DREAM Project 2026

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About The Researchers

Kimberly M. Buckhalter is an instructional technology facilitator with Jackson Public Schools in Jackson. She has over five years of experience in education and two years of experience working with teachers and administrators through technology integration professional development and digital learning initiatives. She holds an Education Specialist degree in school counseling from Jackson State University and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Computer Science at The University of Southern Mississippi.

Her professional interests include educational technology, artificial intelligence in education, computer education, and expanding access to technology opportunities for underrepresented students. Her aspirational research focus centers on expanding the future computing workforce through graduate education pathways across the South. Through this Dream and Appreciate Program, she is exploring strategies to strengthen community workforce pathways and broaden graduate education opportunities throughout the southern United States.

Dr Sarah B. Lee serves as my advisor for the Dream Program at the University of Southern Mississippi. She is Director of the School of Computer Sciences and Computer Engineering and is widely recognized for her leadership and computing education and workforce development. Dr Lee’s research focuses on broadening participation in computing, increasing access to computer science and cybersecurity education, and understanding the factors that influence students to pursue and persist in computing pathways. Through her guidance and mentorship, Kimberly will develop a research project focused on expanding graduate education pathways and strengthening the future computing workforce in the South. 
 
The Project

The long-term objective of this project is to provide recommendations that enhance access to graduate computing education, support regional workforce development efforts, and promote the growth of the future computing workforce throughout the southern United States.