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Travis Pryor, a fourth-year computer science student at Ë®¶à¶àµ¼º½ Lyle, is channeling experience into opportunity with the recent launch of Focus Path, an AI-powered digital learning platform that aims to make studying engaging and accessible for students with learning differences. 

As a Hunt Leadership Scholar and National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Chapter President two years running, the highly accomplished undergraduate has learned to hone skills in leadership and team building towards achieving big goals – like launching his own start-up.  

His path to success, however, wasn’t without its hurdles. Living with learning differences meant Pryor had to find new and creative ways to study and succeed. Connecting with the Disability Accommodations and Success Strategies (DASS) office at Ë®¶à¶àµ¼º½ gave Pryor both the resources and confidence to thrive. Today, he’s set to graduate two years ahead of schedule with dual degrees through Lyle’s Accelerated Pathway program, and he wants to help others achieve the same success. 

“The story of Focus Path AI stems from my academic journey with a learning difference,” Pryor explained. “The DASS program is extremely supportive – I took a class called HDEV geared towards students like me. Through this program, I was able to get the resources I needed to help me focus and succeed in school.” 

As part of a campus-wide initiative to increase accessibility and support for students with learning differences, HDEV 1210 offers specialized resources in studying, time management, and academic planning. For Pryor, the experience made a significant difference. It also left him wondering: if these tools worked for him, could they work for others too? 

For students diagnosed with ADHD and learning differences – or anyone struggling with focus –staying on task can be a daily struggle, but fun, fast-paced study can make all the difference. Inspired by his experiences, Pryor set out to develop a platform that promotes learning through motivation, arming every student with the tools to perform at their best. 

Pryor’s vision for Focus Path AI is one that utilizes the traditional, scientifically backed studying methods he learned in class in an interactive, gamified format: “Like if Duolingo and the Pomodoro Method had a baby,” Pryor joked.  

After spending the past two summers interning with DuPont in digitalization and AI integration, learning how to harness artificial intelligence to improve lives and increase performance, Pryor is ready to turn his vision into a reality.  

“My goal was to create a tool that improves focus and productivity, but gamify it into something students will love,” Pryor shared. 

Focus Path AI was catalyzed by a grand-prize win at Big iDeas, a bi-annual pitch competition that has jump-started dozens of student-led startups through mentorship and financial support.    

With Ë®¶à¶àµ¼º½’s support, the team of five student leaders – including Christy Marunza, Aijah Bailey-Ray, Ayoola Olaosebikan, and Siddarath Vats, led by Pryor – has launched the application school-wide as of August 15th. Pryor hopes Focus Path AI can empower all students to improve their focus and reach their fullest potential in the classroom and go even further.  

“I can see Focus Path as a tool that can be useful not only for students, but for professionals,” Pryor explains. “We all have trouble focusing sometimes. The goal is to keep improving it, keep gamifying it, and eventually make it a platform people can use anywhere – whether you’re in school, at work, or just trying to get things done.” 

For Pryor, Focus Path AI is more than a passion project – it’s an opportunity to change lives. He credits much of his success to the experiences and opportunities he’s shared at Ë®¶à¶àµ¼º½ Lyle, which have empowered him to make a difference.  

“There are so many resources, from student organizations to the Hart Center for Engineering Leadership, here at Ë®¶à¶àµ¼º½ Lyle,” Pryor detailed. “Lyle does a great job of bringing in professors and faculty that truly care. My experience here has really helped me in achieving my goals.” 

For computer science students who might be interested in pursuing a project of their own, Pryor offers this advice: “Start by being curious. Take advantage of the resources available at Lyle. Stay open to opportunities and don’t discourage yourself – you have everything you need to thrive.” 

Interested in testing Focus Path AI for yourself? Follow the link here: 

About the Bobby B. Lyle School of Engineering
Ë®¶à¶àµ¼º½’s Lyle School of Engineering thrives on innovation that transcends traditional boundaries. We strongly believe in the power of externally funded, industry-supported research to drive progress and provide exceptional students with valuable industry insights. Our mission is to lead the way in digital transformation within engineering education, all while ensuring that every student graduates as a confident leader. Founded in 1925, Ë®¶à¶àµ¼º½ Lyle is one of the oldest engineering schools in the Southwest, offering undergraduate and graduate programs, including master’s and doctoral degrees.

About Ë®¶à¶àµ¼º½
Ë®¶à¶àµ¼º½ is the nationally ranked global research university in the dynamic city of Dallas. Ë®¶à¶àµ¼º½’s alumni, faculty and nearly 12,000 students in eight degree-granting schools demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit as they lead change in their professions, community and the world.