The strength of the College of IST is demonstrated through the successes and accomplishments of its students, faculty, alumni, and programs. Read more about how the college and its people are driving innovative change and taking on the challenges of the Information Age.
If you have a story idea or questions about IST news, contact the Office of Marketing and Communications.
Penn State security center announces 2023 grant recipients
The Penn State Center for Security Research and Education has awarded $152,500 in funding to six Penn State faculty through its 2023 grant program.
More engagement in tech design can improve children’s online privacy, security
Researchers led by the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology reviewed a body of research to better understand the problems and solutions of designing technology with children’s privacy and security in mind. They are presenting their findings at the Association for Computing Machinery Interaction Design and Children Conference this month.
Penn State announces tenure-line faculty promotions, effective July 1, 2023
Editor’s note: This article originally appeared on Penn State News. Faculty members from the College of Information Sciences and Technology were mentioned.
Penn State announces non-tenure-line faculty promotions, effective July 1, 2023
Editor’s note: This article originally appeared on Penn State News. Faculty members from the College of Information Sciences and Technology were mentioned.
Center for Socially Responsible AI awards Big Ideas Grants to five projects
The Penn State Center for Socially Responsible Artificial Intelligence awarded more than $212,000 to advance five interdisciplinary research projects as part of its Big Ideas Grant program. Awarded projects feature researchers from six departments across four colleges and institutes.
College of IST names first associate dean for undergraduate studies
The Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology has appointed Sharon Huang as its first associate dean for undergraduate studies, effective July 1.
Former Penn State Smeal, IST dean and longtime professor Jim Thomas retires
James B. "Jim" Thomas, William Elliott Professor of Risk and Management, is retiring this year after nearly 36 years at the University, including serving as dean of two colleges — the College of Information Sciences and Technology and the Smeal College of Business.
IST graduate pursues creative business idea with help from Penn State Scranton
While still a student at Penn State Scranton, Parkston Myers, a May 2023 information sciences and technology graduate, turned a creative idea that stemmed from his passion for video games, which developed at a young age, into a $10,000 business plan.
What’s next on 'HumIn Focus'? Upcoming episode addresses questions about AI
A series of questions about the wide-ranging potential of artificial intelligence, as well as its limitations and myriad impacts, represents the focus of the seventh episode of "HumIn Focus," which will make its streaming debut on June 16, and its WPSU-TV premiere on June 24.
What’s next on 'HumIn Focus'? Upcoming episode addresses questions about A.I.
A series of questions about the wide-ranging potential of artificial intelligence, as well as its limitations and myriad impacts, represents the focus of the seventh episode of "HumIn Focus," which will make its streaming debut on June 16, and its WPSU-TV premiere on June 24.
Penn State hosts Nigerian delegation to discuss partnership
A delegation led by the former president of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and His Royal Majesty Saka Adelola Matemilola, the Paramount Ruler of Owu Kingdom in Nigeria, visited Penn State on May 23-24 to explore opportunities for long term and impactful partnership between Penn State and a consortium of higher education institutions in Nigeria.
College of IST announces Office of Enrollment, Engagement and Belonging
The Office of Enrollment, Engagement and Belonging is the new name of a collaborative unit in the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology. The new unit includes three offices: inclusion and diversity engagement, undergraduate recruiting and student engagement.
Media Mention: ‘Microsoft launches new AI tool to moderate text and images’
Where: Tech Crunch, “Microsoft launches new AI tool to moderate text and images“
Who: Shomir Wilson, assistant professor in the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST)
IST, World Campus graduate student named cybersecurity scholar
Joshua D'Ottavio, a College of Information Sciences and Technology and World Campus student at Penn State, was named an RSA Conference Security Scholar. He joined thousands of cybersecurity professionals at the 32nd annual RSAC in San Francisco.
Perception of human emotion in movement focus of $2 million NSF grant
A Penn State-led research team received a $2 million National Science Foundation to study how machines perceive and process human body language. The research could stimulate advancements in health care applications, including the design of caregiving robots.
'Powered by Chocolate Milk,' Penn State hosts first in-person esports tournament
The Penn State Esports club hosted its first in-person tournament last month. The Nittany Invitational welcomed seven teams, 65 competitors and nearly 300 spectators in what the club said was one of the largest annual collegiate video gaming tournaments on the East Coast.
IST announces 2023 Dean’s Circle of Teaching Excellence members
Ten faculty members in the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology were selected to join the Dean’s Circle of Teaching Excellence for 2023.
