academic and careers

Contest explores artificial intelligence’s strengths, flaws for medical diagnoses

Penn State’s Center for Socially Responsible Artificial Intelligence (CSRAI) will host “Diagnose-a-thon,” a competition that aims to uncover the power and potential dangers of using generative AI for medical inquiries. The virtual event will take place Nov. 11-17 with top prizes of $1,000.  




academic and careers

Behrend to host Penn State Day Open House

Penn State Behrend will hold its annual Penn State Day admissions open house for prospective students from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 12.




academic and careers

Teaching and Learning with Technology announces 2024-2026 Faculty Fellows cohort

Penn State’s Teaching and Learning with Technology (TLT), part of Penn State University Libraries, has welcomed five University instructors across three campuses into its Faculty Fellows cohort for 2024-26 and started collaborating on a new collection of projects. Faculty chosen for the Faculty Fellows program team up with TLT on innovative technology projects, with past endeavors spanning a broad spectrum from learning spaces to virtual reality/immersive experiences to data-empowered learning.




academic and careers

Behrend women’s soccer team posts third consecutive shutout

The Penn State Behrend women’s soccer team is 4-0 in Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference Play. The Lions have shut out their opponents in the last three matches, including a 10-0 win over Pitt-Bradford.




academic and careers

Penn State Behrend dedicates new Glenhill Gardens greenspace

The new Glenhill Gardens at Penn State Behrend preserves the original footprint of the Behrend family pool while creating a new, community-focused gathering space in the historic core of the Behrend campus.




academic and careers

$5 million gift endows directorship of Behrend’s School of Engineering

A $5 million endowment and estate gift has created Penn State Behrend's first named school directorship: The James R. Meehl Director of the School of Engineering. The fund also will support Behrend's School of Science.




academic and careers

Behrend women win AMCC tennis championship

The Penn State Behrend women’s tennis team won the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference championship with a 4-0 defeat of Pitt-Greensburg on Oct. 20. The win earned the Lions their first conference title since 2000.




academic and careers

Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation named 2024 Foundation Partner of the Year

Penn State has named the Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation its 2024 Foundation Partner of the Year.




academic and careers

Behrend bowling team wins twice against D’Youville

The Penn State Behrend women’s bowling team won two matches against D’Youville on Oct. 26. The Lions lost the Baker-format match, 1-4.




academic and careers

$6.5 million grant advances Penn State Behrend's Project RESOLVE

A $6.5 million state grant has positioned Penn State Behrend to begin construction of the Center for Manufacturing Competitiveness, an industry-facing research facility and the centerpiece of the college's Project RESOLVE.




academic and careers

Behrend cross-country teams win AMCC Championships

Penn State Behrend’s cross-country teams won the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference Championships at the Westmoreland Fairgrounds on Nov. 2. The men’s team claimed a fifth-consecutive title. The women’s team won a sixth-straight title.




academic and careers

Behrend student finds his voice in student government

As president of Penn State Behrend’s Student Government Association, Zane Lewis is a conduit between students and the college’s administration. “My role is to act as a voice and to advocate for their issues,” he says.




academic and careers

Behrend soccer teams win AMCC championships

Penn State Behrend’s soccer teams won the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference championships on Nov. 9 and will advance to the NCAA Division III tournament. The men’s team defeated Alfred State, winning 5-4 in a penalty-kick shootout. The women’s team defeated Pitt-Greensburg, 4-0.




academic and careers

National cyber director discusses need for homegrown workforce

National Cyber Director Harry Coker, Jr. met with representatives from Penn State and local technology companies to discuss the importance of tech and cyber education in the commonwealth. 




academic and careers

Introducing the Penn State Alumni Association's Young Alumni Ambassadors

Sixteen recent graduates were selected by the Penn State Alumni Association as Young Alumni Ambassadors for the 2024-25 academic year. August 2024, December 2024 and May 2025 graduates are encouraged to apply for the 2025-26 class of ambassadors when applications become available.




academic and careers

Penn State graduate returns to Beaver campus to discuss impact of alcohol

Dr. Elizabeth Zona will present “Beyond the Buzz: Understanding Alcohol’s Impact on Students” at 6 p.m. Oct. 16 in the Penn State Beaver Auditorium. Zona, a 2002 Penn State graduate, is a double board-certified physician, specializing in both anesthesiologist and addiction medicine. Her appearance is part of an ongoing program funded through the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s Reducing Underage Drinking and Dangerous Drinking Grant.




