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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People who distrust fellow humans show greater trust in artificial intelligence
September 19, 2022
A person’s distrust in humans predicts they will have more trust in artificial intelligence’s ability to moderate content online, according to a recently published study. The findings, the researchers say, have practical implications for both designers and users of AI tools in social media.
Students encouraged to apply for AI center affiliate status
September 15, 2022
Penn State’s Center for Socially Responsible Artificial Intelligence is accepting applications for its Student Affiliates Program. Graduate and undergraduate students from all Penn State campuses are eligible to apply. Applications will remain open indefinitely and can be submitted online.
Bill Parquette earns IST’s McMurtry Excellence in Teaching and Learning Award
September 15, 2022
William Parquette, professor of practice in the College of Information Sciences and Technology, was recently named the recipient of the college’s 2022-23 George McMurtry Excellence in Teaching and Learning Award.
Users trust AI as much as humans for flagging problematic content
September 15, 2022
Social media users may trust artificial intelligence — AI — as much as human editors to flag hate speech and harmful content, according to researchers.
IST doctoral student named Scholar of Sexology Fellow by Kinsey Institute
September 12, 2022
Mia Hua, a Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology doctoral student, is the recent recipient of a competitive Scholars of Sexology Fellowship from the Kinsey Institute — a renowned source at Indiana University for critical issues in sexuality, gender and reproduction.
College of IST welcomes 9 new faculty members
September 9, 2022
Nine new full-time faculty members have joined the College of Information Sciences and Technology this year, enhancing the college’s academic programs and strengthening its research portfolio.
New baseball statistic gauges pitcher's strikeout efficiency
September 9, 2022
Baseball teams could soon have a better concept of pitcher strikeout efficiency — particularly when an opposing team’s player is on third base at risk of scoring a run — thanks to a new statistic developed by a Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) student.
Aspiring professor pursues dual IST graduate degrees
September 2, 2022
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
August 31, 2022
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.
A beautiful internship: IST student drives tech design at Estée Lauder Companies
August 30, 2022
Since she was a little girl, Lauren Pearl has had a dream to one day live and work in New York City. She came one step closer to making that dream a reality this summer, through a 10-week internship with the Estée Lauder Companies.
Institute for Computational and Data Sciences opens 2022 Symposium registration
August 30, 2022
Penn State’s Institute for Computational and Data Sciences opened registration for its fall symposium, Oct. 12-14, aimed at exploring the role data science and artificial intelligence plays in creating a sustainable, resilient and equitable future.
Art history, IST receive grant to continue collaborative research project
August 29, 2022
The collaborative research project conducted by the Department of Art History and the College of Information Sciences and Technology, titled “After Constable’s Clouds,” is Phase 2 of “Seeing Constable’s Clouds,” which was supported by a level 1 National Endowment for the Humanities grant.
In the 'spirit': IST intern grows tech, interpersonal skills at Bacardi
August 23, 2022
Ella Maquito spent the summer helping a major spirits brand increase its global reach. As an information technology intern at Bacardi, Maquito worked with the company’s brand homes software on the digital commerce team to conduct user interface and user experience testing.
IST intern analyzes data, informs game plans for Giants' Arizona Complex League
August 19, 2022
College of Information Sciences and Technology senior Mojisoluwa Awe spent her summer as a data analyst for two of the Arizona Complex League affiliate teams of the San Francisco Giants.
IST student gains data privacy training through IAPP internship
August 16, 2022
This summer, College of Information Sciences and Technology senior Parker Kirby had the opportunity to gain hands-on industry training and gain more experience as a data scientist or analyst through his internship with the International Association of Privacy Professionals — the world’s largest i
Deepfakes expose vulnerabilities in certain facial recognition technology
August 11, 2022
Mobile devices use facial recognition technology to help users quickly and securely unlock their phones, make a financial transaction or access medical records.
IST intern fosters data science skills in middle- and high-school AI campers
August 8, 2022
Rising College of Information Sciences and Technology senior Nathan Reilly has taken his data sciences skills and knowledge to summer camp.
IST intern builds career skills, improves community in Lowe’s summer program
August 5, 2022
As a software engineering intern at Lowe’s this summer, College of Information Sciences and Technology student Hannah Kern has been exposed to a number of new experiences and technologies while developing code — including learning new computer programming languages.
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.
IST student aims to improve airport experience for travelers with disabilities
August 1, 2022
Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology student Veronica Jenkins recently worked with real-world data to conceptualize improvements in airport operations for individuals with disabilities.
Researchers get $2M NSF grant to develop Africa water-food-energy network
July 29, 2022
A team of Penn State researchers has received a $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation to lead a three-institution team developing the “SustainFood Network,” which will link scientists, communities and policymakers in addressing challenges at the nexus of water, energy and food sec
IST intern aids in SiriusXM/Pandora user experience research
July 27, 2022
Through a summer internship with SiriusXM/Pandora, Renkai Ma is studying how music listeners and creators interact with the company’s product features.
IST surpasses fundraising goal in 'Greater Penn State' campaign
July 25, 2022
The Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology has raised $20,123,741 and helped the University achieve record-breaking success in its recently concluded campaign, “A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence.”
