome 
Hours Per Week 
AI Showcase
 2024
Organized in collaboration with the HPE Data Science Institute to recognize the accomplishments and commitments of outstanding young researchers.
 Graduate Students
The showcase aimed at educating students on the research process and research-related academic resources, while also providing them a channel of peer support and colloquia for a future in data analytics.
 4
Data Science Showcase
2023
Organized in collaboration with the HPE Data Science Institute to recognize the accomplishments and commitments of outstanding young researchers.
Undergraduate Students
The showcase aimed at educating students on the research process and research-related academic resources, while also providing them a channel of peer support and colloquia for a future in data analytics.
4
One on One Mentoring
2023
Creating a student-led, student-designed peer mentoring program with two sub-components:
  • Two workshops per semester for mentees on time management, professional development, and navigating the UH/UH Department of Computer Science systems
  • Mentoring relationships between senior students and underclassmen (juniors and sophmores)
Undergrduate Students
A more experienced, senior student takes a junior colleague under their wing, sharing their expertise to help them develop skills and gradute on time.
5
 Data Science Showcase
 2022
Organized in collaboration with the HPE Data Science Institute to recognize the accomplishments and commitments of outstanding young researchers.
 Undergraduate Students
The showcase aimed at educating students on the research process and research-related academic resources, while also providing them a channel of peer support and colloquia for a future in data analytics.
 4
Scholar Excellence in Research 
 
2022 
The mission of the computer science director of undergraduate studies is to engage students in the research process and facilitate the discovery of new knowledge through collaboration 
Undergraduate Students  
Educate undergraduates about available research-related academic resources 
Insights into Teaching and learning  
2022 
Explore new tools and emerging technologies, approaches, and teaching strategies to facilitate vibrant, challenging, and reflective learning experiences at the Computer Science Department.  
Share Knowledge and teaching practices  
Faculty discussions and teaching enhancement methods 
Undergraduate Empowerment Booster @ Computer Science
 
2022 
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are part of our core values, shape our culture and drive our social life. Undergrduate's empowerment may be defined as including accepting undergraduates' viewpoints, or trying to seek them, raising the status of undergraduate through education, awareness, literacy, and training. 
Offering guidance to schools on how to promote undergraduate’s empowerment in the workplace and community through service learning. 
Undergraduate mentors mentor middle and high school students. The focus is on social responsibility and teamwork 
CoogTube 
2020 
Offers another space for students to visualize their way into learning 
Self-assessing or reflecting on their strengths, or challenges, recording their thoughts instead of writing offers a space free of red pen marks 
400 students are using 
Consulting Clinic 
2020 
Consulting Clinic (CSCC) is a practicum program in which second and third year STEM students, under the direct supervision of Dr. Rizk, assist Houston-area entrepreneurs and nonprofit organizations  
Provide assistance in implementing the technological solution as an end-product. 
130 students  
Joint Program with the Executive Services Corps – Houston 
2020 
The program from the UofH's perspective consists of offerings from the "Computer Sciences" class whereby students form teams to execute a project to affect a solution that may take on various facets of IT solutions for the Houston area's NonProfit community. 
Build strong Relationships between computer science students and the Houston Community 
39 students in a group of 3. each group helps at least two businesses per semester 
Coding with Digital Storytelling
2020 
Mentoring undergraduate computer science students to mentor middle and high school students from marginalized communities and multicultural backgrounds in the Houston area. 
Empower students through coding using digital story telling 
20 undergraduates to mentor and 60 middle and high school students 
Undergraduate Retention Program through coding 
2019 
Inviting companies to educate and to offer internship to Undergraduates in STEM 
Inviting companies to educate and to offer internship to Undergraduates in STEM Computer science undergraduates engaged with regular learning focus group 
Educate at least 20 undergraduates in STEM per year 
Self and Peer assessment 
2019 
Conducting assessment and including expected outcome metrics and satisfaction 
Students gaining more confidence. The positive impact on their grade is amazing 
Around 2753 students so far 
Honors Thesis 
2018 
Inviting Honors college employee to explain the process and the requirements of the Honors college and encourage undergraduates to join. 
Our first Honors Thesis enrolled in Spring 2018. so far, we have 3 (one under my supervision) 
5 students per year 
Peer Mentoring Program 
2017 
Implemented a system to recruit assign and assess mentorship 
The outcome is amazing, every semester we have 20+ volunteering students to help levels: 1xxx , 2xxxx 
Expand to upper-level courses: 3xxx and 4xxxx 
10 
B.S. / M. S. 
2016 
Launching promotional campaigns (posters) to promote the sub-plan, emailing high performing students from all courses, targeting all CS students with high GPA through special email invitation 
Implemented as a sub- plan, since 2016 38 accepted students. 
10 students per year 
Senior Research Project 
2016 
Surveying professors about undergrad research and motivate them to involve undergraduates. Maintain the website for research opportunities by sending regular emails to faculty requesting a one slide research announcement. 
The number of enrolled undergraduates for the first time starts to grow, currently there is 3 (2 of them under my supervision) 
5 students per year 
Undergraduate Research (PURS, SURF, REU): 
2016 
Promote student’s involvement through organizing regular seminars and by Inviting professors for research explanation 
Computer science has no presence in REU program, Honors Thesis and senior projects in 2015, after my recruiting efforts the numbers start increasing 
10 students per year and promote student’s involvement in other REUs