Baruch Computer Science Students Shined at Two Major 2025 Hackathons

Baruch Computer Science Students Shined at Two Major 2025 Hackathons

February 9, 2026

Baruch's Computer Science students continue to make their mark in New York's most competitive hackathons, and last year's results send one message loud and clear: the Weissman School of Arts and Sciences is home to some extraordinary young technologists. Most of them have been nurtured and supported by Professor Adam Sheffer, whose mentorship has become a defining force for the program.

Last fall, Zachary Stybel and Ye Moe, both Computer Science majors, entered Byte Hacks 2025 at City College, a well-regarded regional hackathon that draws teams from across CUNY and the tri-state area. Their project impressed judges for its clarity, creativity, and technical execution, earning them Second Place out of dozens of teams.

Pushing themselves further still, they applied to DivHacks 2025 at Columbia University, a significantly more competitive event known for attracting elite teams from institutions such as MIT, Oxford, Columbia, and NYU.

Zachary and Ye advanced all the way to the final round, ultimately placing second in one of the major categories-a remarkable outcome for undergraduates especially considering the program from which they emerged is still in its nascent years of expansion.

Sheffer emphasized that rankings alone are not the whole story. "What matters most," he said, "is that our students are fearless. They walk into rooms filled with competitors from some of the world's most prestigious universities and show that Baruch students can go toe-to-toe with anybody. Their hard work and their confidence are what make these results possible."

This is not an isolated success. Last year, another Baruch CS major earned an award at Columbia's hackathon, though he chose to remain quiet about his achievement. Sheffer notes that this humility is common among the students he mentors-but so is outsize talent.

The Computer Science major continues to grow and attract students eager for advanced opportunities in AI, cybersecurity, software development, and applied math. All the while, Prof. Sheffer continues to regularly support students in preparing for competitions, connecting them with research opportunities, and building the confidence needed to thrive in high-pressure environments.

"Our students' achievements reflect something important about Baruch," Sheffer added. "Talent is everywhere. Opportunity is not. When our students get access to the right opportunities, they excel at the highest levels."

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* This copy originally appeared in The Weissman Newsletter. Visit the Weissman School of Arts and Sciences to read about its undergraduate and graduate academic programs.