Mentoring and Engagement
Alumni and advisory board members were actively involved on campus this year, providing their expertise to current students through a variety of events and initiatives.
There are so many ways alumni and friends can support and inspire IST students.
Become a student mentor or speak in an IST classroom. Assist with student recruiting or connect with one of the college’s twenty student organizations. Participate in alumni career panels and career-related workshops. Host students at your organization or provide internship opportunities for them. Join the IST Alumni Society Board to help shape the future of the college.
Check out some of the programs IST alumni and friends supported this year, and tell us how you want to be involved by completing the form below.
IST students at the Be You in Tech Summit celebrated diversity in the technology industry.
IST alumni shared their experiences during a panel discussion at the Be You in Tech Summit.
More than 20 alumni presented and engaged with students in classes during the college's 25th anniversary celebration.
Students and alumni came together to enjoy BerkeyCreamery ice cream at the end of the spring semester.
Students and alumni came together to enjoy Berkey Creamery ice cream at the end of the spring semester
A panel of industry experts and Penn State faculty selected five student teams to share a prize pool of $15,500 in the final phase of the 2025 Nittany AI Challenge. The winning teams will use their prize money to continue developing projects that use artificial intelligence (AI) for good to solve pressing global issues.
A panel of industry experts and Penn State faculty selected five student teams to share a prize pool of $15,500 in the final phase of the 2025 Nittany AI Challenge. The winning teams will use their prize money to continue developing projects that use artificial intelligence (AI) for good to solve pressing global issues.
We sent our seniors out in style at the end of the spring semester during our Senior Celebration.
We sent our seniors out in style at the end of the spring semester during our Senior Celebration.
We sent our seniors out in style at the end of the spring semester during our Senior Celebration.
A group of students were selected to present their research to fellow students, faculty, and alumni during our Student Success Showcase.
A group of students were selected to present their research to fellow students, faculty, and alumni during our Student Success Showcase.
A group of students were selected to present their research to fellow students, faculty, and alumni during our Student Success Showcase.
-
Be You in Tech Summit: Four alumni panelists—and Ati Williams, star of Hack My Home on Netflix—engaged with more than 100 students at IST’s annual Be You in Tech Summit in February.
-
BLK Men in Tech: Members of the Penn State Chapter's E-Board were reminded of the importance of mentorship and representation in the world of tech.
-
Classroom Presentations: During the 25th Anniversary Open House last October, alumni engaged with IST classes in Westgate Building. They chatted with students about the careers and opportunities that lie ahead for IST grads.
-
Ice Cream Social: Students, alumni, and corporate leaders networked with sweet treats at the Dean’s Advisory Board event.
-
IST Undergraduate Student Council: Five alumni panelists joined the Council to talk about life after graduation.
-
Nittany AI Challenge: Alumni served as judges in the final phase of the Nittany AI Challenge.
-
Senior Celebration: Sponsored by the IST Alumni Society, this event welcomed 2025 graduates to have a photo taken in their cap and gown, get their alumni t-shirt, and more!
-
Student Success Showcase: Undergraduate and graduate students presented posters about their research projects, competition experiences, and more. (Thanks to the Alumni Board for sponsoring the t-shirts!).
-
WIRED IN I.T. Gala: At its second annual gala, WIRED IN welcomed Penn State football legend Deon Butler to share an inspiring message about career transitions and resilience.
With Sincere Appreciation
We are grateful to the following individuals who provided their time, energy, and expertise to the above programs throughout the year.
- Koby Allen ‘18
- Doug Balog
- Dave Brannon
- Deon Butler ’15g
- Nick Caponi ’19
- Darin Carter ’14
- Bertha Castaneda Guzman '17
- Dave Costlow ’03
- Cassidy DiPaola ’21
- John Esteves ’18
- Wyatt Gould ’22
- Peter Herr ’08
- C. Frank Igwé ’08g
- Rick Kaplan ’03
- Kelsey Karpinski ’16
- Corey Lee ’12
- Skylar Lyons ’05
- Chandra McMahon
- Vishal More ’15g
- Tracy Morris ’17
- Rod Murchison
- Colin Murphy ’03
- Heather Myers ’14, '17g
- Julio Ortiz ’08g
- Manasa Pisipati ’24g
- Karen Presley
- Chris Reesman ’05
- Joe Rosencrans ’09
- Bree Ryback ’07
- Jane Schneider ’23
- Neha Sharma ’17
- Steve Shively ’77 Eng
- Adam Stavely ’14
- Aaron Stricker ’18
- Melanie Treff ’19
- Mary Ward ’16
Get Involved
Share your expertise, experiences, and story to inspire future generations of IST students.
Also in This Issue
Exploring How to Give
A $1 million estate commitment from Greg Roszyk and Marnie Salisbury is another step in their longstanding journey of giving.
"Leadership Examples in Tech Rarely Look Like Me"
Jason Lucas is leveraging his personal experiences as an underrepresented student to drive his professional success and mentor the next generation of leaders.