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PreFreshman Experience (PFx) - 2026
Proof of What’s Possible: Data, AI, and the Future We Build!

Student Registration

Program Description

2026 PreFreshman Experience

Theme: Proof of What’s Possible: Data, AI, and the Future We Build!

Interested in computer science, data science, AI, and the many ways technology can help shape a better future? Then the 2026 PreFreshman Experience is for you!

The PreFreshman Experience, also known as PFx, is a one-week VIRTUAL experiential learning opportunity designed for incoming HBCU freshmen. During the program, students will work alongside a current HBCU student mentor and an HBCU faculty member to explore how data, AI, and technology can be used to build solutions for communities and people who need them most.

Throughout the week, students will engage in team meetings, working sessions, panels, and skill-building opportunities designed to support their transition into college and introduce them to the growing possibilities within data science and AI.

Upon successful completion of the one-week virtual program, each student will earn a $250 cash stipend.

Program Dates: Monday, July 20 - Friday, July 24 (11AM - 4PM)

Program Requirements:
  • Incoming HBCU Freshmen (FALL 2026 - First Year)
  • Attend daily team meetings and working sessions from 11:00 AM–4:00 PM ET
  • Attend all panel and information sessions designed to help you build useful college and career skills
  • Work with your team to complete and present a final project at the end of the week

Program Benefits:
  • Learn by doing – Dive into real-world data projects connected to social impact and community change.
  • Hear from the pros – Join panels and sessions with industry leaders, researchers, and HBCU alumni using data and AI to shape the future.
  • Grow your network – Connect with students, mentors, and faculty from across the HBCU community, many of whom may become part of your immediate college and professional network.

Join us for the 2026 PreFreshman Experience: Proof of What’s Possible: Data, AI, and the Future We Build! and begin exploring how data, AI, and your own ideas can help create a future rooted in possibility, innovation, and impact.

Application Deadline: Sunday, June 7, 2026

If you have questions about this research study, please contact the Program Coordinator, Jamal Ware at Jware@aucenter.edu
1.What is your full name?(Required.)
2.What is your personal email address?(Required.)
3.What is your HBCU email address?(Required.)
4.Which HBCU institution have you been accepted to?(Required.)
5.What state are you from?(Required.)
6.What is your intended major?(Required.)
7.Please share how familiar you are about the following topics:(Required.)
Not at all familiar
Slightly familiar
Moderately familiar
Highly familiar
Data science careers
Data science topics
AI Tools (Claude, ChatGpt, Gemini)
Technical presentations
8.Please rate how familiar you are about the following software:(Required.)
Not at all familiar
Slightly familiar
Moderately familiar
Highly familiar
Excel / Google Sheets
R / RStudio
Python
C++
Java
HTML
9.What is the highest mathematics or statistics course you have taken, and when did you take this course?(Required.)
10.Please share your familiarity with the following data science related tasks.(Required.)
Not at all familiar
Slightly familiar
Moderately familiar
Highly familiar
Analyze data to draw inferences and make predictions
Use programming software to analyze data 
Create visual representations of data 
Acquire and process data from various sources
Understand data ethics and identify bias in data analysis
Apply data to real-world problems, including the African diaspora
Communicate findings and reasonings used to analyze data
11.How would you describe your overall technology experience with virtual learning?(Required.)
12.What is ONE thing you would like your instructors to do to make virtual learning more engaging?(Required.)
13.Please rank the importance of each of the following factors in your interest in data science.(Required.)
Not at all important
Slightly Important
Important
Highly important
I am good at programming and/or statistics.
Data science is enjoyable and interesting.
Data science is challenging.
A friend/relative is studying data science or has a data science career.
A teacher encouraged me.
Data science is valuable for my career interests.
Data science jobs pay well. 
I like the idea of being a data science professional.
14.Are there any other factors that were important to your decision to learn more about data science?(Required.)
15.I expect the PFx program to:(Required.)
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly Agree
Be fun.
Be challenging.
Provide me with faculty mentorship.
Help me better understand how to use data science.
Expose me to internships and other job opportunities in data science.
Connect me with students like myself.
Connect me to faculty who are helpful.
Connect me with data scientists at companies.
Help me decide if data science is right for me.
16.What do you hope to gain MOST from your participation in the PFx program?(Required.)
17.Future Goals(Required.)
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly Agree
I place a high value on the role of research in my future career.
I would be interested in enrolling in more courses related to data science.
I want to develop my data science skills because it is part of my career goals.
I would enjoy a data science oriented job or a job which has some element of data science in it.
I would be interested in pursuing graduate studies in data science.
I would be interested in a career in data science.
18.What concerns, if any, do you have about participating in the PFx program?(Required.)