Xavier University of Louisiana ranked as the top HBCU in Louisiana, earns other prestigious recognitions

By Xavier University of Lousiana

Xavier University of Louisiana, America’s only historically Black and Catholic university, was recently awarded several accolades from Plexuss, Inc. Plexuss is an education technology company that seeks to connect millions of students with universities and opportunities for growth. Plexuss recognized Xavier as the nation’s #2 Historically Black College and University (HBCU) and as the number one HBCU in Louisiana as part of their 2022 rankings. Plexuss also ranked Xavier’s Data Science as the top in the state and as the second-highest Faith-based College in Louisiana. 

Xavier’s Bachelor of Science in Data Science program is a newer addition to the plethora of offerings at Xavier. 

“The recognition of our recently established Data Science program reflects the expertise and commitment of our faculty, along with the ambition and talent of our students. Together, they are breaking boundaries in this rapidly evolving field,” said Dr. Anne McCall, Provost of Xavier University of Louisiana. 

The Data Science program at Xavier was established to meet the growing demand for data scientists and analysts with excellent analytical and technical skills who can analyze massive amounts of data and extract information from complex data sources. 

“There is a high need for people of color in data science and technology as the industry is rapidly growing with even more innovative technologies,” said Dr. Anderson Sunda-Meya, Dean of Xavier’s College of Arts and Sciences. “If we want a more just and humane society, we must continue to focus on the fundamentals necessary for the design of intelligent systems, including the extraction and translation of complex data. We want our students to be at the forefront of this developing area.” 

Xavier’s program in Data Science is an interdisciplinary curriculum that provides students with content knowledge and skills across the broad field of data science, including information 

technology principles, concepts, practices, system and database software, learning from data, and analytical thinking. 

Dr. Nawa Raj Pokhrel, assistant professor of data science and statistics, shared what makes Xavier’s Data Science program so successful. 

“Our Data Science Program at Xavier offers a unique and well-balanced combination of mathematics, statistics, computer science, and interdisciplinary courses that lie in the intersection of all to solve multidisciplinary problems in a multifaceted way,” said Dr. Pokhrel 

To see Xavier’s profile and rankings on Plexuss, click here. 

Founded in 2015, Plexuss is mission-driven to changing the world by providing a connective worldwide ecosystem of students, universities and scholarship opportunities. Currently, the Plexuss international network has over 7 million student users and approximately 18,000 higher education institutions.