The Pennsylvania State University

Through its education, research and service activities, Penn State University applies technology expertise to advance public interest and promote public good across the Commonwealth, nationally and globally. The Public Interest Technology Network is an opportunity for Penn State to share and learn best practices from peer member institutions, contribute a pipeline of students and research to this nascent field through Penn State’s Law, Policy and Engineering initiative and campus-wide efforts, and foster collaboration among faculty and students across member institutions for broader impact.

Sandra Allain, Professor of Practice SEDTAPP, College of Engineering and International Affairs and Penn State PIT-UN Designee

Educational Offerings

Bridging the Digital Divide in Indian Country

X-Lab, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that addresses digital equity and access, seeks to address the urgent need raised by Native American allies to bolster broadband implementation capacity among tribes by developing technical expertise and educational resources through workshops and pilot deployments.

Principal Investigator

Sascha Meinrath, Palmer Chair in Telecommunications at Penn State and director of X-Lab

AI for Good, Experiential Learning and Innovation for PIT 

Faculty from the School of Engineering Design, Technology and Professional Programs will develop educational online modules and a PIT track within the existing Nittany AI Advance program.

Principal Investigator

Sandra Allain, Director of Law, Policy, and Engineering and Professor of Practice, School of International Affairs