Undergraduate Student News

IST intern provides end-user IT support for USDA Agricultural Research Service

IST intern provides end-user IT support for USDA Agricultural Research Service

Thanks to established capabilities with IT from personal experiences, previous internships, and things learned in the classroom at the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology, rising senior Bailey Rumford landed a summer internship providing end-user IT support at the Agricultur

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Penn State Berks takes first place in the Anthem AI hackathon

Penn State Berks takes first place in the Anthem AI hackathon

The Penn State Berks Data Lions team recently took first place in the Anthem AI ‘Substance Use Disorder and Whole Health of the Person’ Hackathon, a competition to identify risk factors related to substance use, and conditions indicative of underlying substance abuse.

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Counting pandemic behaviors to inform public health decisions

Counting pandemic behaviors to inform public health decisions

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many significant changes to people's lives, but one of the most visible signals of this has been the proliferation of masks and other face-coverings in public spaces.

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IST intern analyzes data to help inform operations at Bank of America

IST intern analyzes data to help inform operations at Bank of America

After starting a company whose proceeds benefited Venezuelans living in poverty and working in a number of startups in various industries, College of Information Sciences and Technology student Izaak Lustgarten landed a summer position with Bank of America as a global quantitative analytics inter

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IST intern coordinates network infrastructure installation at U.S. hospitals

IST intern coordinates network infrastructure installation at U.S. hospitals

Like many interns over the past 16 months, Penn State senior Katie Byrd expected her internship with Universal Health Services Inc. to be entirely virtual.

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Alayna Spriggle selected as IST college marshal for summer commencement

Alayna Spriggle selected as IST college marshal for summer commencement

The College of Information Sciences and Technology will honor Alayna Spriggle as student marshal for its summer 2021 commencement, which will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 14, at the Bryce Jordan Center.

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Intern interprets big data and builds entrepreneurial skills

Intern interprets big data and builds entrepreneurial skills

Shubham Mishra, a rising sophomore studying data sciences in the College of Information Sciences and Technology, believed that if he was hardworking and willing to find an internship, he could be hired even though he had only just completed his first year at Penn State.

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IST instructor keeps students engaged remotely with interpretive discussions

IST instructor keeps students engaged remotely with interpretive discussions

How does modern digital technology shape our world and our perceptions? That is a question investigated by students in an emerging issues and technologies course this spring in the College of Information Sciences and Technology.

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Busy student's patience leads to another valuable opportunity

Busy student's patience leads to another valuable opportunity

Erica Mi, a rising junior at Penn State, is working for IBM this summer as part of a project management internship — the latest endeavor she’s exploring during an ambitious college career.

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IST intern leverages computer vision to inform PepsiCo manufacturing operations

IST intern leverages computer vision to inform PepsiCo manufacturing operations

When Nia Anderson started thinking of career paths as she nears graduation, she saw herself as a business analyst.

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Student creates software solutions to help users be more efficient

Penn State senior Jason Nucciarone is using the skills he gained through the human centered design and development program at the College of Information Sciences and Technology to make technology more efficient for users.

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Inclusive social network created by alumna to empower young women leaders

Inclusive social network created by alumna to empower young women leaders

Penn State alumna Jayme Anne Goldberg is the founder of Consequential Flowers, a social media network designed to help female students and young professionals develop impactful leadership skills.

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2021 Guentter Outstanding Undergraduate Thesis Award finalists, winner named

Penn State University Libraries and the Schreyer Honors College recognized the 10th annual finalist presentations and winner of the recently endowed Robert F. Guentter Jr. Outstanding Undergraduate Thesis Award on May 6, immediately following the three finalists’ remote presentations.

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AI-powered software to improve public health outcomes in underserved communities

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.

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Erin Flannery to represent College of IST as student marshal

Erin Flannery to represent College of IST as student marshal

For College of Information Sciences and Technology student marshal Erin Flannery, Penn State gave her the opportunity to explore a number of diverse degree pathways and research activities.

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Shortened internship leads to rewarding gig archiving pandemic perspectives

Shortened internship leads to rewarding gig archiving pandemic perspectives

Like many college students across the country, Nick Alico saw his summer internship cut short last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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Subscription database for dancers pitch wins 2021 IdeaMakers Challenge

The winning idea in the 2021 IdeaMakers Challenge, as part of Penn State Startup Week sponsored by PNC, was a digital subscription service to a database that helps dancers find hundreds of programs, schools and jobs to develop their skills.

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IST Alumni Identity Talks spark dialogue on diversity between students, alumni

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.

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Penn State IST course teaches theory behind COVID-19 public health guidelines

Penn State IST course teaches theory behind COVID-19 public health guidelines

Wash your hands. Stay six feet apart. Wear a mask. These are the messages that have been conveyed by public health officials for the past year to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.

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Student organization IST Diplomats celebrate 10 years

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.

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Penn State IT staff inspires a future generation of professionals

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.

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The tech that drives THON

The tech that drives THON

THON 2021 will be held primarily virtually for the first-time in its nearly 50-year history — making the committee that plans and manages technology for THON more essential than ever.

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Information sciences and technology senior fulfills dream of working at Apple

As a lifelong consumer of Apple products, College of Information Sciences and Technology student Logan Pratt also developed a dream of one day working for the company.

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Summer program to offer research experience on machine learning in cybersecurity

Summer program to offer research experience on machine learning in cybersecurity

Undergraduate students interested in research surrounding the topic of machine learning in cybersecurity are invited to apply for the 2021 NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates Site Program, funded by the National Science Foundation.

