Penn State University · 1 month ago
Education Program Specialist, Nittany AI Challenge
Penn State University Park
Full-time
Hybrid
Mid Level
$56K/yr - $82K/yr
3+ years expPenn State University is seeking an Education Program Specialist for the Nittany AI Challenge, a role focused on fostering AI-driven innovations through student engagement. The specialist will manage the Challenge program, facilitating workshops and partnerships while guiding teams in developing prototypes to address societal issues.
Higher Education
No H1B
Responsibilities
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 sponsorships 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 in conducting 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 their initiatives with the broader goals of the Nittany AI Alliance
Provide strategic counsel to student leadership, encouraging cross-disciplinary collaboration and promoting AI literacy and innovation
Monitor and maintain the Challenge’s related budgets, optimizing the allocation of resources and ensuring financial stewardship
Strategically manage the funding process, from engaging sponsors to awarding prize money, emphasizing accountability and transparency
Maintain an active list of key stakeholders involved in the program and proactively engage the stakeholders for input, feedback, and participation
Identify opportunities to bring stakeholders together that support the Challenge, while also adding value to the stakeholder
Implement a feedback mechanism to provide stakeholders an opportunity to provide constructive feedback
Continuously evaluate and refine the Challenge program to remain aligned with emerging educational trends, including the integration of the new Penn State Undergraduate AI Degree
Collaborate with various entities to elevate the program's value proposition to all involved parties
Partner with marketing and PR teams to: amplify the visibility of Challenge events, maintain timely web updates, and spotlight participant achievements across Nittany AI platforms
Ensure the Challenge's digital presence reflects up-to-date, pertinent information that engages the broader AI community
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's Degree
3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
Required Certifications: None
Benefits
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
Robust retirement plans
Substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time
Generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children
Company
Penn State University
There’s a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world’s universities.
10001+ employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Hamza Jamjoom
Co-Founder - Arts & Architecture Student Council
Kara Pytko
Co-founder of Virtual Scientist Webinar Series
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