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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Bachelor's degree program, finance instructor receive regional awards from UPCEA
October 12, 2020
A new Penn State online bachelor’s degree program and a Penn State finance professor have been recognized with awards from the Mid-Atlantic Region of UPCEA, a leading higher education association.
Student makes his mark through emcee duties during Homecoming
October 12, 2020
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.
Adapted teaching should continue in new post-pandemic normal, researchers say
October 12, 2020
According to researchers at Penn State’s College of Information Sciences and Technology, a new, post-pandemic normal is likely to emerge in higher education.
University of Chicago Press publishes book by Stuart Selber
October 12, 2020
Stuart Selber, associate professor of English at Penn State, has published a book titled “Institutional Literacies: Engaging Academic IT Contexts for Writing and Communication” (University of Chicago Press).
Penn State SBDC program to help businesses protect their data, privacy and tech
October 9, 2020
In recognition of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the Penn State Small Business Development Center is partnering with the Harrisburg LaunchBox to host a free, virtual event, “Cybersecurity: Safeguarding Your Small Business," on Oct. 15.
IST doctoral students receive IBM Ph.D. Fellowship Award
October 8, 2020
Graduate students Yueqi Chen and Wenbo Guo, both doctoral candidates in the College of Information Sciences and Technology, have earned the IBM Ph.D. Fellowship award in recognition and support of their work in cybersecurity.
Data Science Community discussion to focus on machine learning in education
October 7, 2020
Penn State community members interested in data science are invited to the next Data Science Community meeting — scheduled for 1:30 to 2:30 on Monday, Oct. 12 — which will be a group discussion on the use of machine learning to improve learning analytics.
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.
IST cybersecurity program helps meet a global security demand
October 7, 2020
The College of IST is helping to fill a global demand through the cybersecurity analytics and operations bachelor’s degree program, launched in 2017.
Students use AI to unlock factors that may predict success in remote learning
October 6, 2020
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
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.
Panel to discuss using artificial intelligence to promote scientific discovery
October 5, 2020
A panel of Penn State researchers will offer insights into how researchers can tap artificial intelligence — AI — to be a powerful tool for scientific discovery.
NASA Pa. Space Grant accepting undergraduate research internship applications
October 2, 2020
The NASA Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium is currently accepting applications to its undergraduate research internship programs. The programs offer first-year and minority students a two-semester, faculty-mentored internship in a research laboratory at University Park.
Researchers aim to motivate family conversations about health
September 29, 2020
If you haven’t recently talked with your family about health topics like sleep or medication, you’re not alone, according to a study by researchers in Penn State's College of Information Sciences and Technology.
Four student teams use AI for good to win 2020 Nittany AI Challenge
September 29, 2020
Nyansapo, OpenVessel, AI Guide and Cyclone are the winners of the 2020 Nittany AI Challenge.
Oct. 5 researcher panel to discuss AI for predictive science
September 29, 2020
The Institute for Computational and Data Sciences is hosting a panel discussion with researchers from four Penn State colleges who will be discussing their work and experience using artificial intelligence, as well as some ethical considerations.
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
Summer internship aids small businesses struggling during pandemic
September 24, 2020
As the daughter of small-business owners, College of IST student Erica Mi knew the challenges these companies were facing firsthand.
IST researchers exploit vulnerabilities of AI-powered game bots
September 23, 2020
Researchers in the College of Information Sciences and Technology have designed an algorithm that was trained to defeat a world-class bot — an AI-driven program that plays on behalf of a human — in the award-winning computer game StarCraft II.
Wastewater sampling may give advanced warning of potential COVID-19 outbreaks
September 20, 2020
Wastewater sampling for coronavirus on campus and in the surrounding community could alert University decision makers to a potential outbreak several days before individuals exhibit symptoms of an infection.
IST alumnus helps drive a major city's data during COVID-19
September 18, 2020
As chief data officer for the City and County of San Francisco, Jason Lally carries the daily responsibility to help each of the city’s approximately 50 departments make the best use of its data. And that responsibility becomes especially critical in the middle of a global pandemic.
IST research aims to understand a global pandemic
September 16, 2020
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
Study reveals design flaws of chatbot-based symptom-checker apps
September 16, 2020
Millions of people turn to their mobile devices when seeking medical advice. They’re able to share their symptoms and receive potential diagnoses through chatbot-based symptom-checker (CSC) apps. But how do these apps compare to a trip to the doctor’s office?
Artificial intelligence takes center stage at Nittany AI Challenge Celebration
September 10, 2020
The Penn State community is invited to virtually attend the Nittany AI Challenge Celebration, where nine student teams will present their minimum viable product for a chance to share in the remaining pool of $25,000 in funding.
