Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology

When a summer internship was cut short for Nick Alico, a student at IST and Penn State Schreyer Honors College, due to COVID-19, he found a rewarding role as a data analytics intern for Viral Imaginations: Covid-19 -- an online gallery and archive that showcases Pennsylvanians’ experiences during the pandemic. https://news.psu.edu//shortened-internship-leads-rewarding

Caitlin Ferro ’10, cyber security engineer at Booz Allen Hamilton, is proud to work for a company that has put a lot of time and effort into growing its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiative. In addition to the many firm-sponsored diversity groups (such as individuals with disabilities, multicultural, GLOBE+) who host many of their own educational events, we hold an annual DEI summit and have rolled out independent assessments of our business and people practice... areas to determine how they impact Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC). There has definitely been an obvious emphasis on DEI at my organization and our leadership has made it known that this is something they really care about. IST congratulates Booz Allen Hamilton for being named among America’s Best Employers for Diversity by Forbes. #CelebrateDiversityMonth #CelebratingDiversity #DiversityInTech #diversityatwork

I believe that while we cannot change the world, I can change someone’s world. That belief is what drives IST’s Director of Administrative Operations and Faculty Affairs Karen Brewster in her spirit of volunteerism and community service. Karen was recently featured as a member of the 2021 class of Leadership Centre County, which trains members to work collaboratively for the good of the whole community through a 10-month exploration of local socioeconomic issues aimed to in...crease civic engagement in Centre County. Nominated for the organization by her colleagues at Penn State for her leadership and team-building experience, Karen hopes to use the experience for continued professional and personal development. Through her experience with LCC, she has been able to explore different venues and learn about many areas in our community where she can make a positive impact. Centre County is a wonderful place to live and raise a family. I have a genuine desire to pay this forward so that others can experience similar benefits that I have experienced. In addition to her involvement with LCC, Karen volunteers with the Youth Service Bureau’s Stormbreak Girls Group Home and with Out of the Cold Centre County. Thank you for all you do, Karen!

During her time at IST, Alair Moody-Daniels ’20 worked closely with the college’s Office of Inclusion and Diversity Engagement and became involved with activities such as: serving as president of the college’s Women, International, Racial, Ethnic, Diversity Intercultural Network (WIRED IN), attending the Richard Tapia Celebration of Diversity in Computing, and learning about AI biases in technology through work with Lynette Yarger, associate professor of IST. These opportun...ities enriched my college experience and honed my leadership. I’m thankful to have had this experience and encourage all students to utilize these resources within the college. Now, as a technology consultant at PwC, Alair has the opportunity to participate in the firm’s inclusion networks, such as the Black Inclusion Network and the FS Insurance Women’s Forum Celebrated by Women. She also participated in PwC’s Thrive Experience, an innovative, technology-enabled two-year experience for incoming Black and Latinx employees to get acclimated to the firm through cultural workshops, guest appearances, networking, connectivity, and leadership engagement. This opportunity allowed me to feel encouraged, supported, and connected at the firm while helping me foster meaningful and impactful relationships. All of these programs highlight PwC’s commitment to diversity and inclusion and how they’re making strides for an inclusive work environment. PwC is an IST Corporate Associate that was named among America’s Best Employers for Diversity by Forbes. #CelebrateDiversityMonth #CelebratingDiversity #DiversityInTech #diversityatwork

Congratulations to Ed Frymoyer, who received The Graduate School at Penn State Alumni Society Lifetime Achievement Award Ed has provided philanthropic support and volunteer leadership to the College IST since it was founded in 1998. His foundation established the first endowed faculty chair in the college, and he currently serves as an emeritus member of the IST Dean's Advisory Board.. "Introductions, sponsored meetings, and events were all part of Ed’s quest to make us known... to the technology hub of the country. He was able to do this because of the great respect he commanded across Silicon Valley. His status both professionally and socially opened doors that otherwise would have been closed to us. He was the driving force behind centers, courses, even the philosophy that was the bedrock of the college even today. - Jim Thomas, first dean of IST. https://news.psu.edu//graduate-school-alumnus-recognized-l