The School of Information at the University of Texas at Austin

The iSchool knows that the world we currently live in is increasingly more interconnected for people, ideas, and data. New technology and information changes the behavior, organizations, and even society. In order to understand these dynamics of the new world, that will help to shape a future that is conducive to social values, and knows that it is necessary to form knowledge using multiples disciplines—bringing together the arts and sciences, and applying human insights to technological advance. The iSchool has world-class faculty that has expertise in a wide array of disciplines that all come together in order to study and educate individuals about the interactions that people have with information, along with the process of managing and organizing information, and study the impact of new and emerging technologies. The iSchool seeks students that are able to see beyond the current approaches to various problems, who can recognize that information breaks boundaries, and those who are comfortable going across disciplines to find answers.

Students will learn to design new tools, organize data, analyze human activities, and ensure that technology will serve its intended users. It resides at the heart of one of the best cities in the country that is known for its unique mix of technology and culture. Students are connected with employers, and thanks to the worldwide network of alumni, the school boasts a 70% employment rate within 90 days of graduation. These careers are far reaching, well paid, and in high demand—all things that students want in their new careers.

Dakota State University

Dakota State University was founded in 1881 in the Dakota Territory as a school for teacher education. As of today it is one of the most technologically advanced public universities within the Midwest. The University specializes in computer information systems, computer management, and other undergraduate and graduate programs that are related to these fields. Much emphasis is placed on preparing teachers with the expertise needed for using computer technology for the teaching and learning process. There are over 35 majors as well as a pretty serious graduate program. The campus is located in Madison, South Dakota in a busy community that has an inviting, small town feel. In an attempt to keep class size is small, the student to faculty ratio is about 17 to 1, and for those students who are not able to make it to campus there are plenty of courses offered online. The mission of Dakota State University is to provide the type of learning that will integrate technology with innovation in order to develop graduates that are ready to contribute their skills for local, national, and global prosperity. The University values student success, continuous improvement, innovation and technology inside and out of the classroom, integrity and academic freedom, excellence through the entire university, along with a diverse city, respect, and inclusion. This university is chosen by those who are looking for a student-centered experience whose academic community serves as an economic motor in not only local markets, but national and global as well while continuously working on quality improvement.

University of South Carolina

The University of South Carolina is one of the top 32 public universities to have earned the Carnegie Foundation's top-tier designation in community engagement and research activity. It is one of America's oldest and impressively most comprehensive public universities, and USC Columbia is the leading research institution among the USC system, as well as its largest campus. There are about 21,000 undergraduates and about 8,000 students within the graduate and professional programs. The heart of the mission is the university's responsibility to its own state and society to promote the diffusion of knowledge, cultural enrichment, and a greatly enhanced quality of life. The university holds a diverse population of students that have largely varying backgrounds, levels of aspiration, and career goals.

The school overs over 320 degrees at all levels combined, allowing students to have a comprehensive variety of educational programs in South Carolina. The primary method of classroom and laboratory instruction is available at USC, but students can also take courses through distance education that is delivered through the internet and teleconferencing. Because of this, the university is able to offer their plethora of degree options and programs. The depth and width of the graduate programs sets USC apart from all of the other learning institutions within South Carolina. Eight campuses span 19 locations, and is positioned to meet the needs of the state education, culture, research, and health programs. The communities are a priority for USC, and it is committed to providing a superior student experience as well as academic excellence for all students.

University of Pittsburgh

The University of Pittsburgh is a well-known state-related research university. It was founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787, and now it is a member of the Association of American Universities which only has 62 of the best preeminent doctorate-granting institutions for research in North America. The faculty is made up of over 4,500 full time professors, while the student to faculty ratio is 14 to 1. There are over 300,000 living alumni and over 25,000 full time undergraduates. Pitt is one of the world's most respected research universities, as the students learn from and work with world renowned faculty members.

It can be said that the campus is the best thing about the university. It sits on 132 acres and is located in the city's neighborhood of Oakland. Students can balance their studies with fun as well as internships and other opportunities that span beyond the classroom that will enhance their life and job opportunities in the future. Students will enjoy the urban campus, as it is surrounded by parks and sits in a city that is filled with shops, restaurants, entertainment, museums, theaters, and a lively social scene. The school's sports teams and hundreds of student organizations provide every student with multiple ways to not only entertain themselves, but to make important social connections and most importantly have fun during their educational experiences. Health and safety are at top priority of the campus, and there are many opportunities to expand all cultural and intellectual horizons to make new friends and network.

Carnegie Mellon University Human Computer Interaction Institute

The Human-Computer Interaction Institute is an extant laboratory where the relationship between human activity, computer technology, and society are investigated. It was founded in 1993, and is the place where individuals work to understand and then create technology that works with and improves human goals, capabilities, and social environments through the very important interdisciplinary research and education in computer science, design, behavior sciences and social sciences. The institution also works closely with colleagues from various universities not only in Pittsburgh but around the world as well. They also collaborate with researchers in companies that are anything from a local startup to something like a multinational corporation. The research and educational programs offered will span a full spectrum of knowledge creation. The institution researches how people work, how they play, and how they communicate in organizations, groups, and social structures. Then, they will design, create, and evaluate technologies as well as tools that will support human and social activities. From start to finish the university stands firm in its dedication to collaboration.

The mission of the university is to apply creativity and rigor pervasively and consistently. It works to infuse HCI methods in an appropriate way in CMU and beyond. Students will be pushed the boundaries of the problems that HCI addresses. They will also work to expand the tools and methods that are used to address said problems while delivering artifacts, systems, and services that improve the lives of individuals. And most importantly, the institution works to remember that people are at the center of their work.