The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is stepping into the future of innovation with the launch of its new Center for Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics (CAIDA), positioning the HBCU as a rising force in one of the fastest-evolving fields in the world. The initiative marks a significant investment in cutting-edge technology, research, and workforce development—creating new opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in artificial intelligence and data science. As demand for tech talent continues to surge, UAPB’s latest move underscores a broader push among HBCUs to close the gap in STEM representation while preparing the next generation of Black leaders to thrive in a data-driven economy.
“This center is a strategic shift in how we prepare students, across disciplines, to lead in a data-driven economy,” said Anthony Graham. “Every UAPB graduate will leave here with the ability to apply artificial intelligence and data analytics to real-world challenges, positioning them for careers that command both relevance and long-term economic mobility.”
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries across the globe, CAIDA will play a central role in embedding AI and data analytics into the university’s curriculum while expanding AI literacy for students, faculty, and staff alike. The center will also spearhead several campus-wide initiatives, including developing a comprehensive AI governance model and strategic plan, strengthening student recruitment and enrollment management, increasing donor and alumni engagement, and modernizing institutional data infrastructure.
Leading the initiative is Dr. Trina Fletcher, a UAPB alumna and vice chancellor of research and innovation, as well as an associate professor of engineering and industrial technology, management, and applied engineering. In addition to her degree from UAPB, Fletcher holds a master’s degree in operations management from the University of Arkansas, a second master’s in engineering management from George Washington University, and a Ph.D. in engineering education from Purdue University—a combination that positions her to lead the center with both academic depth and industry insight.
With the launch of CAIDA, UAPB is not just keeping pace with technological change—it’s helping to shape it. The center represents more than an academic investment; it’s a statement about access, opportunity, and the future of Black talent in tech. By embedding AI into the fabric of the institution, UAPB is ensuring its students aren’t just participants in the digital economy—they’re innovators, architects, and leaders ready to define what comes next.
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is stepping into the future of innovation with the launch of its new Center for Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics (CAIDA), positioning the HBCU as a rising force in one of the fastest-evolving fields in the world.
