Vanderbilt University’s College of Connected Computing (CCC) welcomed students, innovators and changemakers for the second annual Global Good Hackathon, held March 28–29. Building on the momentum of its inaugural year, the event brought together 21 teams dedicated to developing technology-driven solutions that address pressing social challenges.
The hackathon continues to grow as a platform for purpose-driven innovation. Participants spent the weekend designing and building projects aimed at advancing social good, with ideas spanning a wide range of impact areas—from water treatment systems tailored for rural communities to applications designed to connect members of the Vanderbilt community during times of need. Support for the hackathon was made possible by Antonio Akins, BS’96, senior vice president of engineering at Salesforce and member of the CCC Dean’s Advisory Council.
“Last year’s Hackathon was great, but this year’s was incredible. It was amazing to see what students, with or without programming expertise, were able to create in only 48 hours,” Akins said. “I think we witnessed the future of work and entrepreneurship right before our eyes.”
The event was organized by CCC faculty members David Hyde and Meiyi Ma, with significant leadership and coordination from student organizations, including Vanderbilt’s chapters of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and Women in Computing. Their collaboration helped foster an inclusive and energetic environment where students from diverse backgrounds could contribute their perspectives and technical skills.
Throughout the weekend, teams worked intensively to transform ideas into functional prototypes, receiving mentorship and feedback along the way. The hackathon emphasized not only technical excellence but also the importance of empathy, community engagement, and sustainable impact.
As the event concluded, participants showcased their projects, demonstrating how innovation and collaboration can be harnessed to address real-world issues. With growing participation and continued support, the Global Good Hackathon is quickly establishing itself as a signature event within Vanderbilt’s computing community.
Organizers have already confirmed that the hackathon will return for its third installment in Spring 2027, promising to further expand its reach and impact.