IST intern assures tech systems quality at CVS Health
July 25, 2022
Through her major of information sciences and technology with a focus on design and development, rising senior Rachael Gray has gained a deep understanding of core information technologies and how they can be used in practical applications in a diverse number of industries.
Seed grants to fund projects that tackle huge scientific, societal challenges
July 21, 2022
Penn State’s Institute for Computational and Data Sciences awarded this year’s seed grant program has awarded funds to Penn State scientists.
College of IST professor earns fourth consecutive Amazon Research Award
July 20, 2022
James Wang, distinguished professor in the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology, has received an Amazon Research Award to advance his team's work on machine learning-based, emotion modeling that is geared toward enhancing the interaction between humans and artificial intellig
Good, bad, fair: New algorithms could help fairly distribute goods or chores
July 1, 2022
When organizations need to divvy up indivisible items among multiple parties with different needs and preferences, how can they ensure that everyone gets their fair share?
IST students aid in development of AI mental health screening app
July 1, 2022
Two College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) students are part of an interdisciplinary team working to create a health care application that can assist doctors with diagnosing schizophrenia in remote regions.
Penn State announces non-tenure-line faculty promotions, effective July 1, 2022
June 30, 2022
The following is a list of non-tenure-line faculty promotions at Penn State, effective July 1, 2022.
On the Bridge – June 2022
June 30, 2022
A compilation of recent news, highlights and achievements from the College of Information Sciences and Technology community.
FBI cyber squad head gained criminal justice, cybersecurity skills at Penn State
June 30, 2022
“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.
Six named 2022-23 Big Ten Academic Alliance Academic Leadership Program Fellows
June 29, 2022
The Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) Academic Leadership Program will include six new fellows from Penn State in 2022-23. The BTAA is the academic consortium of the Big Ten universities and the United States’ preeminent model for effective collaboration among research universities.
Why state funding matters: Affordability of in-state tuition is 'life-changing'
June 22, 2022
State funding allows Penn State to offer an in-state tuition discount that saves the average Pennsylvania resident student more than $13,000 per year. For student Nora O’Toole, attending Penn State wouldn’t have been possible without the affordability of in-state tuition.
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
Sharing source-backed information can help reduce COVID-19 misinformation online
June 9, 2022
If you see fake news about COVID-19 circulating on your social media feeds, say something — if you have a reliable source to back it up.
Real-time, accurate virus detection method could help fight next pandemic
June 2, 2022
A method of highly accurate and sensitive virus identification using Raman spectroscopy, a portable virus capture device and machine learning could enable real-time virus detection and identification to help battle future pandemics, according to a team of researchers led by Penn State.
DoD honors rising second-year IST, Schreyer student with SMART scholarship
May 31, 2022
Sydney Vachino, a rising second-year Schreyer Honors Scholar studying cybersecurity analytics and operations in the College of Information Sciences and Technology, has been awarded a Department of Defense Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship.
SSRI funding boosts interdisciplinary research
May 31, 2022
Three Penn State research teams were recently awarded Social Science Research Institute (SSRI) pilot funding to foster interdisciplinary research that addresses human and social problems.
IST assistant professor Hadi Hosseini receives NSF CAREER award
May 23, 2022
Hadi Hosseini, assistant professor in the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology, is the recipient of a 2022 Faculty Early Career Development award from the National Science Foundation, which supports junior faculty members who exemplify the role of teacher-scholar through outs
IST announces 2022 Dean's Circle of Teaching Excellence recipients
May 19, 2022
Five faculty members in the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology have been selected as recipients of the college’s 2022 Dean’s Circle of Teaching Excellence award.
Mark Campbell named associate vice president for Penn State IT infrastructure
May 18, 2022
After serving as interim associate vice president for Penn State IT Infrastructure, Mark Campbell has been named to the position permanently, effective June 1.
Peer-led learning: IST course enriches academic experience
May 10, 2022
After positive experiences as learning assistants in the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology, Erica Mi and Carrigan Morabito knew
Institute for Computational and Data Sciences names new associate director
May 10, 2022
Penn State’s Institute for Computational and Data Sciences announced that Mahmut Kandemir, distinguished professor of electrical engineering and computer science and one of the world’s foremost experts on cyberinfrastructure, has been named an associate director of the institute.
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 College of IST experts showcased at 2022 CHI Conference
May 2, 2022
The Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology is represented across multiple areas of the 2022 Association for Computing Machinery’s CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, the premier international conference of human-computer interaction.
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.
College of IST announces spring 2022 student marshals
April 29, 2022
The Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology will honor Schreyer Honors Scholar Kaitlyn Bridge as student marshal and Charles Hickey as the ROTC student marshal at spring 2022 commencement, which will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 7, in the Pegula Ice Arena.
A flip of a coin leads to lifelong Penn State involvement for IST alumnus
April 28, 2022
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.
IST marks campaign achievements for ‘A Greater Penn State’
April 27, 2022
As the University celebrates the success of its current fundraising campaign, “A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence,” the College of Information Sciences and Technology is thanking the 769 donors who have supported its students and programs since the
Penn State Smeal team wins 2022 KPMG Ideation Challenge
April 27, 2022
A team of four Penn State Smeal College of Business students and another team member from the College of Information Sciences and Technology partnered to win the 2022 KPMG Ideation Challenge.