College of IST welcomes two new members to Dean’s Advisory Board
The College of Information Sciences and Technology recently welcomed two new members to its Dean’s Advisory Board: Andy Duffett, senior vice president, Global Revenue Operations at CrowdStrike, and Corey Lee, enterprise security executive for U.S. Education at Microsoft Corporation.
Mentors help first-generation IST alum find the right path
Joel Gill Jr. has established himself in a tech consulting career and has learned from a variety of experiences and mentors.
Arts and Architecture’s fall student marshal is first ever from World Campus
Carly Mojica, from Colorado Springs, is the first-ever Penn State World Campus student to serve as student marshal for the College of Arts and Architecture's commencement ceremony.
Erica Mi named College of IST student marshal for fall 2022
The Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology will honor Schreyer Honors Scholar Erica Mi as student marshal at its fall 2022 commencement, which will be held Saturday, Dec. 17.
On the Bridge — December 2022
A compilation of recent news, highlights, and achievements from the College of Information Sciences and Technology community.
Alumni couple pays Penn State experience forward through endowed IST scholarship
Jason Streeter (class of 2007) and Amanda Brown (class of 2008) have been inspired by their individual Penn State experiences in their motivation to jointly support students at the University.
IST Q&A: Alumna Mary Ward defines data-driven features for iRobot Home app
As a senior digital product manager for the iRobot organization, Mary Ward defines and drives the strategy and personalized data-driven features for the iRobot Home mobile app.
IST Identity Talks series presents ‘Paving the Way for Change’ on Oct. 19
Members of the Penn State community are invited to join the College of Information Sciences and Technology for “IST Identity Talks — Paving the Way for Change,” to be held virtually from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19.
Aspiring professor pursues dual IST graduate degrees
By the time Antonio Girona receives his doctorate degree, which he expects to earn in 2025, he will have been a student in the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) for more than a decade.
Duffetts create IST scholarship to open doors for future cybersecurity leaders
Over two decades ago, when Andy Duffett visited Penn State as a high school student, he was inspired by Jim Thomas, the dean of the then-School of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) that opened its doors in 1999.
FBI cyber squad head gained criminal justice, cybersecurity skills at Penn State
“Never give up.” Those are the driving words that motivated Chris Cope, a Penn State alumnus who has blended his education from the College of Information Sciences and Technology and the College of the Liberal Arts to bring his career full circle.
Heard on Campus: Alumni share diverse perspectives in IST Identity Talks series
More than 40 Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology alumni from underrepresented backgrounds have participated in IST Identity Talks panel conversations, where they shared their unique perspectives and experiences of navigating the significant diversity gap that exists in the t
Mark Campbell named associate vice president for Penn State IT infrastructure
After serving as interim associate vice president for Penn State IT Infrastructure, Mark Campbell has been named to the position permanently, effective June 1.
A flip of a coin leads to lifelong Penn State involvement for IST alumnus
Nikita Page’s decision to attend Penn State was literally left to chance. The now alumnus of the College of Information Sciences and Technology was intent on attending a different university in the region. But his mom suggested that he at least visit Penn State before making his decision.
Alumni Achievement Award recipient Noel Claudio inspires IST students
Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology graduate Noel Claudio was one of 11 prominent young Penn State alumni recognized at the Alumni Achievement Awards Ceremony on March 18.
IST ConnectX
A special shoutout to College of Information Sciences and Technology alumni who returned to Penn State for IST ConnectX and a Happy Valley Networking Social on Friday, March 25. During the day, alumni speakers presented in two different IST classrooms to share their professional experiences
Weebly Founder, IST alumnus David Rusenko speaks on 'Dare to Disrupt' podcast
David Rusenko, founder of Weebly and a 2007 Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology graduate, appears on the latest episode of the "Dare to Disrupt" podcast.
IST Identity Talks series presents ‘Strength in Diversity’ on April 5
Members of the Penn State community are invited to join the College of Information Sciences and Technology for “IST Identity Talks – Strength in Diversity,” to be held virtually from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 5.
11 prominent young Penn Staters to be honored with Alumni Achievement Award
The Penn State Alumni Association will honor 11 prominent young alumni at the Alumni Achievement Awards Ceremony on Friday, March 18. The ceremony will be livestreamed at 6:30 p.m.
IST sets graduates up ‘to do well in life,’ says member of first class
For Maggie Sapovchak, one of the members of the first class of graduates of the then-School of Information Sciences and Technology who earned their degrees in 2003, the impact of being a part of a tight-knit group of students who worked together to grow a program has been life-changing.
IST Identity Talks series Feb. 28 presents ‘Women in Tech’
Members of the Penn State community are invited to join alumni of the College of Information Sciences and Technology for "IST Alumni Identity Talks – Women in Tech," to be held virtually from 6 to 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 28.
IST Identity Talks series Feb. 8 presents, ‘Celebrating Black History’
Members of the Penn State community are invited to join alumni of the College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) for "IST Alumni Identity Talks – Celebrating Black History," to be held virtually from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8.
Alumna promotes privacy and information security at Penn State
Recent World Campus graduate Holly Swires is using the knowledge she gained at Penn State to give back to the University by building forward-thinking privacy and information security programs in her dual roles as chief privacy officer and assistant chief information security officer at Penn State
IST alumnus builds a brand as Pittsburgh food influencer
Alex Goodstein, who graduated from the College of Information Sciences and Technology in 2009, has a palate-pleasing side hustle as a Pittsburgh-area food influencer.
Happy Valley LaunchBox supports company serving underrepresented students
With help from Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank, Joel Sakyi founded Vybrnt, a startup that provides underrepresented students better access to resources and opportunities that help them succeed during their time at college.
