IST Alumni and Friends Newsletter

March 2024

Dear IST Alumni and Friends, 

As our college’s interim dean for the past seven months, I’ve had the privilege of working with faculty and staff to support our students, advance our research, and engage our community. I’ve also had the opportunity to help coordinate the celebration of IST’s 25th anniversary. We’ll mark this milestone with fun and fellowship at our October 24-25 Happy Valley alumni event (save the date!). In the meantime, we’re spreading joy with the college’s newly sponsored ice cream flavor at the Berkey Creamery: IST Celebrates 25 Years Death by Chocolate! Enjoy it on campus or order online from April 1 through December 31. 

With this anniversary, we reflect on where we’ve been and look forward to where we’re going. You, our valued alumni and friends, will play an important role in our college’s future. I hope you’ll get involved, speak proudly of your IST connection, and use your voice to inspire our students. It truly makes a difference. 



Thank you for all you’ve done in our first 25 years. Here’s to the next 25 . . . and beyond! 

Andrea Tapia 

Interim Dean 

Upcoming Events

IST Identity Talks–Women in Tech: Know Your Worth

Philadelphia Alumni Gathering

New York City Alumni Gathering

For a full list of Penn State Alumni Association events, visit alumni.psu.edu/events.

Getting Involved

Join us to Celebrate IST's 25th Anniversary this Fall

The College of IST is set to celebrate 25 years since our doors opened! We’re planning a two-day alumni event in Happy Valley that includes the Alumni Symposium and the announcement of IST's 2024 alumni awards. Add the dates—October 24-25—to your calendar and stay tuned for more information!

Nominate a fellow alum for an IST Alumni Award

Our alumni are the best, and we want to honor you! The college is now accepting nominations for the 2024 IST Outstanding Alumni Award and the 2024 IST Emerging Professional Award. Questions can be directed to Kim Woodward, alumni relations and stewardship coordinator. 

Did you live in the IST Interest House?

We’re compiling a list of alumni who lived in the IST Interest House, now called the IST LLC (Living Learning Community). If you lived on a floor with other IST majors at University Park and are interested in interacting with current LLC students through mentorship or speaking on a panel, please contact Kim Woodward. Or fill out our alumni volunteer form and, under What is your inspiration for wanting to be an alumni volunteer, indicate that you’re an Interest House alum. Thank you! 

Share an internship opportunity with IST students

The Office of Career Solutions wants to connect you or your organization with current IST students to help them meet the college’s internship requirement: a 240-hour experience that can be in-person, hybrid, or fully remote. Internship opportunities and other career-related events—such as externships, professional development presentations, and companywide recruiting-focused information sessions—are shared on the Nittany Lion Careers job posting system, the University’s single-system recruiting platform for all students, alumni, and employers.

Participate in our Virtual Lunch and Learn forum

Join students in the Entrepreneurship and Innovation minor from 11:30 a.m. to noon on Friday, March 22 for a Virtual Lunch and Learn during Penn State Startup Week to discuss the conversational competencies that set apart the best innovative entrepreneurial teams.

Friday, March 22 

11:30 a.m.–noon (EST) 

News and Highlights

Alumni couple establishes endowed scholarship

IST alumnus Mark Poblete remains an active Penn Stater

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

Alumni Shout-Outs!

Congratulations to Sarah Gori ’08 on her promotion to director of security architecture at Aquia. 

Congratulations to Emely Reyes ’23 for starting a new position as a data processor and coder at Westat.   

Stay Connected

Do you have career or personal news you'd like to share with fellow IST alumni? Email us!

Update your information to stay informed of the latest IST news and events.  

ist.psu.edu