News
Carroll discusses minimalist learning design in magazine interview
The legendary Funnel of Nurnberg was said to make people wise very quickly when the right knowledge was poured in—a philosophy that designers continue to apply whenever they over-structure information designs. However, according to Dr. Jack Carroll, Edward M. Frymoyer Professor at Penn State’s College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST), and the author of a landmark book on minimalist design, designers should prescribe less, and enable users to think and do more with new technologies.
IST grads, students explore San Francisco start-up scene
The second annual Start-up Week, which was held at Penn State’s College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) March 18-23, 2013, featured more than 25 entrepreneurs from trailblazing companies such as Weebly, Reddit and Songsplit, who networked with students and dispensed advice on starting and growing innovative technology-based companies. Several IST students decided to foster the connections established with the entrepreneurs and educate themselves about the field of entrepreneurship by embarking on a trip to San Francisco, Calif.
Tapia to engage Schreyers Honors students in crisis informatics discussions
Dr. Andrea Tapia, an associate professor in Penn State’s College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST), seeks to develop information and communication technology solutions that promote better decision-making across all responders in disaster settings. Starting in the Fall 2013 semester, she will have the opportunity to engage students in the Schreyer Honors College in a deeper discussion than what is typically allowed in a classroom setting of how technologies can be used to save lives during a crisis.
Tapia heads to Costa Rican jungle to discuss sustainability
Sustainability research, which examines the complex interactions between humans and the rest of nature, has the potential to bring economic and social benefits to the developing world and tropical countries such as Costa Rica. However, sustainability research in the tropics has been slow to develop. Dr. Andrea Tapia, an associate professor in Penn State’s College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST), is one of about 30 people worldwide who have been invited to participate in a consortium that will hold its first planning meeting in June in the jungle of Southern Costa Rica, where they will discuss issues of sustainability and biodiversity conservation in the tropics.
IST dean announces $50,000 gift to establish scholarship
David Hall, dean of Penn State’s College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST), says he feels indebted to Penn State for the opportunities it has provided him, and would like to show that appreciation by easing the financial burdens of future IST students. To solidify that commitment, he recently finalized the documentation for an estate gift of $50,000 for the David L. Hall Scholarship in IST.
IST celebrates 2013 graduating class
Penn State’s College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) will hold its Spring 2013 commencement ceremony at 3 p.m. May 4 at Eisenhower Auditorium.
Enterprise Architecture skills help student land prominent internship
Enterprise architecture (EA) is one of the fastest-growing career fields today, with organizations of all types seeking qualified individuals at all levels to fill architecture-related jobs. However, being a relatively new field, it can be hard for employers to find recent college graduates who possess an understanding of EA fundamentals. Ryan Kroekel, a sophomore at Penn State’s College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) recently landed an internship with a high-profile company with the help of skills and knowledge he gained through a class taught by Dr. Brian Cameron, executive director of the college’s Center for Enterprise Architecture.
Outstanding IST Alumni Award celebrates milestone
In commemoration of the 10-year anniversary of its first graduating class, Penn State’s College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) has established the Penn State Outstanding IST Alumni Award to recognize graduates who have reached exceptional levels of professional achievement. The award is one of the highest honors bestowed by the College of IST.
College of IST hosts 2nd Annual Start-up Week March 18-23
Visionary entrepreneurs from around the country, including alumni from the College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST), are visiting Penn State this week to inspire future innovators during the second annual IST Start-up Week. The event, taking place March 18-23, features more than 25 speakers and visitors from trailblazing companies such as Weebly, Reddit, Sincerely, Dropbox, Scribd, Social Cam and SongSplits. The event is open to the public.
Big data in EA topic of Siemens conference
Big Data, which refers to large amounts of structured and unstructured data that require machine-based systems and technologies in order to be fully analyzed, holds enormous potential for organizations. Implementing enterprise –wide systems to harness the power of big data, however, poses challenges for companies. Dr. Brian Cameron, Executive Director of the Center for Enterprise Architecture (EA) at Penn State’s College of Information Sciences and Technology, recently was the keynote speaker at a conference of an international conglomerate, where he discussed how the practice of enterprise architecture—the alignment of enterprise information systems and technology with business strategy and goals—can be employed by companies to develop effective enterprise-wide big data environments.