IST doctoral student receives NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
Jeff Brozena, a second-year doctoral student in the College of Information Sciences and Technology at Penn State, was selected as a 2023 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program awardee. With a focus on human-computer interaction for mental health, Brozena plans to use his fellowship to broaden the scope and reach of his research on how technologies can support individuals living with bipolar disorder.
Congratulations Graduates
A gallery of photos providing a look at just a few of the more than 14,000 newest Penn State graduates as they complete their successful journey at spring 2023 commencement ceremonies.
Student team places 3rd in Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition regional finals
A team of Penn State students recently took third place in the regional finals of the Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition.
Alumnus Scott Robertson receives College of IST’s highest honor
Scott Michael Robertson, an alumnus of the College of Information Sciences and Technology at Penn State, was selected as the 2022 recipient of the IST Outstanding Alumni Award, the highest honor bestowed by the college upon its graduates.
College of IST names student marshals for spring 2023 commencement
The Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology has named its student marshals for the spring 2023 commencement ceremony. Elissa McNeil will represent the IST’s undergraduate majors, and Daniel Manolesco will represent the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program.
Head of FEMA set as College of IST commencement speaker
Deanne Criswell, the 12th administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, will present the commencement address for the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology on May 6. The ceremony will be held at 9 a.m. in Pegula Ice Arena.
Positive triggering method reduces nationality bias in large text generators
Large language models that use internet files to learn how to respond to user prompts about different countries worldwide repeat biased ideas – both positive and negative – found online. Using positive trigger words, like “hopeful” and “hardworking,” when entering prompts can retrain the models and result in less biased responses
Transparent labeling of training data may boost trust in artificial intelligence
Showing users that visual data fed into artificial intelligence (AI) systems was labeled correctly might make people trust AI more, according to researchers. The findings may also pave the way to help scientists better measure the connection between labeling credibility, AI performance and trust.
IST assistant professor Shomir Wilson receives NSF CAREER Award
Shomir Wilson, assistant professor in the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology, is the recipient of a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award from the National Science Foundation in recognition of his work, “Large-Scale Exploration and Interpretation of Consumer-Oriented Legal Documents.”
What is ChatGPT and what can it be used for?
Penn State artificial intelligence experts offer perspectives on some of the most frequently asked questions.
Email scammers tailor methods to target universities
Email-based scams sent to members of a university community are more personalized and compelling and present unique risks, such as providing unauthorized access to university systems, compared to those sent to the general population, according to new research from Penn State.
AI lab for low-resource communities earns 2023 Engagement and Scholarship Award
The RAISE Lab in the College of Information Sciences and Technology, which focuses on leveraging artificial intelligence to imagine a brighter future for low-resource communities around the globe, has received the 2023 Penn State Award for Community Engagement and Scholarship. The award recognizes a project that best exemplifies Penn State as an “engaged institution.”
App to prevent allergy attacks wins first place in IdeaMakers Challenge
Meallergies, an app that can help avoid allergy attacks when ordering meals from restaurants, was the winning idea in the 2023 Bardusch Family IdeaMakers Challenge, held March 22 during Penn State Startup Week. The winning team received the top prize of $4,000 in the final pitch competition, which they’ll use to further explore and grow their idea.
Forty graduate students recognized with prestigious University awards
Forty Penn State graduate students were named recipients of Penn State’s most prestigious annual graduate student awards, administered by the Graduate School in collaboration with several Penn State units. The awards recognize and celebrate graduate students who are excelling in teaching, research and service, as well as other academic pursuits.
Commitment to technology, public service set IST alum up for success
As a full-time database consulting engineer, an independent financial adviser, and a commissioner in his local community, College of IST alumnus Fred Faylona relies on his Penn State experience to succeed professionally and make a difference in his community.
IST assistant professor Fenglong Ma receives NSF CAREER Award
Fenglong Ma, assistant professor in the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology, is the recipient of a 2022 Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award from the National Science Foundation in recognition of his work, “Automated Multimodal Learning for Healthcare.”
Schreyer Honors College announces 2023 Alumni Award recipients
Schreyer Honors College honored four Scholar alumni for their achievements and contributions with the 2023 Scholar Alumni Awards. The winners were recognized on March 24 at a luncheon held at the Hintz Family Alumni Center.
