IST Identity Talks: Strength in Diversity
Date & Time: April 22, 2022 from 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Location: Zoom
Meet College of IST alumni in this panel discussion about how diversity and lived experiences can be a strength in your career journey.
Panelists
Megan Costello ’08
Megan Costello, Esq. is an assistant teaching professor at the College of IST. Megan holds a J.D. from the University of New Hampshire School of Law (formerly, the Franklin Pierce Law Center). She graduated from Penn State, magna cum laude, in Information Sciences and Technology with minors in Security and Risk Analysis and English. Megan brings her legal background to the classroom, where she teaches a wide array of classes in technology law, privacy, cybersecurity, and entrepreneurship. She likewise speaks and regularly publishes on cyberlaw, intellectual property, entrepreneurship, and geek-culture related topics.
Nikita Page ’17
Nikita Page earned his bachelor’s degree from the College of IST in 2017 and now is based out of the greater New York metropolitan area, where he works as a technology risk professional for Microsoft and a music production entrepreneur. Over the last five years, his Penn State education effectively prepared him to work across a variety of industries and geographic regions, both domestically and internationally. Originally from Ukraine, Nikita is passionate about implementing a global and inclusive perspective for all the projects of his portfolio.
Joel Sakyi '20
Joel Sakyi is a Systems Administrator at ValidaTek, Inc, based in McLean, Virginia, where he manages information systems as a contractor for the Department of Defense. Prior to his graduation, he launched Vybrnt, a startup company that aided underrepresented students in connecting with organizations, finding resources, and forming mentoring relationships. He became a participant of the Invent Penn State's Summer Founders Program and released their mobile app in October 2020.
Sara Weston '05
Sara Weston is the founder and executive director of 911der Women, Inc. (pronounced 9-1-wonder women), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation with a mission to empower and provide tools for women in public safety. She has been a consultant for 911 technology systems for the past 17 years where she works on federal projects and with states on planning, procuring and implementing Next Generation 911 systems. Sara is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and holds the Emergency Number Professional certification through the National Emergency Number Association.
Our events and programs are open to all students regardless of sex, gender, sexual orientation, race, or any other protected class. The College of Information Sciences and Technology is committed to building a community of belonging for all.