Eight years after becoming the first community college to compete internationally, Laney's pioneering role is recognized during the Student Cluster Competition's 20th anniversary.
In 2018, a team of Laney College students accomplished something no community college had done before. They entered the international Student Cluster Competition, stepping into a world of high-performance computing traditionally dominated by four-year universities and major research institutions.
Eight years later, that achievement is receiving renewed recognition as the Student Cluster Competition celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2026.
A recently published article, SC26: Twenty Years of the Student Cluster Competition, highlights Laney's historic participation as a milestone in expanding access to one of computing's most specialized fields.
Laney College students participated in the 2018 Student Cluster Competition through a partnership with the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Photo courtesy of Johnnie Williams.
Bringing Supercomputing Within Reach
Laney's participation grew out of a partnership between the college's Computer Information Systems (CIS) Department and the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC) at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Led by CIS instructor and current Co-Department Chair Johnnie Williams, the collaboration introduced students to high-performance computing (HPC), a field that uses powerful computer systems to tackle complex problems in science, engineering, medicine and other disciplines.
The Student Cluster Competition gives teams the opportunity to build and operate computing clusters, run scientific applications, and solve technical challenges under real-world constraints. Students gain practical experience while connecting with researchers, technology professionals, and peers from around the world.
For Laney students, the partnership offered access to an experience rarely available at the community college level.
"One of the most important things about this experience was showing our students that they belonged in the same room as students from major universities around the world. They had the opportunity to work with advanced technology, learn from professionals at Berkeley Lab, and see what was possible for their futures in computing. That's what community college education should be about: opening doors."
A Milestone Worth Remembering
The Student Cluster Competition began in 2007 with six university teams competing in Reno, Nevada. Over the following two decades, it grew into an international program that helps students develop technical skills and discover career opportunities in high-performance computing.
The competition's 20th anniversary article specifically recognizes Laney College as the first community college to participate in 2018, placing the college among the institutions that helped broaden access to the field.
That recognition reflects the value of partnerships between community colleges and research institutions, particularly when they give students opportunities to work with technologies and professionals beyond the traditional classroom.
Read the SC26 20th anniversary article →
From Left: Jameelah, Dave, Peishan, Xiaoli (front), Matthew (back), Malik, Steve (supporter), Simon, Sebastian, Yinglu, Johnnie (advisor), Xingli, Marissa, Ashoka, Charles, Mark, Dan (advisor)
Explore Computer Information Systems at Laney This Spring
Students interested in programming, computer science, and information technology can begin building their skills through Laney College's Computer Information Systems Department.
Spring 2027 classes include:
- Introduction to Computer Information Systems (CIS 1): An introduction to computing and information systems, with online sections available.
- Introduction to Computer Science (CIS 5): Explore computer science fundamentals with online and in-person options.
- Java Programming Language I (CIS 36A): Build programming skills using Java, with online and in-person sections.
- Object Oriented Programming Using C++ (CIS 25): Develop programming skills through object-oriented programming concepts.
- Data Structures and Algorithms (CIS 27): Explore important concepts used in software development and computational problem-solving.
- Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs (CIS 61): Study deeper programming concepts, with online and in-person sections.
- Database Programming with SQL (CIS 98): Learn database programming and SQL, with in-person and online synchronous options.
Spring classes begin January 25, 2027, and enrollment is open.
Whether students are just beginning to explore technology or preparing for advanced study and careers, Laney's CIS courses offer opportunities to develop skills and continue their education.