5 student startups win funding in Inc.U Competition
Student startup Bindr, a dating app that provides a safe space online for bisexual individuals, won $15,000, the largest prize amount, in the 2023 Invent Penn State Inc.U Competition. The competition, part of Penn State Startup Week powered by PNC, saw six Penn State student teams pitch their startups to a panel of judges and compete for up to $30,000 in funding.
Artificial intelligence models aim to forecast eviction, promote renter rights
Two artificial intelligence-driven models designed by researchers from the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology could help promote the rights of low-income renters in the United States when facing forced eviction.
Center now offering social responsibility consultations for AI researchers
Penn State’s Center for Socially Responsible Artificial Intelligence is now offering social responsibility consultations to University researchers engaged in AI-related research.
WPSU examines ‘sharenting’ and how it may open a digital door to unwanted guests
In the next episode of "Conversations Live," WPSU will take a look at “sharenting” and the possible vulnerabilities and consequences of parents oversharing their children’s lives online.
IST’s 'Be You in Tech' Summit celebrates diversity, encourages empowerment
The College of Information Sciences and Technology recently partnered with RMS US LLP to present the 2023 Be You in Tech Summit. The event brought together more than 60 Penn State students with corporate partners in a professional environment to connect, learn, and share ideas, while recognizing the strength and opportunity of diversity in the technology industry.
Entrepreneurs share strategies during Penn State Startup Week powered by PNC
Each spring, Penn State Startup Week powered by PNC brings together the best and brightest Penn State student and alumni entrepreneurs and innovators for a weeklong celebration of what happens when Penn State’s inspired doers put their ideas into action.
College of IST awards seed grants to 8 projects
The Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology recently announced eight projects that will receive funding from the college’s seed grant program. The program provides preliminary funding to support research activities and generate preliminary results that will eventually lead to bigger projects involving external funding. IST faculty wrote short proposals, which were reviewed by representatives of the college’s diverse faculty.
Center issues seed grant call for 'Big Ideas' in socially responsible AI
Penn State’s Center for Socially Responsible Artificial Intelligence is inviting short proposals for a special off-cycle round of "Big Idea Grant" seed funding earmarked for early concepts and research that has transformational potential. Applications will be accepted through May 1, with projects expected to start on July 1 and last for up to two years.
Thought leaders headline TechCon at Penn State Abington
Technology thought leaders will share their vision for building smart, sustainable communities at the TechCon and Innovation Challenge at Penn State Abington on Saturday, March 25. The event is open to the public.
IST Career Spotlight: Nick Leghorn keeps NYT applications secure
Nick Leghorn is using his Penn State degree in information sciences and technology to help The New York Times provide high-quality journalism while ensuring the digital experience can be tailored to the reader’s needs. As the news outlet’s director of application security, Leghorn is helping the company make a transformation from a company that focuses on print publications to one that offers online experiences.
IT students at Penn State Wilkes-Barre get experience in cybersecurity lab
Cybersecurity is a growing field full of career possibilities, and students at Penn State Wilkes-Barre are able to study the field firsthand thanks to an on-campus lab. The lab allows faculty at Penn State Wilkes-Barre to apply the principles they are teaching in lecture courses to real-world examples and scenarios.
IST Career Spotlight: Megan Tucker flies ahead with Boeing
As an IT business partner for Boeing, Megan Tucker is the focal point for one of the company’s new defense helicopter programs. She works between the program and the enterprise to ensure all IT requirements are met and communicated.
Beyond memorization: Text generators may plagiarize beyond 'copy and paste'
Language models, possibly including ChatGPT, paraphrase and reuse ideas from training data without citing the source, raising plagiarism concerns, according to a Penn State-led research team that conducted the first study to directly examine the phenomenon.
Virtual Symposium Lite designed to complement in-person TLT Symposium
Teaching and Learning with Technology will offer a new virtual complement to the TLT Symposium this year. Symposium Lite is a half-day event on March 23, which will feature prerecorded presentations and live discussions.
A focus on leadership helps World Campus IST student make a difference
Being a leader is both a goal and a mission that College of Information Sciences and Technology student Daniel Serfass has set out to accomplish. Now student body president for the World Campus Student Government and founder of Penn State World Campus for THON, Serfass is putting his strongest suit into practice.
IST Career Spotlight: Keith Duemling protects and supports health care tech
In his role as director of cybersecurity technology protection for the Cleveland Clinic, Keith Duemling oversees all cybersecurity protection platforms for the clinic’s facilities throughout North America and Europe.