NSF-funded study to examine human-punishment interaction in online communities
September 9, 2020
With a new grant, Yubo Kou, assistant professor of information sciences and technology, will examine how users of online community platforms experience punishments in various forms, such as chat restriction and account suspension, and what can be done to help those punished users, through his aim
IST alumna Isabella Webster named 2020-21 Young Alumni Ambassador
September 7, 2020
Isabella Webster, a 2020 graduate of the College of Information Sciences and Technology, was heavily engaged on campus during her time at Penn State — with leadership roles in Homecoming, Movin’ On, and the University Park Undergraduate Association.
Space Grant accepting grant applications for education, research and outreach
September 3, 2020
The NASA Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium (PSGC) is accepting applications for its 2020-21 competitive mini-grant program. The program supports and enhances science and engineering education, research and outreach.
Summer Founders program showcases record number of teams
September 1, 2020
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.
Internationally recognized human-computer interaction expert joins IST faculty
August 31, 2020
Shaowen Bardzell, professor of information sciences and technology, has joined the College of Information Sciences and Technology faculty this fall.
Alumna works behind the scenes at fast-food company on third-party integration
August 31, 2020
The last few months of pandemic-stricken quarantine have been anything but monotonous for 2013 Penn State alumna Lindsay Langley, as she has been staying busy with two new roles: working virtually in a new position at a new company and becoming a first-time mother.
Art history, IST faculty win NEH grant to use computer-aided image analysis
August 28, 2020
Elizabeth Mansfield, professor and head of the Department of Art History, and James Wang, professor of information sciences and technology, have received a Digital Humanities Advancement Grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities for a project that will use computer-aided image analysis
IST research well-represented at Knowledge Discovery in Databases conference
August 28, 2020
The College of Information Sciences and Technology was well-represented at the 2020 ACM Knowledge Discovery in Databases Conference, held virtually Aug. 23-27.
Security center announces Fall 2020 Grant Program
August 27, 2020
The Penn State Center for Security Research and Education is announcing its Fall 2020 Grant Program to support security-related scholarship and educational programs at Penn State. University faculty and researchers are eligible to apply by Nov. 2.
The symbol of our best: Penn State Nittany Lion mascot revealed
August 26, 2020
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?
Siblings pursue parallel doctoral degrees
August 20, 2020
Many students follow in their siblings’ footsteps when attending Penn State, but few share their graduate experience simultaneously.
College of IST welcomes 10 new faculty members this fall
August 19, 2020
Ten new faculty members will join the College of Information Sciences and Technology for the 2020-21 academic year.
Student startup accelerates advancements of augmented reality
August 18, 2020
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.
Impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on increasing privacy risks
August 17, 2020
Penn State researchers have observed that social media users who may be looking for ways to stay connected during isolation appear to be sharing more personal information online.
Multi-university grant extended to advance adaptive cyber defense research
August 14, 2020
A new Army Research Office grant will support efforts to combat cyberattacks by dynamically changing attack surfaces and system configurations, making it more difficult for attackers and providing insights about their methods.
Seven IST students chosen for Department of Defense Cyber Scholarship Program
August 14, 2020
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.
An AI algorithm to help identify homeless youth at risk of substance abuse
August 12, 2020
An artificial intelligence algorithm developed by researchers at the College of Information Sciences and Technology could help predict susceptibility to substance use disorder among young homeless individuals, and suggest personalized rehabilitation programs for highly susceptible homeless youth.
2019-20 Teaching and Learning with Technology Faculty Fellows project wrap-up
August 11, 2020
Last academic year, four Penn State instructors worked with teams from Teaching and Learning with Technology (TLT) to enhance the spaces where students learn.
Program introduces students to machine learning and security research
August 10, 2020
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
Penn State junior Jessica Strait named Cargill Global Scholar
August 7, 2020
Jessica Strait, a Penn State junior studying Applied Data Sciences, has earned a spot in the 2020 Cargill Global Scholars program.
Candice Sheaffer named College of IST student marshal for summer commencement
August 7, 2020
The College of Information Sciences and Technology has named Candice Sheaffer as student marshal for the University’s summer 2020 commencement. Sheaffer will earn her degree in security and risk analysis, information and cyber security option, through Penn State World Campus.
IST professor forges partnership with University of Auckland faculty
August 6, 2020
Following his trip last summer to Kazakhstan, Professor of Information Sciences and Technology Alan Peslak and a contingent of University representatives traveled to New Zealand this past winter to engage in a development workshop with faculty members from the University of Auckland.
Associate dean for undergraduate and graduate studies hired in College of IST
August 4, 2020
Jeffrey Bardzell has been named associate dean for undergraduate and graduate studies in the College of Information Sciences and Technology, effective Aug. 1.
IST alumnus, student partner for virtual pet-adoption-internship experience
July 30, 2020
When College of Information Sciences and Technology alumnus Kurt Heslop needed to update the website for an Oregon-based animal shelter, for which he serves on the board, he sought out a Penn State student to help complete the task.
Building an image classifier to aid in disaster response
July 28, 2020
This spring, students in the data sciences capstone course at the College of Information Sciences and Technology worked with a team of MIT Lincoln Laboratory Beaver Works researchers to make real-world contributions toward improving image classifiers for disaster response.
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