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.
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Sending a 'We Are!' to these Penn Staters
September 27, 2023
As part of our regular “We Are!” feature, we recognize 12 Penn Staters who have gone above and beyond what’s asked for them in their work at the University.
Center for Socially Responsible AI invites seed funding proposals
September 20, 2023
The Center for Socially Responsible Artificial Intelligence invites short proposals for its annual seed funding program. Penn State faculty are can submit proposals for research that advance the center's mission of promoting, practicing and studying socially responsible ways of using, building and deploying AI technology.
IST researcher among recipients of $29 million fusion energy sciences grant
September 15, 2023
Romit Maulik, assistant professor in the Penn State College of IST, is one of 19 recipients funded with this U.S. Department of Energy grant and will explore machine learning for improved nuclear fusion disruption mitigation.
Human abstractness may make smart contracts smarter, researchers report
September 13, 2023
Smart contracts, or computer programs that automatically execute certain agreed-upon actions when agreed-upon conditions are met, are considered safer for online transactions than traditional contracts, but they are not error-proof. Researchers from the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology were part of a multi-institution effort to make smart contracts easier to develop, easier to verify and, ultimately, safer to use.
New filtering approach may improve online health information experience
September 6, 2023
A Penn State research team has proposed a new information-filtering approach for predicting future health information needs of online community participants as they move through different stages in their illness. They published their approach in the IEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics.
College of Information Sciences and Technology welcomes nine new faculty members
August 29, 2023
The Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology has welcomed nine new faculty members in 2023. The two tenure-line members and seven non-tenure-line members represent the college’s four research areas: data sciences and artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, privacy and security, and social and organizational informatics.
IST data sciences student Carson Pedaci is Penn State Blue Band’s new drum major
August 28, 2023
Carson Pedaci, a third-year student in the College of Information Sciences and Technology, is the new drum major for the Penn State Blue Band. In an interview with IST, he discussed his musical background, his decision to study data sciences and the drum major’s trademark flip.
IST promotes STEM to thousands at National Girl Scout Convention
August 25, 2023
The Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology hosted a STEM activity booth at the 56th triennial National Girl Scout Convention at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, last month.
College of IST student interns share experiences, offer internship advice
August 24, 2023
Four students from the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology shared their summer internship experiences. All undergraduate students in the college are required to complete at least one internship before graduation.
Presidential Leadership Academy announces 2023 cohort of students
August 15, 2023
Penn State’s Presidential Leadership Academy (PLA) has selected its new cohort of 30 exceptional second-year students. It is the 14th group of new PLA members since 2009 when the academy was founded by alumni Edward R. and Helen S. Hintz.
Alumna pays it forward through endowed IST scholarship
August 14, 2023
Penn State alumna Jen Romano has made a commitment to establish the Jennifer Romano Dean’s Advisory Board Matching Scholarship in the College of Information Sciences and Technology.
New course examines opportunities, challenges, concerns around generative AI
August 1, 2023
“Emerging Technologies in Popular Culture,” a new course offered by the Penn State College of Information Systems and Technology, invites undergraduates to explore the questions, opportunities and challenges related to generative artificial intelligence.
Sending a ‘We Are!’ to these Penn Staters
July 31, 2023
As part of our regular “We Are!” feature, we recognize nine Penn Staters who have gone above and beyond what’s asked of them in their work at the University.
Media Mention: 'Lew-Port graduate named interim dean of Penn State school'
July 31, 2023
Where: Yahoo! News, “Lew-Port graduate named interim dean of Penn State school”
Who: Andrea Tapia, associate dean for research in the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST)
College of Information Sciences and Technology names student marshal
July 24, 2023
The Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) has named its student marshal for summer 2023. Tessa Beauchat, a human-centered design and development student and Schreyer Honors College Scholar, will lead her IST classmates into the University's commencement ceremony on Aug. 12 in the Bryce Jordan Center at University Park
Media Mention: ‘AI Will Heighten Cybersecurity Risks for RIA’s’
July 19, 2023
Where: WealthManagement.com, “AI Will Heighten Cybersecurity Risks for RIAs”
Who: Shomir Wilson, assistant professor in the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST)
Media Mention: ‘Opinion: Mark Zuckerberg’s family photo raises this crucial question’
July 19, 2023
Where: CNN, “Opinion: Mark Zuckerberg’s family photo raises this crucial question”
Who: Priya Kumar, assistant professor in the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST)
Carleen Maitland named interim associate dean for research in the College of IST
July 13, 2023
Carleen Maitland, professor in the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology, has been named interim associate dean for research, effective Aug. 1.
Renaissance Fund selects Edgar and Barbara Farmer as 2023 honorees
July 12, 2023
As Penn State’s Renaissance Fund celebrates its 47th year of recognizing outstanding community members and helping students in need, the Renaissance Fund Committee has selected local community leaders and education pioneers Edgar and Barbara Farmer as its 2023 honorees. A reception in the Farmers’ honor will be held on Nov. 1.
Mary Beth Rosson, long-time leader in the College of IST, retires
July 12, 2023
Mary Beth Rosson, professor in the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology, retired on June 30. Rosson served in many leadership roles throughout her career with the University.
Andrea Tapia named interim dean of College of IST
July 10, 2023
Andrea Tapia, associate dean for research and professor in the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST), has been named interim dean for the college, effective Aug. 1. She will assume the role following the departure of Andrew Sears, as announced on June 28.
Lynette Yarger named full-time associate dean in Schreyer Honors College
July 6, 2023
Penn State’s Schreyer Honors College has promoted Lynette Yarger to full-time associate dean for equity and inclusion as of July 1. Prior to that date, the professor of information sciences and technology had filled the role on a part-time basis.
College of IST Dean Andrew Sears announces departure
June 28, 2023
Andrew Sears, dean of the College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST), has announced his departure from the University, effective July 31. Sears will assume the position of dean of the Syracuse University School of Information Studies (iSchool) on Aug. 1.
Alumnus honors parents through endowed IST scholarship
June 28, 2023
Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology alumnus Colin Murphy, class of 2003, recently made a commitment to establish the Richard and Veronica Murphy Dean's Advisory Board Matching Scholarship in honor of his mother and in memory of his father. The gift will be matched by a fund supported by members of the IST advisory board.
Penn State security center announces 2023 grant recipients
June 21, 2023
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
June 20, 2023
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
June 20, 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
June 20, 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
June 20, 2023
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
June 15, 2023
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
June 15, 2023
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
June 12, 2023
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 A.I.
June 7, 2023
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 AI
June 7, 2023
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
June 7, 2023
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
June 7, 2023
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’
May 31, 2023
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
May 30, 2023
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
May 17, 2023
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
May 16, 2023
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
May 15, 2023
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
May 9, 2023
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
May 6, 2023
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
May 5, 2023
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
May 3, 2023
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
April 28, 2023
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
April 26, 2023
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
April 25, 2023
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
April 24, 2023
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
April 21, 2023
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.”