Dear IST Alumni, Donors, and Friends,

September means the start of a new academic year. While some students are taking their first college courses, others are continuing their lifelong learning journey – a critical commitment for a successful career in technology. If you’re considering continuing your education, I encourage you to check out the College of IST’s residential and online graduate degree programs.

Our programs help emerging and established professionals gain new skills and become leaders in industry, academia, and government. Many graduate students hold undergraduate degrees in other fields and choose to advance their education at IST to address complex technological and social issues in their areas of expertise. For example, our new online graduate certificate in Information Systems Cybersecurity offers a critical bridge for individuals without an academic or professional background in cybersecurity to gain advanced education in the field. Twelve of the 15 credits earned in the program can also be used toward the completion of some of our master’s degrees.

If you (or someone in your network) are interested in expanding your expertise, switching industries, or changing careers, then explore our graduate programs. When you’re ready to take the next steps in your lifelong learning journey, contact us. We’re ready to help.

Andrew Sears, dean

Thursday, Oct. 13 from 6-8 p.m.

Southern Tier Brewing Co.

Join IST alumni to socialize and make new connections over food and drinks on the North Shore.

Wednesday, October 19 from 12-1 p.m.

Zoom link provided after registration

Participate in this intimate conversation with IST alumna Lauren Boland ’03, Senior Software Engineer at Motley Fool Wealth Management. Lauren will share her educational and professional perspectives, experiences, and successes as a transgender woman in technology. 

Hire an IST Student!

Check out the different ways your company can hire talented IST students:

• Post positions on Nittany Lion Careers. Employers can promote career and internship opportunities through Nittany Lion Careers, the University’s single-system recruiting platform for all students, alumni, and employers.
• Host a recruiting day on campus. Recruiting days are like mini-career fair that feature only one organization each day. Engage in deeper conversations that put your organization front and center with IST students.
• Schedule an information session. Employers can host information sessions about their organization in the evening or host information tables during the day. These events help students learn more about your organization, culture, professional opportunities, and more.

View additional ways to get involved here. When you’re ready to connect with IST students, contact Courtney Angstadt at crp5292@psu.edu or (814) 865-4509.

Take Advantage of the Alumni Library

If you’re an Alumni Association member but aren’t using the Alumni Library, you’re missing out on one of the most valuable benefits of membership. You can access premium databases and digitized collections, browse old issues of La Vie and The Daily Collegian, and even get genealogy assistance to learn about your ancestors. Not a PSAA member? Join here.

LionLink Projects Proposal Deadline – Sept. 16!

LionLink Projects uses the LionLink networking platform to connect established alumni with recent graduates and students eager to provide assistance. Students and recent graduates apply their knowledge and acquire real-world experience, and organizations gain support from talented Penn Staters. The deadline for alumni project sponsors to submit proposals is September 16. Click here to learn more and submit your project!

Aspiring professor Antonio Girona '18 pursues two higher IST degrees

New scholarship by Andy Duffett '05 opens doors for future cyber leaders

Stay informed: read the latest issue of iConnect magazine and subscribe to IST Headlines.

We love seeing IST alumni and students making connections in the workplace—especially while representing Penn State! Jennifer Brant-Gargan ’09 (second from left) is the chief information officer at Bacardi, where she had the opportunity to interact with IST interns Amanda Taiano, Divine Ukpaiama, and Ella Maquito this summer.

Do you have news or photos of workplace connections you’ve made with IST alumni or students? Share them by emailing alumni@ist.psu.edu.

Congrats to these IST alumni and their recent promotions and new positions:

• Maria Young ’14 Sr. Product Manager for Microsoft
• Austin Koring ’18 Engagement Manager, Business Intelligence, Data Science & Technology for iSOCRATES LLC

There’s a nap for that! Congratulations to 2012 IST grads Colleen and Frank Csech on their latest bundle of joy, Fiona, born in January.

(pictured left)

Congratulations to Angela Roberto Rex ’04 and Josh Rex ’05 and big sister Alexandria, who recently welcomed baby Jacqueline.

(pictured right)