JSU coding team soars to victory with SOAR app at BE Smart Hackathon

By Aron Smith

Jackson State University’s coding team, TICODE, claimed the top prize of 100,000 American Airlines (AA) Advantage miles, beating out 24 participating HBCUs, at the prestigious 8th Annual BE Smart Hackathon hosted by American Airlines in Fort Worth, Texas, on Sunday, Nov. 5.

TICODE, which stands for “Tiger Coders,” is a JSU student-tech organization focused on delivering top-notch coding projects to streamline and enhance web application development, ensuring a faster and more efficient development experience.

The BE Smart Hackathon gives students, like those in TICODE, a platform to exhibit their technical abilities and seize opportunities for internships and full-time positions within American Airlines’ emerging tech sector. This year’s event witnessed its largest turnout, uniting 180 students who formed 34 teams, representing 25 of the nation’s HBCUs.

“I’ve always wanted to be in a space where I can meet other like-minded people. It’s more about having fun, sharing ideas, and bringing these ideas to life. I was excited for the opportunity to build and see what others had going, their ideas, and how they planned to achieve them,” said Mahlangu Nzunda, a junior computer engineering major.

The hackathon is more than a competition. It allows talented students to showcase their technical abilities and gain practical experience utilizing emerging Application Programming Interfaces (API). Throughout a demanding 24-hour hack, American Airlines dedicated experts to mentor each team, assisting them in crafting and delivering their presentations to be evaluated by a panel of American Airlines executives.

Nzunda credits their success to his teammates’ unwavering dedication and tireless efforts, who he said represented Jackson State remarkably despite challenges.

“I realize this isn’t something I can do alone. Teamwork prevailed when our contributions collectively turned into a winning solution. It was a humbling experience. Teamwork is the secret sauce that leads to victory,” Nzunda said.

JSU TICODE made a major comeback this year after failing to place in the top five during previous competitions. The winning computer science and computer engineering majors credited their victory to strategic teamwork and coding prowess as they created the real-world SOAR application.

Their winning contribution, SOAR, is a travel assistant app designed to simplify the airport experience by offering assistance from check-in to post-flight, reducing lines, and enhancing clarity that provides crucial support during unexpected situations.

“Securing victory this year propels me one step closer to my dream career as a computer engineer. Winning this competition has enhanced my skills as a full-stack developer and provided invaluable insights into the ever-expanding landscape of technology,” said Khaylah Rose, a junior computer engineering major.

What sets this hackathon apart is its role in creating pathways to promising career opportunities. Every year, participants are highly sought after for internships and full-time positions with American Airlines and its tech partners to showcase their talents and groundbreaking ideas that shape the future of technology.

BE Smart Hackathon HBCU participants: