Learn More about Missions Computing

Major in Computer Science at Taylor University and participate in missions computing. Become a part of a team of faculty and students who work on real-world software for missions organizations with ministries around the world.

The missions-computing emphasis is benefiting missions organizations and students through the development of new computer software. “We are working on a way to make this academically valid, because we know students can produce commercial-quality software if they’re in the right environment with enough resources,” says Dr. Bill Toll, chair of the Computer Science department at Taylor. “This has given Taylor exposure in new communities and has served as a recruiting tool to encourage our students to work in missions.”

In the past, CSE students and faculty have worked with mission organizations such as Wycliffe, HCJB, and Operation Mobilization on a number of software packages, including WordSurv, a linguistics program designed to aid Bible translators in the collection and analysis of word lists.

Missions computing also enables the CSE department to dedicate more time and resources to developing software for missions organizations while simultaneously enabling students to receive practice with long-term projects. The CSE department has even considered adding a new major track that would focus on missions computing and missions software development. “[The emphasis] will provide good experience for students,” says Stefan Brandle, CSE faculty member. “Students receive a real-world opportunity to see their projects being used.”

Brandle says the goal for the initiative is to involve other colleges and universities in the process of software development, thus increasing the number of projects that can be completed. “Mission organizations don't always have the time . . . to coordinate volunteers who want to help in the area of technology,” Brandle says. “If we had one or two people on staff dedicated to missions computing, they could help organize volunteer efforts.”