IST students form meaningful connections, celebrate diversity at Tapia
September 27, 2022
Fourteen College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) students attended the three-day ACM Richard Tapia Celebration of Diversity in Computing Conference in Washington, D.C., in e
Strong community support drives success for IST student marshal
August 2, 2022
When James Reese represents the College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) as student marshal at the summer commencement ceremony this month, it will be, in part, thanks to members of the IST community who believed in him.
Heard on Campus: Alumni share diverse perspectives in IST Identity Talks series
June 9, 2022
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
26-year-old IST student to earn second doctorate this spring
May 5, 2022
This weekend, as thousands of Penn Staters earn their degrees, one 26-year-old graduate of the College of Information Sciences and Technology will be presented with not her first, but second, doctorate.
Penn State student-developed app aims to redefine Black motherhood
May 2, 2022
A group of Penn State students is working to support a global initiative to redefine Black motherhood. Blending interdisciplinary expertise from across the University, the students are building a mobile health application designed to support the mental and physical health of Black moms.
Women in IST’s Wiki edit-a-thon aim to narrow the platform’s gender gap
April 26, 2022
A group of eight students in the College of Information Sciences and Technology recently set out to narrow this gender gap on the world’s fifth most popular website by hosting a Wiki edit-a-thon to increase visibility for one of the college’s most prominent female faculty members.
Alumni Achievement Award recipient Noel Claudio inspires IST students
April 22, 2022
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.
Tech designed to aid visually impaired could benefit from human-AI collaboration
April 19, 2022
Remote sighted assistance technology — which connects visually impaired individuals with human agents through a live video call on their smartphones — helps people with low or no vision navigate tasks that require sight.
College of IST names Garraway assistant dean of diversity, equity and inclusion
March 31, 2022
The Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology has named Jocelyn Bennett Garraway assistant dean of diversity, equity and inclusion. Holding three degrees from the University, Bennett Garraway has more than 30 years of experience as a counselor, educator and administrator.
IST Identity Talks series presents ‘Strength in Diversity’ on April 5
March 29, 2022
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.
IST Identity Talks series Feb. 28 presents ‘Women in Tech’
February 16, 2022
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’
February 1, 2022
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.
Happy Valley LaunchBox supports company serving underrepresented students
January 3, 2022
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 Alumni Identity Talks series, 'Military and Veterans in Tech,’ on Nov. 17
November 9, 2021
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
October 29, 2021
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
September 20, 2021
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'
September 10, 2021
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
September 10, 2021
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
September 9, 2021
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
August 31, 2021
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.
Study of police language aims to find patterns that may lead to tragic outcomes
May 25, 2021
With a new grant from the National Institutes of Health, an interdisciplinary team of researchers aims to examine police radio communications to observe what happens during adverse encounters between police officers and male minority youth and study any patterns of interaction that may lead to un
AI-powered software to improve public health outcomes in underserved communities
May 12, 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a struggle for many students. But for Kareem Jelks, the pandemic has fueled his passion to help others, especially those in underserved communities.
New tool could help lessen bias in live television broadcasts
March 18, 2021
From Sunday morning news shows to on-air pregame commentary in sports, live telecasts draw viewers into real-time content on televisions around the world.
Lees establish educational equity scholarship at IST
March 15, 2021
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
March 11, 2021
“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.
IST alumna aims to impact social justice issues through video game design
October 30, 2020
With the video game industry expected to near $200 billion in revenue by 2022, game designers have expanded their reach to interest different types of players.
New app aims to help bring community to underrepresented students
October 30, 2020
Penn State students now have an easier way to connect with campus organizations that match their backgrounds and interests through a new app designed by a team of students, Vybrnt, which was launched to help students from underrepresented backgrounds to build community on campus.
IST students honor diversity in computing at virtual TAPIA conference
October 7, 2020
In mid-September, 17 College of Information Sciences and Technology students attended the annual ACM Richard Tapia Celebration of Diversity in Computing Conference, an event celebrating diversity in the technology field.
Six educational equity scholarships established at the College of IST
October 5, 2020
Six educational equity scholarships have recently been established to benefit students in the College of Information Sciences and Technology.
Dean Andrew Sears establishes educational equity scholarship at College of IST
September 29, 2020
In response to financial challenges students face when pursuing a college degree, and motivated in part by the significant social justice issues across the country, Andrew Sears, dean of the College of Information Sciences and Technology, and his wife, Beth, have made a gift to establish the Andr
Nonprofit provides STEAM education to underserved youth in Atlanta
July 28, 2020
Joe Lewis, a 2010 graduate of the College of Information Sciences and Technology, created a nonprofit organization to give children in underserved communities in Atlanta the opportunity to learn about and experience technology after noticing disparities that existed in the city's school syst
Women across IST at Penn State are creating a 'culture of empowerment'
March 2, 2020
The Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology recently hosted a “Sit With Me” initiative, which was held as part of the global campaign powered by the National Center for Women & Information Technology to recognize and validate the important role women play in creating future
Student who lost his leg in hunting accident has some doors close, others open
January 27, 2020
RJ Shirey, a sophomore in the College of Information Sciences and Technology, overcame life-changing trauma: a gunshot that led to the amputation of his right leg. Today, he uses his disability to benefit the lives of those around him.
First-generation student celebrates success as IST student marshal
December 13, 2019
Since Joselyne Mera Vargas moved to the United States from Ecuador when she was 9 years old, she has developed valuable leadership and communication skills, discovered a passion for data science, and completed a summer internship at Harvard University.