academic and careers

Annual Lion's Den competition returns to Penn State Beaver

It’s year nine of Lion’s Den, a "Shark Tank"-style student idea pitching competition, at Penn State Beaver. This year students are invited to enter ideas for starting a business.




academic and careers

Barnes and Noble College announces 2024-25 grants to programs across University

Barnes and Noble College — a Barnes and Noble Education company that operates the Penn State Bookstore — has continued its longtime partnership with the University and the Penn State Corporate Engagement Center to award a 2024-25 round of grants supporting a range of programs and initiatives across the commonwealth.




academic and careers

Deer, seedlings and soil pH influence local forest regeneration

New findings from long-term research underscore the challenges managers face when trying to conserve Penn’s Woods. The seven-year study, conducted by a team of researchers from Penn State, the Pennsylvania Game Commission and Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is the first to simultaneously assess how deer browsing, soil nutrients and competing vegetation affect tree regeneration in Keystone State forests.




academic and careers

Barnes & Noble College grant funds mental health, neurodiversity initiative 

A grant from Barnes & Noble College will fund Penn State Beaver Thrives, an initiative designed to help the campus and local community become more inclusive. The resources and programming of Penn State Beaver Thrives will focus on mental health and neurodiversity. The first program will be a dyslexia simulation program.




academic and careers

Students use generative AI for creative inspiration, team building projects

Students in Ashu Kumar’s information technology and information systems classes are learning how to use generative artificial intelligence through a unique approach to teaching.




academic and careers

Penn State Extension in Beaver County relocates to Penn State Beaver campus

The Penn State Extension office in Beaver County has relocated to Penn State Beaver campus in Monaca from its previous location on Third Street in Beaver. An open house for the public will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Nov. 18.




academic and careers

Scientists examine how wastewater practices in Florida Keys impact water quality

Wastewater contains nutrients that can overfeed algae, leading to harmful algal blooms and pollution issues in the ocean and other waterways. A new study by researchers at Penn State tracked how these nutrients migrate from disposal sites in the Florida Keys, and the results have already informed wastewater practices in the region.




academic and careers

$1.3M NSF grant to fund research into restoration of degraded ecosystems

An international team of researchers led by Ida Djenontin, assistant professor of geography at Penn State, was recently awarded a $1.3 million grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Dynamics of Integrated Socio-Environmental Systems program to investigate the socioecological outcomes of restoration in degraded woodlands ecosystems.




academic and careers

Eco-friendly 'LionGlass' developed at Penn State to be showcased at Nov. 8 event

A new type of eco-friendly glass developed by researchers at Penn State offers higher crack resistance, potentially allowing for thinner, lighter and more sustainable products. “LionGlass” will be the subject of PSAA Presents: EMS Showcase, an event on Nov. 8 hosted by the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences in partnership with the Penn State Alumni Association.




academic and careers

Penn State mining expert testifies before Congress on critical minerals needs

Mining expert Barbara Arnold, professor of practice in mining engineering, joined a panel of experts to discuss how the United States will need to make dramatic advances to increase its technical- and skilled-labor workforce to power its green energy future and to become less reliant on foreign nations for securing materials used in both everyday devices and critical national security applications.




academic and careers

'EMS Reads' speaker to discuss influence of politics, racism on climate change

Laura Pulido, Collins Chair and professor of Indigenous, race, and ethnic studies and geography at the University of Oregon, is the featured speaker for the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences’ 2024 EMS Reads program. She will give the keynote lecture at 6 p.m. on Wednesday Nov. 13, in Paterno Library's Foster Auditorium on Penn State's University Park campus.




academic and careers

Local Climate Action Program and World Campus alum honored in Orange County

Penn State’s Local Climate Action Program is making a valuable impact beyond Pennsylvania’s borders, thanks in part to Joe Thompson, a World Campus Energy and Sustainability Policy graduate. Thompson was recently honored at a ceremony hosted by the San Diego chapter of the Climate Action Campaign, for his help in creating the City of Orange climate action plan.




academic and careers

Penn State delegation will head to Azerbaijan for UN's annual climate meeting

Penn State will be sending its second delegation of students and faculty to COP29, the United Nations’ annual climate meeting, which will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, in November.




academic and careers

Schreyer students speak to trustees on importance of Penn State honors college

Second-year student Morgan Dawkins and fifth-year student Olivia DiPrinzio spoke to the Board of Trustees about their experiences with the Schreyer Honors College. Honors programming has allowed them to find guidance, craft a courseload specific to their interests and find opportunities for professional development. 




