During Morehouse College’s 141st Commencement Exercises, Dr. Sonya M. Dennis, Associate Chair and Senior Assistant Professor of Computer Science, was recognized with one of the institution’s highest faculty honors—the Vulcan Materials Company Teaching Excellence Award for the 2025–2026 academic year. The award honors a faculty member who demonstrates exceptional teaching, a commitment to academic excellence, and a deep dedication to student success.
Dr. Dennis has served on the Morehouse faculty since 2006, bringing more than 20 years of experience in computer science education to the classroom. Known for her dynamic instructional style and unwavering commitment to students, she has shaped generations of future technologists through innovative pedagogy, mentorship, and leadership in curriculum development.
Her academic journey reflects both depth and purpose: she holds a Ph.D. in Information Systems Management from Walden University, a Master’s in Computer Science from Clark Atlanta University, and dual undergraduate degrees from Savannah State University in Computer Science (B.S.) and Computer Engineering (A.S.).
Throughout her tenure at Morehouse, Dr. Dennis has played a vital role in institutional service, serving on numerous committees including the General Education Committee, the Institutional Review Board, and both divisional and college-wide Curriculum and Educational Policy Committees. She is also an accomplished researcher in the areas of artificial intelligence, STEM education, and undergraduate research. Her work has garnered funding from notable organizations such as Boeing, the National Science Foundation, and the HBCU-Data Science Consortium.
Recognized nationally as a Latimer A.I. SoTL Fellow, a Carnegie FDTAC Fellow, and most recently as a P.I.L.O.T. Fellow, Dr. Dennis is at the forefront of leveraging artificial intelligence tools to enhance instruction and support student learning outcomes in computer science.
Outside the classroom, Dr. Dennis is an active community leader. She has served for six years on the Advisory Board of the Lithia Springs High School STEM Academy and currently co-chairs the Delta Academy youth development program through the Douglas-Carroll-Paulding Counties Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. A woman of deep faith and service, she is also a devoted member of Word of Faith Worship Cathedral.
As she approaches 30 years of marriage to her college sweetheart, Schuyler Dennis, she beams with pride over their two children: Schuyler II, a Morehouse alumnus from the Class of 2023, and Summer, a scholar at Kennesaw State University. Dr. Dennis credits her parents, Ernest and Letha Snelling, for instilling in her a foundation of faith, family, and the timeless principle of treating others with kindness and respect.
In receiving the Vulcan Teaching Excellence Award, Dr. Dennis joins a distinguished group of Morehouse educators whose teaching transforms lives. Her dedication to nurturing student potential, advancing computer science education, and serving her community exemplifies the best of what it means to be an educator at Morehouse College.
Congratulations, Dr. Dennis!