Education Program Specialist, Nittany AI

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

The Education Program Specialist, Nittany AI Challenge (EPSNAiC) plays a pivotal role in nurturing the development of AI-driven innovations through experiential student engagement. The EPSNAiC orchestrates the Nittany Ai Challenge, a dynamic, project-based learning environment where cross-disciplinary teams harness artificial intelligence (AI) to create prototypes with the power to address pressing societal issues.

Under the ethos of "AI for Good," the Nittany AI Challenge not only helps to equip students with AI/ML/LLMs related skills through workshops and mentoring, but also fosters a collaborative ecosystem involving students, nonprofit organizations, industry experts, government, and academia. The collective efforts of the Challenge program are aimed at preparing Penn State students for an AI-enabled future.

• Help to facilitate a series of workshops that bolster team synergy, support skill development in alignment with the new College of IST AI degree and foster a robust Nittany AI community.
• Partner with student organizations, faculty, and industry collaborators to catalyze participation and mentorship. This includes working with entities such as the Nittany AI Student Society and HackPSU, which play a key role in the Challenge's success.
• Oversee the development and periodic revision of the Nittany AI Challenge regulations, ensuring they mirror the core principles of the Nittany AI Alliance and facilitate faculty involvement in student projects.
• Establish relationships and engage key stakeholders, including alumni, industry partners, and local government agencies to advance Nittany AI's mission. For example, secure Nittany AI alumni working in industry to serve as team coaches and mentor Challenge participants.
• Recruit and coordinate judges from our stakeholder community to impartially evaluate team prototypes during the Challenge.
• Identify relationship management strategies with foundations and industry stakeholders, while supporting others in the procurement of sponsor ships to secure prize funding.

• Serve as the public-facing representative of the Challenge, ensuring all activities and engagements serve to expand and strengthen the Nittany AI community.
• Take charge of organizing and managing the annual Nittany AI Challenge program, ensuring that teams adhere to the guidelines and the spirit of the competition.
• Provide guidance and support throughout the phases of the prototype and MVP development process to all Challenge teams.
• Work with Nittany AI technical staff to conduct regularly scheduled meetings with Challenge teams to understand challenges and resource needs.
• Conduct debriefs with Challenge teams to gather feedback and assist in advancing their prototypes and MVPs within Penn State when appropriate.
• Work closely with Nittany AI Student Society, attend weekly meetings and help guide leadership to grow community and help educate students on the importance of AI as it relates to various majors/careers.
• Assist in organizing and scheduling a comprehensive yearly calendar of workshops. Ensure a balanced mix of topics that cater to the interests and needs of our audience. Keep an up-to-date record of all workshops, including past events and upcoming sessions. Ensure that all workshop information is accurate, current, and easily accessible.
• Serve as a primary contact point among SMEs, coaches, and student participants, enhancing the sense of community and fostering a collaborative environment.
• Work closely with the marketing & PR team to feature students and their achievements on Nittany AI Alliance platforms, promoting engagement and recognition within the AI community.
• Provide annual reporting of the results of the Challenge program to sponsors, stakeholders, program teams and partners.

• Serve as a key advisor to the Nittany AI Student Society and other student-oriented groups, guiding their direction and helping to align…