Five Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) Department of Computer Information Science (CIS) students earn a Top 10 finish at the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM) HogHacks 2025, a high-stakes hackathon hosted by the University of Arkansas ACM Student Chapter. The event drew over 150 participants from universities across Arkansas and Missouri, all competing to tackle complex technical challenges.
Representing the CIS Registered Student Organization (RSO), the MSSU Cognitive and Robotics IoT Consortium (CRIC), also known as the Smart CIS Club, the team members - Alan Pantoja, Jordan Duncan, Joseph Evenson, Edward Emmanuel, and Paul Kranker - demonstrated outstanding creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving under pressure. Their success at this competitive event highlights the strength of the CIS program in preparing students for real-world challenges.
“Being part of this hackathon was intense, exciting, and incredibly rewarding. It pushed us to solve problems under pressure and work as a tight-knit team. The experience really showed how much we’ve grown through the CIS program and the RSO,” said Alan Pantoja, MSSU CRIC team member.
“Watching our students take initiative and perform so well on a competitive stage is what the CIS RSO is all about. We aim to create opportunities for students to apply their skills beyond the classroom, and this result shows the value of that approach,” said Dr. Swarn Sethu, CIS RSO coordinator and assistant professor.
“We are incredibly proud of our students for this achievement. Their success highlights not only their talent and dedication, but also the kind of practical, high-impact learning experiences we’re committed to providing in the CIS program,” said Claudia Wilson, department chair of the Technology Department.
The remarkable achievement reflects not only the students' individual capabilities but also the strong culture of hands-on learning, innovation, and peer mentorship that the CIS program and its student-led organizations promote.
For more information about the CIS program and student organizations, click here.
