# Legand L. Burge

> American computer scientist

**Wikidata**: [Q114361215](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q114361215)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/legand-l-burge

## Summary
Legand L. Burge is an American computer scientist who has served as a professor at Howard University since 1999. He is recognized for his leadership in promoting diversity in AI and computer science, notably heading a $15M NIH initiative, and for being named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2015.

## Biography
- **Born:** 1972
- **Nationality:** United States
- **Education:**
  - Bachelor of Science, Langston University, 1992
  - Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science, Oklahoma State University System, 1998
- **Known for:** Leading diversity and AI initiatives in academia
- **Employer(s):** Howard University (1999-present)
- **Field(s):** Computer Science

## Contributions
Legand L. Burge has been a professor at Howard University for over two decades, establishing himself as a leader in computer science education. His most significant contribution is leading a $15 million National Institutes of Health (NIH) initiative focused on promoting diversity in artificial intelligence and computer science, specifically targeting Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This initiative directly supports expanding research opportunities and pathways underrepresented groups in these critical fields. While specific foundational research papers or major open-source projects are not detailed in the provided source, his work centers on developing programs and curricula that broaden participation in computational fields through large-scale, funded academic leadership at Howard University.

## FAQs
### Q: Where is Legand L. Burge currently employed?
A: Legand L. Burge is employed as a professor at Howard University, where he has been since January 1999.

### Q: What major award has Legand L. Burge received?
A: He was named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in 2015.

### Q: What is the focus of his NIH initiative?
A: The $15 million NIH initiative he leads aims to promote diversity in artificial intelligence and computer science, particularly targeting Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

## Why They Matter
Legand L. Burge matters because his leadership in directing significant federal funding towards diversity in AI and computer science directly addresses critical gaps in representation. His work at Howard University, an HBCU, provides substantial resources and opportunities for underrepresented students and faculty in these high-demand fields. By heading the $15M NIH initiative, he shapes the future of the discipline by building inclusive pathways, potentially influencing institutional practices and workforce development for years to come. Without his efforts, progress in diversifying these technical fields at the scale and funding level he enables would be significantly diminished.

## Notable For
- Elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in 2015.
- Serves as a professor at Howard University since 1999.
- Led a $15 million NIH initiative promoting diversity in AI and computer science at HBCUs.
- Holds author IDs across multiple academic platforms (DBLP, IEEE Xplore, ResearchGate, Google Scholar, LinkedIn).

## Body
### Career
- **Primary Employer:** Howard University (since January 1999).
- **Initiative Leadership:** Directed a $15 million NIH initiative focused on diversity in AI and computer science, specifically targeting Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

### Education
- **Doctorate:** Earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Computer Science from the Oklahoma State University System (1998).
- **Bachelor's Degree:** Earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Langston University (1992).

### Recognition & Identifiers
- **Award:** Received the Fellow designation from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in 2015.
- **Author Profiles:**
  - DBLP Author ID: b/LLBurgeIII
  - IEEE Xplore Author ID: 37296722500
  - ResearchGate Profile ID: Legand-Burge
  - Google Scholar Author ID: ThVcD2oAAAAJ
  - LinkedIn Personal Profile ID: legand-burge-7806249
- **Reference IDs:** Prabook ID: 1660932
- **Relationship:** Son of Legand Burge, Jr. (source: The History Makers).
- **Alias:** Also known as Legand L. Burge III.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/legand-burge-jr)
2. [Source](https://profiles.howard.edu/legand-burge)
3. [Source](https://cea.howard.edu/articles/computer-science-professor-legand-burge-leads-15m-nih-initiative-promote-diversity-ai-and)
4. [Source](https://www.aaas.org/news/2015-aaas-fellows-recognized-contributions-advancing-science)
5. Prabook