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Penn State vies in finals of international collegiate cybersecurity competition

Penn State vies in finals of international collegiate cybersecurity competition

For the second consecutive year, Penn State advanced to the international finals of the Collegiate Penetration Testing Competition, the world’s largest offensive-based collegiate cybersecurity competition.

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Kohl's Business with Integrity Case Competition draws 26 teams

A team made up of three students from the Penn State Smeal College of Business and another from the College of Information Sciences and Technology collaborated to win the top prize in the Kohl’s Busines with Integrity Case Competition.

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Taking flight: IST student earns pilot’s license during pandemic

When the COVID-19 pandemic unexpectedly turned College of Information Sciences and Technology student Trevor Baptiste’s summer internship into a virtual experience, he used his newly found time to achieve his dream: becoming a pilot.

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World Campus graduate overcomes three decades of challenges to get degree

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.

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Alumnus' software gift to help train Penn State cybersecurity students

Mark Viglione, a 2015 graduate and founder of Enigma Networkz, has finalized a software licensing agreement with the University to make his company’s security information and event management platform, Enigma Glass, available to students at all Penn State campuses.

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College of Information Sciences and Technology names fall student marshal

College of Information Sciences and Technology names fall student marshal

The College of Information Sciences and Technology will honor Kylie Dunmire as student marshal at fall 2020 commencement, which will be held virtually at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19.

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Fighting food insecurity: Student leads Penn State Lion’s Pantry

Fighting food insecurity: Student leads Penn State Lion’s Pantry

In a recent survey at Penn State, nearly a quarter of students said that they have decreased the size of their meals, or have skipped meals altogether, because they didn’t have enough money to eat.

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Former cyber-school student has advice for online learning success

For many residential Penn State students, leaving campus and navigating the world of online education was a new concept, and an adjustment.

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IST student organization aids in mobile design for campus dining app

IST student organization aids in mobile design for campus dining app

Students across Penn State can now easily access information about on-campus dining options thanks, in part, to the work of members of the User Experience Professional Association (UXPA).

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New app aims to help bring community to underrepresented students

New app aims to help bring community to underrepresented students

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.

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IST students and faculty 'build together' at Grace Hopper Celebration

IST students and faculty 'build together' at Grace Hopper Celebration

Held virtually this year from Sept.

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'Staturdays': Brothers analyze data behind college football in weekly podcast

'Staturdays': Brothers analyze data behind college football in weekly podcast

With the return of Penn State football this weekend, brothers and Penn Staters Drew and Kyle Bennison are poised and ready to help fans learn more about the science behind the game through a weekly podcast.

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Student makes his mark through emcee duties during Homecoming

Student makes his mark through emcee duties during Homecoming

While this year’s Homecoming events are different from past years, one thing hasn’t changed: the positivity and excitement that Homecoming emcee Brett Randby has for the event.

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IST students honor diversity in computing at virtual TAPIA conference

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.

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IST cybersecurity program helps meet a global security demand

IST cybersecurity program helps meet a global security demand

The College of IST is helping to fill a global demand through the cybersecurity analytics and operations bachelor’s degree program, launched in 2017.

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Students use AI to unlock factors that may predict success in remote learning

Students use AI to unlock factors that may predict success in remote learning

Penn State students involved in the Nittany AI Associates program, working alongside TEAMology — a startup exploring emotional health as a way to enhance a child’s ability to succeed in school — explored best pathways in the use of artificial intelligence to test resilience in students learning r

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Six educational equity scholarships established at the College of IST

Six educational equity scholarships established at the College of IST

Six educational equity scholarships have recently been established to benefit students in the College of Information Sciences and Technology.

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Four student teams use AI for good to win 2020 Nittany AI Challenge

Nyansapo, OpenVessel, AI Guide and Cyclone are the winners of the 2020 Nittany AI Challenge.

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Dean Andrew Sears establishes educational equity scholarship at College of IST

Dean Andrew Sears establishes educational equity scholarship at College of IST

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

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Summer internship aids small businesses struggling during pandemic

Summer internship aids small businesses struggling during pandemic

As the daughter of small-business owners, College of IST student Erica Mi knew the challenges these companies were facing firsthand.

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IST research aims to understand a global pandemic

IST research aims to understand a global pandemic

Since the novel coronavirus began its spread earlier this year, College of Information Sciences and Technology faculty and students have been innovative in addressing a variety of challenges related to COVID-19, including how to equip researchers with the most up-to-date information, how to educa

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Summer Founders program showcases record number of teams

Invent Penn State’s 2020 Summer Founders program, a 13-week student startup accelerator, wrapped up Aug. 12 in a virtual showcase after funding seven student-startup teams with $15,000 each to work on their startup, nonprofit, or social good full time over the summer.

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The symbol of our best: Penn State Nittany Lion mascot revealed

For three years, Class of 2020 graduate Zach Sowa lived a double life: He was a College of Information Sciences and Technology student and the face of Penn State — the Nittany Lion mascot. How did he balance his time and manage to keep one of the University's best-kept secrets?

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Student startup accelerates advancements of augmented reality

Two Penn State students have co-founded Xora, a platform aimed at allowing more people to create augmented reality experiences by making them easier to develop, and one of seven startups selected to participate in this year's Summer Founders Program.

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Seven IST students chosen for Department of Defense Cyber Scholarship Program

Seven students in the College of Information Sciences and Technology have been chosen for the prestigious Department of Defense Cyber Scholarship Program in the 2020 cycle.

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Program introduces students to machine learning and security research

Program introduces students to machine learning and security research

This summer, three undergraduate students from three higher education institutions got an exclusive, in-depth introduction to research topics focused on machine learning in cybersecurity through the Research Experiences for Undergraduates site program sponsored by National Science of Foundation a

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