IST World Campus graduate, PA Guard captain pays education forward at Penn State
Pennsylvania Army National Guard Capt. Francis Killeen has served in the Army for nearly two decades. After two deployments in Iraq and being promoted to sergeant in 2009, he took a short break from the military then reenlisted in 2013 with the goal of becoming an officer.
College of Information Sciences and Technology honors Military Appreciation Week
During Penn State Military Appreciation Week, and every day, the College of Information Sciences and Technology recognizes and honors the members of the College of Information Sciences and Technology and larger Penn State community who have served or are currently serving in the military, includi
Army SWAT commander draws on IST foundation as military police officer
U.S. Army 1st Lt. Koby Allen is an active-duty SWAT commander and military police officer.
Dual degrees shape military career, lead to accolades for IST World Campus grad
Recent Penn State World Campus graduate Navy Hospital Corpsman Second Class Bryan Hill was beyond appreciative that he was able to participate virtually in his August commencement ceremony from his home in North Carolina.
IST Alumni Identity Talks series, 'Military and Veterans in Tech,’ on Nov. 17
Members of the Penn State community are invited to join the College of Information Sciences and Technology for IST Alumni Identity Talks – Military and Veterans in Tech, to be held virtually from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov.
New IST scholarship honors friendships formed at Penn State
Two College of Information Sciences and Technology alumni recently came together to establish a scholarship in memory of their friend and fellow classmate, Jimmy Lee Brown, who died in 2019.
Alumna-led nonprofit aims to empower female emergency dispatchers
Nearly a quarter of emergency dispatch personnel experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, and the national turnover rate of 911 dispatchers is more than 17%.
IST Alumni Identity Talks series Sept. 15, 'Celebrating Hispanic Heritage'
Members of the Penn State community are invited to join alumni of the College of Information Sciences and Technology for IST Alumni Identity Talks — Celebrating Hispanic Heritage, to be held virtually from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15.
IST alumnus and Latinx workers in tech advocate lands dream job at Twitter
Growing up in Philadelphia, Noel Claudio never thought that it was possible to work for a big social media tech company unless he lived in California or New York.
Overcoming homelessness and hardships to earn a Penn State degree
On his 18th birthday, Joel Seidel became emancipated from his parents and, in turn, homeless. He said Penn State equipped him with the tools and resources he needed to succeed, including support from scholarships.
Alumni sisters experience IST 10 years apart, advocate for diversity in tech
Many alumni can say that the Penn State legacy runs in their family, but few can say that they graduated from the same college as their sibling.
Honor code established at College of IST
The College of Information Sciences and Technology, in collaboration with IST student government, announced the launch of the IST Honor Code.
World Campus IST graduate heads security engineering for Disney+
Jacob Meissner never imagined he’d work in technology after obtaining his bachelor’s degree in English from Penn State.
IST alumnus creates scholarship to honor family legacy
As a member of the College of Information Sciences and Technology’s first graduating class and a long-time alumni volunteer, Steve Pipino has established the Pipino Family Annually Funded Scholarship in the college to benefit first-generation students and students with demonstrated need.
IST experience leads to alumnus’ work exploring breakups in the digital age
After a romantic breakup, there are often decisions to be made regarding the partners’ shared possessions, such as who takes the house and who gets the cat, and who keeps the friends.
After change of course, IST alumnus lands career in academics
When Porter Jenkins came to Penn State to pursue a doctorate in marketing, he never imagined he’d one day have a full-time career in academics, teaching and conducting research on data sciences and machine learning.
Educational equity scholarship honors family legacy for IST alumni couple
For Angela Govila and Ankur Tarnacha, the College of Information Sciences and Technology is the foundation for everything they have. The two first met as students in 2003, and Tarnacha soon after asked Govila out for a cup of coffee. The rest, they say, is history.
Lees establish educational equity scholarship at IST
Corey and Leteace Lee have established an educational equity scholarship in the College of Information Sciences and Technology to support students with financial need who are first-generation or from underrepresented backgrounds.
IST Alumni Identity Talks spark dialogue on diversity between students, alumni
“Be intentional.” “Remember your why.” “Be clear on who you are.” “You’re not alone.” Those were a few of the main takeaways shared by panelists with students during the first IST Alumni Identity Talks event, hosted virtually by the College of Information Sciences and Technology last month.
Student organization IST Diplomats celebrate 10 years
Ten years ago, the IST Diplomats student organization was founded to serve as ambassadors for the College of Information Sciences and Technology, to represent its academic programs, career solutions and student engagement opportunities.
Penn State IT staff inspires a future generation of professionals
Eight information technology professionals representing various domains at Penn State recently came together to educate College of Information Sciences and Technology students about their professions during the college’s IT Career Panel.
Schreyer Scholar alumni build business based on skincare, scents, nostalgia
Asia Grant and Alejandro Cuevas began their friendship when they were members of Penn State’s Presidential Leadership Academy. After graduation, the two founded Redoux, a thriving scent and skincare company.
Penn State alumni invited to participate in Cooking Classic
A series of webinars will bring alumni together to learn cooking skills and raise awareness of students experiencing food insecurity.
Alumnus Jacob Sisko makes an impact through Department of Army civilian career
When Jacob Sisko first accepted his offer from Penn State to study forensic science, he never imagined that he’d one day work for the Department of the Army and its Command, Control, Computers, Communications, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Center.
World Campus graduate overcomes three decades of challenges to get degree
Ryan DeGrendel, 45, first enrolled in college classes while he was still in high school and playing junior hockey in Detroit. Three decades, 17 surgeries and one near-death experience later, he is earning a degree in security and risk analysis through Penn State World Campus.