Dr. Jessica N. Jones is a Human-Systems Research Scientist with the United States Navy where she is responsible for investigating, designing, and evaluating technologies that allow warfighters and other related personnel to complete their missions safely and efficiently. She is a native of Richmond, Virginia and a Magna Cum Laude graduate from the class of 2011 (Onyx 8). While at Hampton, Dr. Jones majored in Computer Science (CS) and was a member of the William R. Harvey Leadership Institute where she earned a minor in Leadership Studies. Upon graduation from Hampton, Dr. Jones began her graduate school career at Clemson University where she earned a Master of Science in CS with a concentration in Interactive Computing in 2014. After leaving Clemson, Dr. Jones entered University of Florida and received her Ph.D. in Human-Centered Computing in 2018. Upon graduation from the Computer and Information Science and Engineering Department in the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, Dr. Jones became one of the first two Black women (both graduated on the same day) to obtain a Ph.D. from the department.

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CodeIT Day is a workshop designed for students in grades 5-12 where they are introduced to computer science in a fun, hands-on manner. During this day-long event, students use a drag and drop interface (a system allows students to select virtual objects by grabbing them and dragging them into a desired location) to program interactive software technologies such as Lego WeDo, Lego Pico, or Makey-Makey. After being taught a few basic computer science and logic concepts like sequential problem solving and iteration, students are paired into their own teams. Each team decides on a project, such as a video game or a controllable vehicle, then brainstorms and creates the physical device, a game controller or Lego car for example, and its code. At the end of the day, each team presents their final product to the larger group.

The first two CodeIT Day events were held at Clemson University in partnership with the Human-Centered Computing Division and the School of Computing Graduate Student Association. CodeIT Day 2017 and 2018 were held in Gainesville Florida at the University of Florida. Go Gators!