Courtesy of GSU Communications
Grambling State University students once again proved themselves among the nation’s best in applied data science, capturing the top prize and multiple top finishes at the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth x Atlanta University Center Data Science Initiative 2026 Data Challenge.
In a field of more than 100 student teams representing 25 colleges and universities, Grambling State stood apart with five teams advancing to the finals—more than any other institution—and three teams finishing among the competition’s top six.
The finals were held April 30–May 2, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.
This year’s challenge, themed “Healthy Economies, Healthy Communities,” asked students to explore how inclusive economic conditions shape healthcare access and how small businesses can help improve outcomes in under-resourced communities. Grambling State’s students rose to the occasion with data-driven, solutions-focused work that earned national recognition.
Leading the way was Team Data4Access—Aaron Paddy, Michael Adofo, and Enoch Owusu Ansah—which earned 1st Place and $15,000 in prize money.
Two additional Grambling State teams also secured top honors:
Team Data Drive — David Nintang, Holy Agyei, and Iminabo Roberts — 3rd Place ($5,800)
Team Access Terrain — Christotes Nartey-Tetteh and Richmond Azadze — 3rd Place ($5,800)
Other Grambling State finalist teams included:
DataRX — Nonso Duaka, Joshua Udo, Favour Aina, and Samuel Torto
The JEM Lab — Jason Chimdinma Jason, Eniola Farinde, and Mofetoluwa Akinkoye
In total, more than $50,000 in prize money was awarded across six winning teams in the competition, including one first-place team, two second-place teams, and three third-place teams.
“This achievement reflects the talent, preparation, and determination of our students, who represented disciplines across the arts, engineering, science, and business,” said Dr. Derrick V. Warren, Dean of the Thomas & Joyce Moorehead College of Business and Entrepreneurship. “To repeat as champions on a national stage, and to have more teams in the finals than any other university, speaks volumes about the culture of excellence we are building at Grambling State. Our students are not just competing—they are developing solutions that matter.”
Grambling State’s finalist teams were coached by Entrepreneur-in-Residence Kimberly Penn, Dr. Basidi Dembele, Dr. Mir Ali, Dr. Olatunde Ogunyemi, and Dean Derrick Warren.
The 2026 championship builds on Grambling State’s strong performance in 2025, when the university also earned first- and third-place honors in the competition. Together, those back-to-back wins underscore the university’s growing leadership in applied data science and its commitment to preparing students to solve real-world problems through innovation, collaboration, and analytical rigor.
All finalist teams received an all-expenses-paid trip to Atlanta, where they presented their work before industry leaders and national stakeholders.
For Grambling State, the results represent more than a competition victory. They reflect the continued emergence of student talent prepared to lead in data, business, technology, and community-centered innovation—on campus, across the region, and on a national stage.