Graham talks about analytic games in the classroom
In Col. Jake Graham’s Security and Risk Analysis Capstone Course (SRA 440W) at Penn State’s College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST), students navigate a post-cyber society in which the entire power grid has been knocked out by a massive burst of solar wind. Graham, a professor of practice at the College of IST, discussed the class, which is part of a broader strategy to train future analysts, during the first McMurtry Award Lecture, "Using Analytic Decision Games to Teach Security and Risk Analysis in the College Classroom,” held Feb. 22, 2013 in the IST Building.
EA interview featured on Forrester.com
Business leaders and organizations are increasingly turning to the evolving science of enterprise architecture (EA) to stay competitive in today’s global economy. However, there are still no accepted standards or a defined career path for EA-related professionals. Dr. Brian Cameron, founding president of the Federation of Enterprise Architecture Professional Organizations (FEAPO) and executive director of the Center for Enterprise Architecture at Penn State’s College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST), recently conducted an online interview with a representative for a global research and advisory firm in which he discussed the efforts to professionalize and advance the field of enterprise architecture.
IST THON raises record-breaking total of $56,512.79
The 2013 Penn State IFC Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON) marked a milestone by surpassing the $100 million mark in total funds raised to support pediatric cancer. The 46-hour no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon, which took place Feb. 15-17 at the Bryce Jordan Center, raised $12,374,034.46 for the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Medical Center. An organization representing the College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) contributed to the effort by raising $56,512.79, placing in the top ten among 256 general organizations in fundraising. According to several IST THON members, the experience was both exhilarating and heart-rending.
IST to host second annual Start-up Week March 18-23
The College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) at Penn State is pleased to announce it will host its second annual Start-up Week from March 18-23 at the University Park campus. To generate excitement around the event, the Start-up Week student committee is holding a “Countdown to Start-up Week” today in the IST Building, 2nd floor east hallway from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. There will be games and activities to encourage participants to learn about Start-up Week and its special guests. The public is welcome to attend the festivities and enjoy treats and fun giveaways.
Graham to present first McMurtry Lecture on February 22
In recent years, the rise of mobile technologies and analytic support tools has set the stage for instantaneous reporting and analysis. Col. Jake Graham, a professor of practice in Security and Risk Analysis (SRA) at Penn State’s College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) will give a lecture next week in which he will discuss an innovative pedagogy to train future intelligence analysts. Graham, a retired colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps., will give the first annual McMurtry Award Lecture, "Using Analytic Decision Games to Teach Security and Risk Analysis in the College Classroom,” at 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22, 2013, in room 208 in the IST Building.
Ancient board game offers insight into military, cyber threats
As the United States faces increasing cyber and physical threats, both foreign and domestic, intelligence analysts must be able to predict their adversaries’ moves and defeat them at their own games. At Penn State’s College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST), Dr. Stan Aungst is employing the ancient Chinese game of Go to help students gain new insight and new methods for countering attacks, and to hone new cognitive skills for the twenty-first century.
Penn State EA represented at global council meeting in Kazakhstan
Dr. Brian Cameron, executive director of the of the Center for Enterprise Architecture (EA) at Penn State’s College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST), recently spoke as part of an expert panel session in Astana, Kazakhstan hosted by the IFIP IP3 Global Industry Council (GIC), which is affiliated with the United Nations and sets international professional standards for different aspects of technology-related fields. Cameron’s presentation, which focused on the programs of the Center for Enterprise Architecture and a global view on EA trends and issues, was his first speaking engagement as a member of the GIC.
Carroll named Distinguished Professor at Penn State
Dr. Jack Carroll, a prominent researcher in the field of human-computer interaction (HCI) for over 40 years, has been named as the first Distinguished Professor for the College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST), effective July 1, 2013, when he completes his role as the Edward M. Frymoyer Chair Professor. This honor was approved by President Rodney Erickson based on a University-level review committee.
World Campus ranks highly in U.S. News online education report
Penn State's online campus, the World Campus, ranked in the Top 25 for its online undergraduate and graduate programs among the hundreds of higher education institutions included in U.S. News & World Report's 2013 Best Online Education Program Rankings, released Tuesday (Jan. 15).