academic and careers

Brandywine Student Spotlight: Om Trivedi

Om Trivedi is a second-year student at Penn State Brandywine with a major in computer science. He was attracted to Penn State by the University's 2+2 program, which will allow him to transition to University Park for his final two years.




academic and careers

Prospective students invited to Penn State Day at Brandywine campus on Oct. 26

Prospective students and their families are invited to attend a visitation program at Penn State Brandywine at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26, in the Commons/Athletic Center gymnasium. The event is part of the University’s "Penn State Day."




academic and careers

Brandywine Student Spotlight: Samantha Pitcher

Penn State Brandywine’s Student Spotlight series highlights the remarkable work being done by students in leadership, academics, service, athletics and more.




academic and careers

Penn State Brandywine to host annual Homecoming & Family Day on Oct. 26

Penn State Brandywine will host its annual Homecoming & Family Day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26.




academic and careers

Brandywine Student Spotlight: Trinity Jones

Penn State Brandywine’s Student Spotlight series highlights the remarkable work being done by students in leadership, academics, service, athletics and more.




academic and careers

Brandywine Student Spotlight: Maddie Ferguson

Penn State Brandywine’s Student Spotlight series highlights the remarkable work being done by students in leadership, academics, service, athletics and more.




academic and careers

Brandywine community shows its Penn State pride at Homecoming

The Brandywine community showed its Penn State pride at the campus' annual Homecoming & Family Day on Oct. 26. The day featured carnival games, an alumni reception, face painting, a petting zoo and more.




academic and careers

David Rosenberg and Moyer family named 2024 Fundraising Volunteers of the Year

Penn State has named David Rosenberg, a 1974 graduate of the College of Health and Human Development and longtime supporter of Penn State Brandywine, and the Moyer family, whose transgenerational giving has benefited multiple units across the University, as the 2024 Fundraising Volunteers of the Year.




academic and careers

Conference to focus on moral decision-making research

Penn State’s Consortium on Moral Decision-Making and Moral Psychology Research Group are co-hosting a conference Nov. 15-17 to highlight interdisciplinary research on moral and ethical decision-making.




academic and careers

Penn State Brandywine celebrates Homecoming & Family Day

Penn State Brandywine celebrated its annual Homecoming & Family Day on Oct. 26. With more 500 guests in attendance, and in collaboration with Penn State Day, Homecoming & Family Day was packed with alumni, prospective and current students, families, and friends participating in various activities.




academic and careers

Brandywine Student Spotlight: Nick Pananos

Penn State Brandywine’s Student Spotlight series highlights the remarkable work being done by students in leadership, academics, service, athletics and more.




academic and careers

Brandywine Student Spotlight: Julia D’Orazio

Penn State Brandywine’s Student Spotlight series highlights the remarkable work being done by students in leadership, academics, service, athletics and more.




academic and careers

Penn State Brandywine and Berks collaborate for Idea TestLab at Great Valley

Penn State Brandywine's and Penn State Berks' LaunchBoxes collaborated with Penn State Great Valley to hold the Fall 2024 Idea TestLab Pitch Competition on Nov. 4. Six startup business owners participated in the competition. 




academic and careers

Brandywine, Berks LaunchBoxes collaborate with Great Valley for pitch competition

Penn State Brandywine’s and Penn State Berks’ LaunchBoxes, powered by Penn State, collaborated with Penn State Great Valley to hold the fall 2024 Idea TestLab Pitch Competition on Nov. 4. Six startup entrepreneurs participated in the competition, which was held at Great Valley.




academic and careers

Three Teachers, One Test Question: Will Their Responses Differ?

Education Week asked three 8th grade teachers to evaluate real student responses to an open-ended question on the National Assessment of Educational Progress in social studies. Here's what they said.





academic and careers

Teachers Should Design Student Assessments. But First They Need to Learn How

"When the day came to administer the first test I had designed," writes Brandon Lewis, "my heart sank."




academic and careers

The Five Big Challenges Ahead for Advanced Placement

AP has managed to dodge the partisan pitfalls that have felled other ambitious curricular efforts—so far, write Chester E. Finn Jr. and Andrew E. Scanlan.




academic and careers

What Is Performance Assessment?

Here's a handy glossary on terms like project-based learning, competency-based learning, and standards-based grading.




academic and careers

How to Assess Group Projects: It's About Content and Teamwork

Group projects founder when students don't work well together. Here's the latest thinking on evaluating students on both content mastery and collaboration skills.