Support
In addition to their internship projects, the 2025 Alabama Data Scholars summer intern cohort has been engaging in a professional development program consisting of QuantHub upskilling, guest speakers, and technical workshops.
Live sessions have covered an array of inspiring data and AI-focused topics revolving around the themes of Data for “Business Innovation, “Science & Technology,” and “Health & Community.” Distinguished higher education representatives shared their research and discussed academic options available to Scholars, while industry leaders and young professionals alike shared their personal career journeys into data and gave insight into their day-to-day work.
6/9 – Summer Kickoff
6/18 – UpSkill Workshop: “AI Productivity Tips” led by Morgan Rucker, QuantHub
6/24 – Summer Speaker Series: “AI and a Changing Workplace Landscape” + Jupyter Notebooks Demo led by Dr. James Locke, Troy University Center for AI Research and Education
6/25 – UpSkill Workshop: “Creating a Standout Resume in the AI Era” led by Dr. Kelsey Bickett, QuantHub
6/26-27 – Sloss Tech
7/1 – Summer Speaker Series: “Data Analytics within Alabama’s Food Industry” + Excel Demo led by Derek Camp, Fenwick Food Group and Milo’s Tea Company
7/2 – UpSkill Workshop: “Getting Started with SQL” led by Alan Ridgway, QuantHub
7/16 – UpSkill Workshop: “Good Prompting is not Just a Skills Issue” + DSPy Demo led by Paul Lockett, Innovation Portal
7/17 – Summer Speaker Series: “From Molecules to Models: My Journey from Molecular Biology to Data Science” led by Dr. Ebony Weems-Oluremi, Alabama A&M University
7/18 – Summer Speaker Series: “My Journey in Sports Analytics: From Samford to the Squadron” led by Alyssa Ryals, Birmingham Squadron
7/22 – Summer Speaker Series: “Applied Research in Big Data and Machine Learning” led by Dr. Ryan Benton, University of South Alabama
7/23 – UpSkill Workshop: Career Storytelling & Leveraging Your Experience led by Keyona Meeks, ReRev
7/29 – Summer Speaker Series: AI-Aided Drug Research led by Dr. Jake Chen, University of Alabama in Birmingham (UAB) Systems AI Pharmacology Research Center (SPARC)
7/31 – Scholar Showcase (1-3:30pm, McWane Science Center)
About Alabama Data Scholars
With generous support from Innovate Alabama, Pathway Sponsors, and partnering employers statewide, QuantHub is proud to administer Alabama Data Scholars, an 8-week summer internship and skills development program designed to “engage, inspire, and retain Alabama’s next generation of data- and AI-driven innovators.” The 2025 cohort consists of 43 Scholars completing internships with 28 innovative organizations across the state. To date, the program has placed 69 students into paid summer internships while providing high-demand technical skills training. The program has gained recognition as a model for both future-ready workforce development and rural talent retention.
